2020 Chateau Charmail Haut-Médoc

The cru bourgeois, Château Charmail is located in the immediate vicinity of the wide river Gironde in the Haut-Médoc. The vineyards are located close to Saint-Estèphe, about two kilometers from the largest estuary in Europe, resulting in a moderate microclimate. This results in optimal ripening of the cabernet and merlot grapes. Winemaker Olivier Sèze works classically and with respect for the Médoc tradition. For example, he picks the grapes by hand and does not filter or clarify the wine. Charmail is a beautiful, refined style Bordeaux which has had 14 months of aging in French oak barrels.

The 2020 Charmail comes from Charmail in Saint-Seurin-de-Cadourne. The blend is 36% Merlot, 32% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Cabernet Franc and 16% Petit Verdot. The wine matures for 12 months in 30% new oak barrels and the rest in 2nd year oak. Deep Bordeaux red and an almost inky black wine. Rich in dark and black fruit such as cherry, raspberry and blackberry. Classic expression with ripe Cabernet notes and a sober, high-quality wood influence (cedar wood). Ripe, fused onset. Very soft, but serious and also full, somewhat fleshy structure with full ripe tannins with subtle wood tones. The 2018 was an absolute top year for Chateau Charmail, which also resulted in high points from Neiul Martin from Vinous and Sucking.