Peter Maude Fine Wines

2020, Château La Chenade, LALANDE DE POMEROL

$44

Bordeaux Blend: Merlot, Cabernet Franc.

The 2020 La Chenade was very promising when I originally tasted it from barrel. In bottle since May, it has developed a lovely nose with melted red berry fruit, wild mint and light fennel scents. Nicely delineated and focused. The palate is medium-bodied with pliant tannins. Extremely pure, very harmonious, this Lalande-de-Pomerol discretely crescendos towards its very satisfying, quite structured finish. Superb. 92 Neal Martin, Vinous.

The 2020 La Chenade is rich, sumptuous and super-expressive right out of the gate. All of the exuberance of the year comes through loud and clear. A burst of black cherry, plum, mocha, licorice, lavender and spice infuses the Chenade with tons of complexity. Broad and creamy, with fine balance, the Chenade is showing so well today. The combination of fruit density and energy is compelling. 92 Antonio Galloni, Vinous.

Sit back and enjoy the life and sap through this wine, with earthy wild blackberry notes that I really enjoy. No need to wait too long, enjoyably sculpted if a little concentrated in its tannic sign-off. 3.72pH. A yield of 38hl/ha. La Chenade contains a fairly high amount of young vines, which meant it was more affected than Les Cruzelles by the dry summer, but it has been exceptionally well handled. 91 Jane Anson, Decanter.

Gorgeously sweet strawberries and creamy herbal raspberries. Perfumed, rich and ripe. Crisp, lovely chocolate, coffee, tobacco and smoky sensations. Quite serious and savoury, the toasty elements coming through almost more than the fruit at this point. Direct and detailed, there’s definition to the elements within a spiced frame. A little shy, more knitted down. I love that combination of perfumed fruit - really just so clear and clean. Almost plush tannins with a backbone of spice and acidity giving the definition, focus and general drive. Like an arrow this one, coated in liquorice, tobacco and coffee. It’s a dark horse. Characterful and confident. 92 Georgina Hindle, Decanter.

Made from Merlot grapes picked between the 9th and the 15th of September and Cabernet Franc grapes picked on the 16th of September, the 2020 La Chenade expresses a vibrant and elegant bouquet with aromas of dark berries, violet, rose, dark cherries and graphite. Medium to full-bodied, it’s a juicy and elegant wine with a fleshy core of fruit and a fresh finish. As usual, this estate has produced excellent red wine from sandy-gravel soils. 92+ Yohan Castaing, Wine Advocate.

Drinking Window: 2023 - 2025

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