Château La Couspaude 2020

Noticeable oak spice with a mentholated character; a firm structure, thoroughly dominated by the maturation.

A rich swirl of cinnamon Danish on the nose, traces of heat, also some highly concentrated fruits, fig and prune, and not really getting the balance that I would ideally like to find. A yield of 30hl/ha.

Aromas of ripe blackberries and currants with vanilla, licorice, spiced oak and tar. Medium- to full-bodied with ripe, juicy tannins and a chocolaty texture with hints of walnut and spices. Firm and slightly chewy finish. 75% merlot, 20% cabernet franc and 5% cabernet sauvignon. Try after 2026.

The 2020 La Couspaude has a very ripe nose with black plum, raisin and violet scents, quite extrovert and just about retaining satisfying delineation. The palate is sweet on the entry and, as I found out of barrel, the mid-palate is dominated by wood tannins that define the finish. Essentially, there is just too much winemaking and not enough wine in this Saint-Émilion.

Espresso, flowers, licorice, mint, tobacco wrapper, chocolate and ripe cherries are on the nose and on the round, lush, sweet, forward palate. You can enjoy this on release. Drink from 2023–2035.

Strong ruby, purple reflections, faint ochre brightening on the rim. Delicate wood nuances, ripe cherry fruit, discreet wild berry confit with candied orange zest in the background. Juicy, elegant, sweet fresh cherries, integrated tannins, some cocoa on the finish, pleasant minerality, versatile food wine with ageing potential.

Bright dark inky core and hue. The nose is modern and pure with layers of ripe dark fruit, crème de cassis, fine oak, tobacco and some chalky notes. Dense and vigorous palate, youthful but finely polished and grained, layered with meaty dark fruit, mild spice, integrated oak supported by balanced acidity and a long, powerful finish.

Kunz Barrel Sample 2021: velvety, fruity, sweet, powerful bouquet; strawberry jelly, chocolate cream, vanilla, currants. Dense, powerful, finely opulent palate with sweet fruit, broad structure, intense aromatics, plenty of fine tannins, long, full finish. Has room to improve.

Silky, fruity, sweet, powerful bouquet: strawberry jelly, chocolate cream, vanilla, currants. Dense, powerful, finely opulent palate with sweet fruit, broad structure, intense aromatics, plenty of fine tannins, long, full finish. Still has room to improve. 17/20 2026 - 2045

The 2020 La Couspaude is a blend of 75% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. Medium to deep garnet-purple in color, it races out with spritely notes of crushed redcurrants, juicy blackberries, and ripe plums, followed by hints of pencil shavings, sautéed herbs, and wild fungi. The medium-bodied palate has a racy line and chewy tannins supporting the generous fruit, though it finishes a little rustic and with an odd mushroom character.

89-90

The nose is very appealing, with notes of ripe red fruits and spices, while the palate is still a little tight. Worth waiting a few more years.

Tasted once bland and the other time harsh. Incomprehensible, as I thought this cru was improving.

Warm and generous, the nose shows a sun-drenched profile. Slightly stewed dark fruit, eau-de-vie plum. The palate is straight, marked by definite tannic presence, slightly austere at this stage but finishing fairly juicy, on flowing black berry.

This young, wine, packed with tannins, is still a work in progress. Structure and black fruits offer a glimpse of the rich future and also underline the wine's density and concentration. Drink the wine from 2026.