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 alcohol is 14.5%.

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.

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.