Best Pomerol 2020 wines tasted en primeur
Jane Anson presents an overview of the 2020 vintage in Pomerol revealing her highest-scoring wines and top-value picks.
Pomerol 2020
Average yield: 40hl/ha
- Good yields at the Moueix esates: 40-42hl/ha
- 30hl/ha at Vieux Château Certan,
- 32hl/ha at Château L’Evangile,
- 37hl/ha at Château Beauregard,
- 38hl/ha at Château Clinet,
- 30hl/ha at Château Mazeyres,
- 42hl/ha at Château Feytit Clinet.
What you find
The clays of Pomerol were able to conserve water, so there is plenty of freshness in most wines, but the three days at 37°C in September meant evaporation, so you see early picking (L’Evangile September 2-15, the first in the appellation) and concentration and even some raisin character if people waited too long.
As there is so much concentration, you get a more architectural construction than you usually do in the hedonism centre of Pomerol.
Pomerol 2020 vintage characteristics
Mildew pressure in May, particularly after heavy rain (68mm) on one day May 10. But once June was over, both July and August saw particularly low levels of rain compared to the Médoc.
There was almost nothing in July, and just 20-30mm recorded at Petrus, Lafleur and Vieux Château Certan in August. Heavier rains began at the end of September, potentially causing dilution, but most estates were in by then (Beauregard and Nenin for example were finished harvest by September 23rd).
What’s new
Rouget in conversion to organic farming, Petit Village also (and new owners here, the Moulin family of Galleries Lafayette and Château Beauregard).
L’Evangile is in its final year of organic conversion, so 2021 will be the first certified year.
Quick links for Bordeaux 2020 en primeur ratings
Search Bordeaux 2020 tasting notes published so far
Bordeaux 2020 vintage: our en primeur verdict
Top-scoring Bordeaux 2020 wines
Top Pomerol 2020 picks:
- Château L’Evangile,
- Petrus,
- Château Lafleur,
- Château La Conseillante.
Value picks:
Lalande de Pomerol:
- Château des Annereaux,
- Château Siaurac,
- Château Tournefeuille,
- Château Les Cruzelles,
- Château La Sergue.
See the top-scoring Pomerol 2020 en primeur wines
Search all Bordeaux 2020 en primeur ratings published so far
Back to the main Bordeaux en primeur page
Petrus, Pomerol, Bordeaux, France, 2020
A seriously impressive Petrus in 2020. Less hedonistic and instantly emotional than 2019, more sultry, almost shy and reserved but with definition, weight, succulence and...
2020
PetrusPomerol
Château Trotanoy, Pomerol, Bordeaux, France, 2020
A sure fire hit in 2020 and one of my absolute favourites of the vintage. Perfumed black cherries, roses and dark chocolate on the nose:...
2020
Château TrotanoyPomerol
Château L'Évangile, Pomerol, Bordeaux, France, 2020
Glamour and seduction in spades at L'Evangile giving classic Pomerol typicity with a kick. Floral and expressive on the nose with pink and purple flowers,...
2020
Château L'ÉvangilePomerol
Château La Fleur-Pétrus, Pomerol, Bordeaux, France, 2020
Sumptuous and stylish, this, like many of the best in 2020, is quietly confident showing just enough structure and seriousness while still being joyous and...
2020
Château La Fleur-PétrusPomerol
Château Le Pin, Pomerol, Bordeaux, France, 2020
Ripe, dark chocolate, floral scents, rich blackcurrants - heady but refined. Supple and racy on the palate, thrilling even, a livewire of a wine. A...
2020
Château Le PinPomerol
Château L'Eglise-Clinet, Pomerol, Bordeaux, France, 2020
Smooth and silky, rich for sure, you know you're in Pomerol in a ripe vintage with just-chewy tannins but that also have a cooling, crisp...
2020
Château L'Eglise-ClinetPomerol
Château La Conseillante, Pomerol, Bordeaux, France, 2020
A seriously memorable wine from La Conseillante in 2020. Uplifting and glamorous with blackcurrant patisserie, scented flowers - the Cabernet Franc showing itself on the...
2020
Château La ConseillantePomerol
Château Hosanna, Pomerol, Bordeaux, France, 2020
Lively on the nose, so expressive but in a lifted bright and lively way, not so dark and brooding more 'look how pretty I am...
2020
Château HosannaPomerol
Château La Violette, Pomerol, Bordeaux, France, 2020
Heady and perfumed on the nose. A little constricted on the palate, slightly tense tannins coat the mouth with a perfumed, almost liqueur aspect to...
2020
Château La ViolettePomerol
Château Certan de May, Pomerol, Bordeaux, France, 2020
Ripe fruit aromas alongside vanilla and cinnamon, dark and brooding with soft floral flecks. A little more serious than I was expecting, this is taught...
2020
Château Certan de MayPomerol
Vieux Château Certan, Pomerol, Bordeaux, France, 2020
A pure, classy, understated VCC that manages to be elegant and delicate while hinting its potential for glamour and star power. Coiled and tightly knitted...
2020
Vieux Château CertanPomerol
Clos du Clocher, Pomerol, Bordeaux, France, 2020
Herbal-edged raspberries and red cherries, bramble elements, coffee, tobacco, clove, dark chocolate., violets, roses and dark berries on the nose. Silky but sleek, rich but...
2020
Clos du ClocherPomerol
Château La Fleur de Gay, Pomerol, Bordeaux, France, 2020
This is seductive and silky and totally delicious. Powerful rose petal and violet notes, a ripped muscular texture, smoky, juicy and full of definition. ...
2020
Château La Fleur de GayPomerol
Château Vray Croix de Gay, Pomerol, Bordeaux, France, 2020
This is juicy, measured, full of life and has striking fruit, vibrant with a crushed mint finish. From the first moments it shows a freshness...
2020
Château Vray Croix de GayPomerol
Château Clinet, Pomerol, Bordeaux, France, 2020
Dark and heady, smooth but still lean with a sense of seriousness with firm tannins that fill the mouth. Lovely high acidity offsets the powdery,...
2020
Château ClinetPomerol
