Château Meyney - Saint-Estèphe 2020

Acquired by CA Grands Crus in 2004, Meyney is a little gem of Médoc architecture, prized as much for its location as for the quality of its wines. The approximately 50 hectares surrounding the château, situated on a ridge of siliceous gravel and deep blue clay along the banks of the Gironde, provide ideal conditions for Cabernet Sauvignon. The wines have regained the luster of their heyday. They possess excellent aging potential. A must-try.

True to form, this estate has produced a beautifully crafted 2020 vintage, elegant in its deep, glossy black color as well as in its complex bouquet of black fruits, smoke, and licorice. On the palate, it is full-bodied, smooth, and creamy, supported by tannins of true finesse. It has a bright future ahead. 2027–2033

The 2020 vintage follows in the footsteps of the very solid 2019, and the wine is well-structured, yet also very refined and well-balanced. It has great depth and beautifully defined tannins that harmonize on the finish.

This wine is indisputably one of the best “unclassified” wines in the Médoc. It must be said that it benefits from a remarkable terroir, located on the banks of the Gironde, and that it is managed effectively by the teams at CA Grands Crus (Crédit Agricole), now led by Anne le Naour. A vineyard restructuring plan has been implemented, and the most recent vintages are comparable to the estate’s legendary ’61, ’86, and ’89 vintages. Meyney develops rather slowly and is a true long-distance runner; it reaches its peak after a good ten years.

The 2020 Meyney has turned out to be magnificent. Fresh, vibrant, and full of character, it impresses with its energy and finesse. Black cherry, rose petal, blood orange, sage, mint, and white pepper come through beautifully. This 2020 is both bold and refined. It offers plenty to admire. 2027–2040

A pure and joyful nose, refined and precise, with notes of perfectly ripe summer red fruits and aromatic herbs, and a hint of salinity that balances the fruit’s sweetness. Stunningly harmonious on the palate, soothing like a lullaby. A beautiful balance of fruit and flowers, delicacy and power. This wine is improving in quality and finesse. 2023–2048

What serenity and confidence in the 2020 Meyney! It must be said that it has been in its element for quite some time now… this wine will transport you to unexpected realms of pleasure! The harmony between fruity nuances, spices, minerality, and notes from aging is delightful and highlights the wine’s complexity. Dense and well-defined, Meyney boasts velvety, precise tannins that offer a subtle yet oh-so-effective power! They’ve managed to get it just right—to let it shine without being over the top. Subtlety and finesse—that’s exactly what 2020 needs. Kudos to the whole team! 2026–2045

The wine has a deep ruby color with subtle purplish highlights. The nose is fragrant, with delicate woody notes (especially on the first sniff) and spicy undertones. It reveals notes of toasted wood, toasted almond, coffee, a hint of caramel, and a refined spiciness (cloves, vanilla, licorice, ground gray pepper, crushed coriander seeds), combined with a subtle sweetness reminiscent of dark chocolate. The fruit aromas are distinct and slightly tart: notes of fresh blackcurrant, blueberry, crushed raspberry, morello cherry, and wild strawberry, along with hints of dried mint, rosemary, bay leaf, violet, and lily in the background. On the palate, the wine offers a rich, concentrated, and ripe fruit profile, harmoniously balanced with powerful tannins. It expresses flavors of fresh and jam-like wild strawberries, ripe morello cherries, wild blackberries, blackcurrant (with a hint of crème de cassis), and prune liqueur, combined with rich, savory notes of cocoa, dark chocolate, cloves, licorice, cinnamon (in the background), toasted vanilla, as well as floral notes of dried rose, fresh violet, and wildflowers, complemented by the freshness of mint and rosemary. The finish is long and fragrant, highlighting the wine’s spicy, rich, and warm bouquet. Beautiful tannic structure and acidity. A powerful, deep, and refined wine with aging potential.