A blend of 70% Cabernet Franc and 30% Merlot, the 2020 Les Perrieres is deep garnet-purple in color. It needs a fair bit of swirling to unlock earthy/broody scents of tar, black truffles, smoked meats, and crushed rocks, leading to a core of black cherries and stewed plums, plus a waft of chalk dust. The full-bodied palate is wonderfully bright and energetic, featuring vibrant black fruits with great tension and very fine-grained tannins, finishing long and minerally. 95+ (LPB)

So perfumed, really quite floral with ripe black fruits and mineral touches on the nose. Such purity and power on the palate but weightless too, the flavours and texture float across the palate. It’s lean, almost austere if it weren't for the ripe fruit - blackcurrant, black cherry and touch of damson giving the layers. So much energy and persistence with structure, detail and precision. The mineral, chalky tang on the tongue gives the terroir definition while the florality, and ripe fruit flavours show off the beautiful Bouchet. Cool and refreshing - a beautiful and beguiling wine that needs time before it really shines. (GH)

Aerian, chalky fine tannins, and a heightened floral edge of peony and violets, caressed by gunsmoke and saffron. This is on the frontier of cool blue fruits, both austere and yet creamy. Brilliant, a wine to settle in for, and watch develop. Harvest September 11 to 19, vines all massal selection from Ch Lafleur, planted in 2016.