St. Émilion, Libournais, Bordeaux, France
2020 vintage. 75% Merlot, 24% Cabernet Franc and 1% Cabernet Sauvignon. Owned by the Despagne family since 1812, and the current 7th generation (François Despagne) seems to be serious about quality. This 2020 displays impressive aromatics, concentration, depth, and precision, with fresh acidity balancing the 15% abv.
2020 vintage. 75% Merlot, 24% Cabernet Franc and 1% Cabernet Sauvignon. Owned by the Despagne family since 1812, and the current 7th generation (François Despagne) seems to be serious about quality. This 2020 displays impressive aromatics, concentration, depth, and precision, with fresh acidity balancing the 15% abv.
Apr 16th, 2024
Rebuy. And provide notes.
92+ points
Rebuy. And provide notes.
92+ points
Mag. Traditional style, inky purple, dark fruit, cassis, lead, lots of structure still. Not sure this has another gear but enjoyable now and should hold
Mag. Traditional style, inky purple, dark fruit, cassis, lead, lots of structure still. Not sure this has another gear but enjoyable now and should hold
Nov 26th, 20212006 vintage. Age starting to show and nicely. Soft.
2006 vintage. Age starting to show and nicely. Soft.
Aug 7th, 2021
Good smell. Not yet old! Good condition!
Good smell. Not yet old! Good condition!
Jan 5th, 2021
Floral and Earth. Red fruit and focus. Nice grip. Classy and needs time.
Floral and Earth. Red fruit and focus. Nice grip. Classy and needs time.
Nov 4th, 2019
Drank 10/9/19
Classic right bank nose opens with plums, earth, some cassis, and just a hint of cedar. Velvety black fruit leather, and a touch of green from the cab franc, with medium, well integrated tannins lend support to the medium+ body. A well made wine from a good producer, in an average vintage.
4/21/8/4/4+50=91 pts.
Drank 10/9/19
Classic right bank nose opens with plums, earth, some cassis, and just a hint of cedar. Velvety black fruit leather, and a touch of green from the cab franc, with medium, well integrated tannins lend support to the medium+ body. A well made wine from a good producer, in an average vintage.
4/21/8/4/4+50=91 pts.
Typically a producer from Saint-Émilion that ages well, this is either one of those wines that is now headed down the slow path to oblivion or perhaps it’s just in a weird spot. This started off with a touch of overripe fruit mixed with some secondary characteristics of soggy decomposing forest floor. The tannins were still pretty strong and this drank similarly for three days. Yet...there was something there in the final glass on Day 3 that made me think this may yet have years to go. The problem is, I don’t see this all of a sudden turning into anything stunning in 2025.
Typically a producer from Saint-Émilion that ages well, this is either one of those wines that is now headed down the slow path to oblivion or perhaps it’s just in a weird spot. This started off with a touch of overripe fruit mixed with some secondary characteristics of soggy decomposing forest floor. The tannins were still pretty strong and this drank similarly for three days. Yet...there was something there in the final glass on Day 3 that made me think this may yet have years to go. The problem is, I don’t see this all of a sudden turning into anything stunning in 2025.
Sep 12th, 2019
Comes off as a bit green and hard, with an overlay of woody / earthy notes. Good density though. No improvement overnight.
Comes off as a bit green and hard, with an overlay of woody / earthy notes. Good density though. No improvement overnight.
Feb 17th, 2019
