Tasting Notes
Vinous 92-94
The 2020 Les Gravières is a powerful, bold Saint-Émilion loaded with intense mineral and savory notes that play off a core of inky dark fruit. Blueberry jam, gravel, smoke, lavender, licorice and cloves add gravitas. Les Gravières is another impressive wine in the trio of 2020s I tasted from proprietor Denis Barraud. I very much like the vibrancy and tension here. Tasted two times.
Anticipated maturity: 2026-2046
Robert Parker 94
Made from 100% Merlot, the 2020 Les Gravieres has a deep purple-black color, rolling out of the glass with ready-for-business scents of plum preserves, baked black cherries and blueberry pie, plus hints of violets, clove oil and camphor, with a waft of tree bark. The medium to full-bodied palate delivers velvety tannins and a lively backbone to support the generous black and blue fruits, finishing long and spicy.
Anticipated maturity: 2025-2045
Jeb Dunnuck 91-93
Emerging from under the Denis Barraud umbrella, the 2020 Château Les Gravières checks in as 100% Merlot that’s still resting in 70% new French oak. It offers wonderful purity of fruit as well as classy oak, notes of violets and licorice, medium to full-bodied richness, and both richness and freshness. It’s certainly in the same ballpark as the 2018 and 2019 and is a terrific bottle of wine in the making. Tasted twice with consistent results.