(55% CS, 38% M, 6% CF, 1% PV)
Rich black fruit, gravel, and new oak; generous, fresh to vital, firmly but finely tannic; rich and crisp, long and fine for the level, complex and satisfying; almost lemony fresh, but all nicely integrated, and with excellent length. A very classy, complete Le Boscq, one of the best yet? And one more example of just how successful St-Estèphe, with its often-high proportion of clay, has been in 2020. Another Dourthe wine likely to represent excellent value en primeur. 2027–37+.

Blackberry, mushroom, bark and ink well on the nose. It’s medium-bodied with firm, slightly austere tannins. Could use a little bit more in the center palate, but pretty length. So should be excellent. Wait and see.

The 2020 Château Le Boscq offers up a rocking nose that includes lots of blue fruits, violets, and graphite, and it’s one of those wines you can easily identify as Saint-Estèphe in a blind tasting. Medium to full-bodied on the palate, with elegant tannins and good purity, it comes across as slightly modern in style, with plenty of oak, yet I suspect that will integrate once this is in the bottle and it should be a classic, outstanding wine.

The 2020 Le Boscq is wonderfully expressive right out of the gate. Inky dark fruit, charcoal, spice, menthol and licorice are front and center. This juicy, succulent Saint-Estèphe will drink well right away.

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The 2020 Le Boscq presents a perfumed, unusually floral bouquet (for this estate), violet and iris infusing the blackberry and cassis fruit. The palate has a succulent opening featuring plenty of sweet black cherry and strawberry fruit, almost confit-like, though the new oak comes across quite strongly toward the finish. The success of this Saint-Estèphe will depend on how well that oak is assimilated during élevage.

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Deep purple-black colored, the 2020 le Boscq leaps from the glass with vibrant scents of redcurrants, black raspberries and ripe plums, plus wafts of ground cloves, Sichuan pepper and dried Provence herbs. Medium-bodied, the palate has a firm foundation of chewy tannins and plenty of freshness, finishing with an herbal lift.

Tasted blind. Deep crimson. A touch stony and peppery, openly aromatic. Fresh, juicy, straightforward. Not very long but very smooth. (JH)