The 2019 La Petite Eglise is a wine of pure and total sophistication. Silky tannins, sweet, lifted aromatics and pliant fruit give the 2019 its elegant, sleek personality. All the elements simply fall into place. Noble and alluring, the 2019 is absolutely delicious. This is the second year La Petite Eglise has some Cabernet Franc, and that really comes through in the wine's aromatic lift and structural feel, especially over time. The Merlot was harvested from September 18 to 25, while the Franc came in on the 26th.

Denis Durantou's 2019s are absolutely brilliant across the board. My tasting was obviously bittersweet, as Durantou lost his battle with illness just a few weeks prior. Denis Durantou was one of the most intriguing characters in Bordeaux. I can't say I knew him well, but I always enjoyed tasting with him, as he was a person that spoke more with his eyes than with words. Things were implied rather than overtly stated. So, I tasted the 2019s with daughters Constance and Noémie over Zoom, in typical 2020 fashion. The Durantou sisters describe 2019 as a year with an early flowering and homogenous ripening that led to small, concentrated berries and higher pHs than normal. Temperatures were kept cool in the cellar, where both alcoholic and malolactic fermentations took place over cuvaison of 21 days (for all wines), in a reductive environment with little oxygen. From top to bottom, the Durantou 2019s are positively stellar. Don't miss them!

The 2019 La Petite Eglise was picked 18-25 September apropos the Merlot and 26 September for the Cabernet Franc, matured in 35% new oak. It is vivacious on the nose with vivid raspberry, maraschino cherry, desiccated orange peel and subtle white pepper scents. The palate is silky smooth with fine grain tannins. Harmonious from start to finish, this is a sensual, seductive La Petite Eglise with spicy notes furnishing the finish. Another superb testament to the late Denis Durantou.

80% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc; 35% new oak. This is the second year the young-vine Cabernet Franc from L’Église-Clinet has been added. Barrel sample. Exudes charm, the aromatics and flavour pure, fragrant and redolent of summer fruits. Fine, supple tannins. Good tension and balance. Finishes clean as a whistle. More for the short/medium term than the long haul. (JL)

Tasted blind. Light nose. Sweet but a bit simple and without real structure. Fine for easy, early drinking. (JR)