Tasting Notes
Vinous 92
The 2020 La Chenade is rich, sumptuous and super-expressive right out of the gate. All of the exuberance of the year comes through loud and clear. A burst of black cherry, plum, mocha, licorice, lavender and spice infuses the Chenade with tons of complexity. Broad and creamy, with fine balance, the Chenade is showing so well today. The combination of fruit density and energy is compelling.
Anticipated maturity: 2024-2035
Jeb Dunnuck 92-94
I absolutely loved the 2020 Chateau La Chenade, and this beautiful, layered, rich, yet fresh Lalande de Pomerol does everything right. Giving up terrific aromatics of ripe back cherries, cassis, tobacco, and lead pencil, it hits the palate with medium to full-bodied richness, a round, supple texture, ripe tannins, and a great finish. I just hope it shows this well from bottle!
Decanter 91
Sit back and enjoy the life and sap through this wine, with earthy wild blackberry notes that I really enjoy. No need to wait too long, enjoyably sculpted if a little concentrated in its tannic sign-off. 3.72pH. A yield of 38hl/ha. La Chenade contains a fairly high amount of young vines, which meant it was more affected than Les Cruzelles by the dry summer, but it has been exceptionally well handled.
Anticipated maturity: 2023-2032
Robert Parker 90
The 2020 La Chenade is a blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc, coming from vines planted to a sandy-gravel soil at the Durantous’s Lalande de Pomerol estate. The Merlot was picked between the 9th and the 15th of September and the Cabernet Franc on the 16th of September. It has an alcohol of 14% and is aging in French oak barrels, 30% new. Deep garnet-purple colored, it comes skipping out of the glass with exuberant scents of Morello cherries, boysenberries and crushed red and black plums, plus suggestions of underbrush, damp soil and menthol. The medium-bodied palate is elegant and nicely balanced, with soft acidity and tannins framing the earth-laced red and black fruits, finishing long and minerally. 10,000 bottles are expected to be made.
Anticipated maturity: 2024-2038