Chateau Larmande 2020

Forward and upfront, good liveliness to this, with bright acidity but also just a gorgeous, creamy blue fruit element - ripe and fresh blueberry. Not massively complex or nuanced right now, but framed well. Stylish and linear, sleek is the best word, but it's more clean and clear with precision and a sublime clarity. Not much weight, tannins are integrated, then just a hint of clove on the finish. Either it's supremely elegant and just a light refreshing style or it's a little shy right now. Either way, this offers lots of appeal. Salty liquorice, slight austerity, too, and good potential. Elegantly floral.

A medium-bodied red with plum, chocolate and berry aromas and flavors. Pine needles. Medium-firm tannins and a walnut, hazelnut undertone to the finish. Crushed stones at the end. 65% merlot, 30% cabernet franc and 5% cabernet sauvignon. Better after 2025 but already approachable.

77% Merlot, 19% Cabernet Franc, 4% Cabernet Sauvignon. Cask sample. Compact, fresh and fruity with a light but fine tannic frame. Red-berry aromas with a slight lactic note. Harmonious. Doesn’t try too hard. (JL)

The 2020 Larmande is still a little bashful on the nose, but one can appreciate the delineation and purity – blackberry, raspberry and a light tang of marmalade. It unfurls nicely in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with relatively light tannins, quite old school in a way, fresh and saline with an understated finish. This has personality and charm.

Medium-bodied, the red fruits have a savory, peppery edge, which shows on the palate and in the fresh, crisp, savory, spicy, red-berry, chalky finish. Drink from 2024-2042.

Dark ruby, purple reflections, slight brightening at the rim. Fine nuances of dark cherries, candied orange zest, a touch of cassis; the higher Cabernet content (35%) is noticeable. Medium-bodied, good freshness, pickled cherries, fine tannins, a touch of chocolate on the finish; elegant, a versatile food wine with ageing potential.

Another brilliant 2020 Saint-Emilion, the 2020 Château Larmande exhibits a deep ruby/purple hue as well as a perfumed, intense style in its black raspberry, currant, graphite, chalky mineral, and violet-tinged aromas and flavors. Medium to full-bodied on the palate, it has the ripe yet present tannins of the vintage, a wonderful sense of freshness and purity, and outstanding length. Give it just a few years and enjoy over the following 15-20 years.

Purple with violet highlights. Intense bouquet of blackberry, sour cherry juice and violet, followed by licorice and light malt. On the dense palate, soft texture, finely sandy extract, supporting tannins, hearty notes in the background and a medium body. Aromatic finish with blue berries, rosewood and juniper.

Kunz barrel sample 2021: herbal, restrained bouquet, cherries, wood, pepper. A firm, medium-bodied palate with good fruit, powdery tannins, light aromatics, muscular structure, and a bitter finish. Still has room to improve.

Herbs, restrained bouquet, cherries, wood, pepper. A firm, medium-bodied palate with good fruit, powdery tannins, light aromatics, muscular structure, and a bitter finish. Can improve further. 16/20 2025 - 2036

A touch of austerity on the opening, softening to show sleek and juicy red cherry fruit and plenty of lemongrass and slate, limestone signature. Tasted twice. 17ha, Bertrand de Villaines director, owner La Mondiale.

The 2020 Larmande is composed of 65% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. Medium to deep garnet-purple in color, it leaps with vibrant scents of Bing cherries, raspberry coulis, and black plums, followed by suggestions of spearmint, lavender, and underbrush, with an exotic waft of cumin seed. The medium- to full-bodied palate has a solid foundation of firm, rounded tannins and compelling tension to support the energetic red and black fruit layers, finishing long and lifted.

91-92

The nose is ripe and luxurious, blending aromas of fresh red fruits and spice. The palate is broad and juicy, vibrant and elegant, with a lovely chew and a refined tannic structure.

Freshness is a common thread at Larmande, something you can truly appreciate during vertical tastings by sampling, for example, 1982, 2012, 2018 and 2019 beforehand. One of 2020’s clear challenges is to showcase freshness, and not just on the nose. The wine is delicate, elegant, and supported by compact, precise tannins. Even the acidic structure comes through, lending freshness and endorsing the persistence of the finish. A great wine.

The nose is fruity, tangy and offers energy, a lovely fine grain, power (with finesse), concentration (with finesse), depth and lovely definition. It reveals notes of wild blackberry, vibrant black berries and, more subtly, cornflower, together with touches of violet, wild strawberry and green cardamom, as well as fine hints of Bourbon vanilla, a very discreet hint of sweet spices, pepper and toasted hazelnut. The palate is fruity and offers freshness, tension, energy, as well as precisely controlled richness and an airy balance. On the palate, this wine delivers notes of juicy/pulpy blackberry, vibrant blackcurrant and, more lightly, purple plum, combined with touches of small berries, lilac and lily, as well as hints of tonka bean and cocoa. A lovely, elegant wine, all in delicacy.

Dark colour, with normal intensity. Nose a little discreet, with ripe fruit. Palate is soft and fruity, with medium body and length.