Château La Cabanne 2020

A little austere, with clear richness to the black cherry fruit and a grilled cedar edge, but it loses momentum through the mid-palate. You will find more powerful Pomerols; but they have clearly worked to avoid pushing extraction, and this is easy to enjoy, with a slow build to the tannins that is attractive. A yield of 37hl/ha. No added sulphur during vinification.

A plush and polished Pomerol with sweet blackberry, hazelnut, and chocolate character. It’s full-bodied and layered with velvety tannins and a cedar undertone to the finish. 96% merlot and 4% cabernet franc. Try after 2026.

Full bottle 1,331 g. Cask sample. 96% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc. Very dark with purple rim. Lifted red and black fruits on the nose, with a hint of cough linctus. Oaky and a little charry too. Ripe and fresh at the same time, giving a sweet-sour finish. Nice freshness to balance all that fruit. Straightforward but should gain complexity in the bottle. Tannins already smoothed by the oak. (JH)

The 2020 La Cabanne has a classy bouquet, a mixture of red and black fruit, undergrowth, pencil lead and light floral scents. The palate is medium-bodied with finely sculpted tannins, fresh and saline, with an energetic, tensile, very focused finish that lingers on the palate. I can see this aging very well in bottle. Excellent.

With a distinctive, floral nature, the wine is soft, silky and fresh, with a gorgeous purity to the fruits, elegant textures, medium body, and a fresh, sweet, silky, creamy, red-fruit-filled finish. This is my favorite vintage of La Cabanne since the gorgeous 2015. Drink from 2023–2045.

Dark ruby, purple reflections, brightening on the rim. Fresh red cherries, wild berry compote, delicate tobacco nuances, mineral, a touch of orange zest. Juicy, medium complexity, fine tannins, discreet fruit expression on the finish, mineral touch; already accessible.

A blend of 96% Merlot and 4% Cabernet Franc, the 2020 Château La Cabanne reveals a dense purple hue to go with intense aromatics of black cherries, ripe strawberries, new saddled leather, camphor, and sweet flowers. This pretty, medium-bodied, elegant Pomerol has light tannins, a seamless, layered mouthfeel, and outstanding length. It's certainly not the biggest or richest Pomerol in the vintage, but it shines for its elegant, finesse-driven style and is impeccably balanced.

Kunz Fassprobe 2021: silky, fresh, delicately mineral bouquet, redcurrants, cherries, fine nougat. Creamy, balanced, full palate with sweet fruit, fine tannins, dense structure, powerful, fresh aromatics, long, aromatic finish. Can improve further.

Fine, deep, delicately mineral bouquet, blackberries, cherries, slate, liquorice. Fruity, powerful palate with good dark fruit, fine tannins, a velvety, finely muscular structure, intense aromatics, long, full finish. Still has room to improve. 17/20 2026 - 2042

Chewy tannins, good quality with bulk and bite, tasty, sappy, lip-smacking Pomerol with grilled cedar and sweet damson fruit. Estager winemaker;

A lively attack for this 2020, which is round, enveloping, refined and flavorful, with lovely acidity that carries through to a very fresh finish. It lingers indulgently on vibrant red fruit, with fine, supple tannins.

Depth and plurality go hand in hand while avoiding exuberance. Finesse and detail take precedence. With good density, the wine is carried by velvety tannins, while the structure works in the background, bringing freshness and brightness, which is welcome given the breadth. An inviting wine that will still require a little patience.

The nose is elegant, with a sunny character and controlled power. You sense a fine grain, both powerful and delicate, lending an airy character. There are notes of boysenberry, ripe blue fruits and, more subtly, vanilla, joined by touches of cardamom and roasted strawberries, with delicate hints of incense, toasted almond and toasted hazelnut. The palate is fruity, with minerality and a slight oiliness that brings roundness and a certain indulgence. This is a wine of lightness and control, with tension, precision, beautiful energy, and very discreetly firm density. We find notes of pulpy, juicy blackberry, vibrant violet plum, and, more delicately, tangy pulpy blackcurrant, alongside touches of blueberries and lily, as well as hints of fairly ripe tangy red berries, plus notes of vanilla, cardamom, mocha, and fine toasty nuances. It’s a sapid wine with a touch of sweetness on a persistent finish. Gourmet, sunny yet balanced with a certain acidity, a faint graphite note emerges on the fresh finish.

Wine with a fruity nose, pleasant and light on the palate. Medium body and length.

The initial nose opens with cosmetic, pomade-like notes from which delicate violet aromas emerge. The palate, fairly rounded, would benefit from a bit more substance. It is framed by slightly austere tannins.

Restrained start, delicate dark-berry contours, dark precious wood, Brazilian tobacco and graphite. On the compact palate with a soft texture and sandy extract, tightly knit body. In the focused finish, blue berries, cherry jam and tarragon; cannot quite uphold the good en primeur result.

91–93. Barrel Sample. This wine, almost pure Merlot, has the opulence to be expected from the grape. The fruit is so dense that the tannins are buried but are certainly there and will allow this juicy, black fruit flavored wine to age gracefully.