Weekly tasting report (May 31-Jun 6, 2020): Australia, France

Lots of Bordeaux barrel samples are still being tasted this week in Hong Kong while I continue to work on my tastings in Australia, Adelaide Hills in particular.

The best 2019 en primeur wines tasted last week were powerful yet balanced wines. The sleek tannins and polished feel to these young 2019s is setting the bar high for the top wines and the 2019 Chateau Figeac (98-99) and Pichon Lalande (98-99) deliver a full-bodied yet agile and balanced expression for their respective districts. Power and polish are a hallmark of the best 2019 Bordeaux.

Our coverage of the Bordeaux 2019 en primeur campaign is has been comprehensive, with James hosting many live tastings with winemakers, chateau owners and consultants. This in-depth coverage and the well-organized air-freighting of samples to James in Hong Kong has captured many insights into one of our most extraordinary en primeur seasons.

I continue my tastings in Australia and have highlighted Giaconda’s 2018 Estate Vineyard Chardonnay (98 points) as one of the best releases from the Kinzbrunner’s cellar with an impressive fusion of power with layered structure, complexity and depth. This is a wine that delivers sheer power and concentration with poise and class. It is undeniably one of the great chardonnay wines of the world.

And on the back of the recently published McLaren Vale tasting report, the 2018 Yangarra Grenache Ovitelli (98 points) shows how the considered approach to fermentation in concrete eggs and extended maceration has tamed the bold 2018 vintage and delivered a wine with such fruit purity and nuance.

Enjoy!

– Nick Stock, executive editor

Tasting Notes

Château Figeac St.-Emilion 2019
Country France
Region Bordeaux
Vintage 2019
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Château Léoville Las Cases St.-Julien 2019
Country France
Region Bordeaux
Vintage 2019
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Château Pichon Longueville Lalande Pauillac 2019
Country France
Region Bordeaux
Vintage 2019
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Giaconda Chardonnay Beechworth Estate Vineyard 2018
Country Australia
Region Victoria
Vintage 2018
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Yangarra Grenache McLaren Vale Ovitelli 2018
Country Australia
Region South Australia
Vintage 2018
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Château Clinet Pomerol 2019
Country France
Region Bordeaux
Vintage 2019
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Château La Conseillante Pomerol 2019
Country France
Region Bordeaux
Vintage 2019
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Château Pichon-Longueville Baron Pauillac 2019
Country France
Region Bordeaux
Vintage 2019
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Château Valandraud St.-Emilion 2019
Country France
Region Bordeaux
Vintage 2019
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