The 2020 La Tour de Bessan is a powerful, fruity Margaux. I would prefer to drink it over the near and medium term, while the flavors remain vibrant. Tour de Bessan is not the last word in finesse, but it is bold, generous and easy to like.

The 2020 La Tour de Bessan takes a while to unfurl on the nose: blackberry and bilberry fruit, and hints of licorice. A faint balsamic note emerges with time. Fine definition. The palate is medium-bodied with powdery tannins, quite Pauillac-like in terms of structure, sapid with a touch of volatility on the finish. There is a bit of heat here. I'd like to revisit this in a couple of years.

Cask sample. A note of graphite, baked earth and gravel on the nose. The palate shows good, cool blueberry fruit with a subtle floral twist and juicy dark fruits as well. Well-judged tannins and a vibrant fresh finish. (AC)