Château Villemaurine

Saint-Émilion Grand Cru Classé 2020

The 2020 Villemaurine sports a very deep purple-black color, springing from the glass with vibrant notes of black cherry preserves, ripe black plums and wild blueberries, plus touches of Indian spices, menthol and cedar chest with a waft of fragrant earth. The medium to full-bodied palate is soft and juicy with a lively backbone to lift the seductive exotic spices to a nice long and harmonious finish. The blend this year is 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc, aging for an anticipated 16 months in French oak, 80% new.

The 2020 Villemaurine is fabulous, just as it was en primeur. More than anything else, Villemaurine balances fruit intensity with energy, a pretty appealing combination in my book. Freshly cut flowers, mint, blood orange, rose petal and lavender are all woven together in a wine that sizzles with tension and energy. Tasted two times.

The 2020 Château Villemaurine comes from an incredible terroir located just beside the village of Saint-Emilion and is 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc raised in 80% new French oak. Its dense purple hue is followed by a beautiful perfume of black raspberries, cherries, spice box, and smoked tobacco. This carries to a medium to full-bodied Saint-Emilion with perfectly integrated oak, ripe tannins, and the pure, elegant, yet structured style of the vintage. It's a beautiful wine to enjoy over the coming 15-20 years. This property was purchased by the Lefévère family (of Château Sansonnet, Soutard Cadet, and Moulin du Cadet) in 2021, with Marie-Benedicte Lefévère putting together the blend for the 2020. Given the quality of the dirt here, this is an estate to watch.