Chateau Hosanna 2020

It has finesse and a promising touch of elegance, nicely rounded out by well-judged oak; as always, especially seductive and smooth, and excellently crafted.

Well-formed, with a solid core of cassis, plum reduction and blackberry compote notes that stretch out slowly, supported by wood spice, dried anise and apple wood accents along the way. A late tug of warm earth and sweet tobacco adds depth and length. Captures the exotic edge of the vintage without losing focus -- no easy feat. Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2026 through 2038. 1,200 cases made, 85 cases imported.

94–96. Barrel Sample. The wine's dense tannins give an inkling of how well it will develop. It has power yet lightly touched with acidity and black currant fruits. The smoky aftertaste adds to the complexity.

Lively on the nose, so expressive but in a lifted, bright and lively way, not so dark and brooding—more “look how pretty I am right now”. Floral and dark fruit—blackcurrant, plum, red cherry—powerful yet poised too; it has elegance and charisma from the start. Bright acidity gives a slightly strict frame, but the fruit, tannins, acidity and oak handling are supremely good. It feels so beautiful, a touch shy, with liquorice edges and some dark chocolate elements. Supremely easy to like, and you can see the star quality here. It’s intense and concentrated, yet it shimmers and shines in the glass. The purity is exceptional and I love the balance and length. Detailed and beautifully crafted—what a wine!

So aromatic and fresh with black olives, black truffles, gravel and dried flowers. Milk chocolate. Ovaltine. Full-bodied with fantastic old-vine tannins. Layered and very structured. Goes deep and down. One for the cellar. Superb. Maybe the best ever. 80% merlot and the rest cabernet franc. Needs ten years here.

The 2020 Hosanna has a spellbinding bouquet with beautifully-defined red berry fruit, incense and dried flower aromas, underlying graphite notes surfacing with modest aeration. There is real power and drive in these aromatics. The palate is medium-bodied with quite a strict opening. Finely-chiseled tannins, very focused, slightly earthy in style, this is endowed with a compelling sense of build towards the finish. This is a Hosanna with great breeding and predestined for long-term aging.

Rich, earthy, and incredibly floral, the nose also reveals nuances of black and blue fruits, plum, truffle, and cocoa. The wine is full-bodied, supple, and rich, with multiple layers of ripe, opulent, sweet plum, cherry, blackberry, blueberry, and dark chocolate, all supported by ripe tannins and freshness on the palate. Built to age and evolve, it stands as a contender for one of the top vintages of Hosanna ever produced. Drink from 2027–2055.

Dark ruby, opaque core, purple reflections, faint ochre brightening on the rim. Fine dark wild berry blend, a hint of ripe black cherry, a touch of cedar, fresh orange zest, attractive bouquet. Juicy, elegant, balanced, blackberry, fine tannins, mineral and long lasting, a sophisticated style, pleasant spiciness on the finish, certain ageing potential.

It shows a very refined perfume, floral with violet notes, raspberry, blackberry, fine spices and a mild hint of oak, almost a Burgundian feel to it especially on the palate being dense and voluminous yet so supple and fluid, excellent drinkability despite its sheer youth, magnificent balance and length, should improve a lot but one of the most complete young wines amongst all of the 2020:s.

A big, explosive beast of a wine, the 2020 Château Hosanna comes from a small 11-acre vineyard of gravelly, clay soils and it's 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Franc. Decadent red and black fruits, smoked tobacco, loamy earth, chocolate, and some meaty, iron-like nuances all emerge on the nose, and this round, full-bodied, expansive Pomerol has a great mid-palate, ripe tannins, and a blockbuster of a finish. It's one of the more opulent, overtly sexy wines of the vintage, and this beauty is going to offer incredible pleasure over the coming 25-30 years.

Kunz Fassprobe 2021: (75% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc) A velvety, creamy, fruity and powerful bouquet with strawberry, blackberry jelly, dark chocolate and a subtle touch of liquorice. The palate is densely knit, creamy and finely opulent, with dark, intense fruit, fine tannins, a creamy texture, a varied, sweet aromatic profile, and a long, dense, generously proportioned finish with plenty of lingering flavours. Can still improve.

(75% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc) Velvety, creamy, fruity, powerful bouquet with notes of strawberries, blackberry jelly, dark chocolate and a touch of fine liquorice. Tightly knit, creamy, subtly opulent palate with dark, intense fruit, fine tannins, a creamy texture, complex, gently sweet aromatics, and a long, dense, generously ample finish with plenty of echoing flavours. Can still improve. 18/20 2027 - 2048

A blend of 75% Merlot and 25% Cabernet Franc, the 2020 Hosanna has a deep garnet-purple color. It requires a swirl or two before it erupts with powerful scents of plum preserves, black raspberries, and fruitcake, giving way to hints of lilacs, bay leaves, and wet slate. The full-bodied palate is densely laden with expressive black and blue fruits, supported by velvety tannins and balancing freshness, finishing long, fragrant, and beautifully poised.

94-95

A heady, shimmering nose with notes of spice, ripe fruit and dark chocolate. An ultra-juicy palate, plenty of chew yet with real lightness, and a deliciously mocha finish.