2020 Chateau Petit Village - Pomerol AC

Decanter.com -93pts - JA: *Plenty of changes to keep track of here, as they look to focus the blend on the historic heart of the vineyard (around 50% of the total), and also keeping separate any young vines (meaning under eight years), and any that have viruses. Elegant, inky damson colour, a ton of density and intensity, but the tannins are supple and fragrant, they cradle rather than close in. Pulses of saltine crackers ripple through the blackberry fruit, and this has a ton of charm. Aged in 50% new oak, and using some larger sized oak casks and a few amphora as an experiment. A yield of 27hl/ha. First year in organic conversion. Harvested 8 September to 15 for the Merlot, and for the Cabernets just one day on September 23. Technical director Diana Berrouet-Garcia. Rainfall low in both July and August as everywhere in Pomerol - 2mm in July and 25mm August. New owners (the Moulin family of Galeries Lafayette, shared with neighbouring estate Beauregard). 3.8pH. You will also find a slightly lighter bottle as of this vintage, and a new label. Drinking Window 2026 - 2038"* - 05/21

Falstaff Magazin - (94-96) pts - US: *Verschlossen, etwas pfeffrig, Menthol, zurückhaltender Holzeinsatz, leicht floral. Mit Luftkontakt immer schwarzbeeriger, sehr pur, klar und nuanenreich. Im Mund homogen und fein, seidig bis feinkörnig im Gerbstoff und trotzdem zum Kauen, kultivierte Säure. Eine sehr intensive taktile Mineralität, ganz elegant in den opulenten Körper eingebaut.* - 05/2021

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate - 93-95+pts - LPB: *Composed of 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Franc, the opaque purple-black colored 2020 Petit Village storms out of the glass with powerful scents of blackberry preserves, plum pudding and blueberry pie, plus hints of mocha, molten licorice, dried mint, sassafras and violets with a hint of vanilla pod. The medium to full-bodied palate delivers mouth-coating black fruit preserves with loads of spicy and floral accents, supported by plush tannins and just enough freshness, finishing on a lingering minty note. Impressive!* - 05/21

WeinWisser – 19/20pts - WL: *60 % Merlot, 32 % Cabernet Franc, 8 % Cabernet Franc, pH: 3.8, 27 hl/ha. Tiefes Purpur mit opaker Mitte und zartem lila Rand. Sehr konzentriertes Bouquet mit schwarzbeerigen Konturen und tiefschürfender Terroirwürze, dahinter verführerisches Veilchenparfüm, Lakritze und schwarze Johannisbeerdrops. Am sublimen Gaumen mit seidiger Textur, fein körniges Extrakt, engmaschiges Tanningerüst, sehr geradliniger Körper. Im vielschichtigen energiegeladenen Finale schwarze Kirsche, Zedernholz und dunkle Mineralik. Ein Gigant aus Pomerol, so gut wie noch nie!* – 04/2021

JancisRobinson.com - 16,5++/20pts - JH: *Black core right out to the purplish rim. Very ripe black fruit – damson and black cherry – sweet-smelling, and more so with the sweetness of the oak. Firm, dry, smooth texture, like many layers of paper. Big but with such refined tannin texture – and not what I expected when it smelt so ripe. Just enough freshness and lots of dark chocolate on the finish. For those who love balanced and elegant richness. Long and promising in that style.* - 04/2021

JamesSuckling.com - 97-98pts - JS: *Firm and linear tannins frame this young Bordeaux beautifully with blackberry, walnut and hazelnut character. Gorgeous center palate. It’s racy and refined. Creamy-textured tannins with length. Really pure and focused. Very transparent. Finesse. Best ever? 60% merlot, 32% cabernet franc and 8% cabernet sauvignon.* - 05/21

Vinous.com - (92-94) pts - AG: *The 2020 Petit-Village is a gorgeous wine. In fact, it is one of the best wines I have tasted here. Inky, aromatically expressive and beautifully layered in the glass, the 2020 is compelling right out of the gate. The 2020 boasts superb energy, tension and class. Could this be a turning point for the estate? We will see. For now, the 2020 is certainly compelling. The 2020 represents about 50% of the estate´s production as opposed to two-thirds, which was more the norm when Petit-Village was part of AXA.* - 06/2021

The Wine Cellar Insider - 93-95pts - JL: *Dark in color, the wine quickly focuses on its floral, plum, spice, licorice and earthy character. The wine is medium-bodied, silky and fresh with a sensuous, supple textured, sexy finish. This is the best vintage of Petit Village I have tasted in ages. The wine is a blend of 60% Merlot, 32 Cabernet Franc and 8% Cabernet Sauvignon. This is the first vintage to show off its new, stylish label and wax capsule.* - 05/21