| Region | |
|---|---|
| Subregion | France > Bordeaux > Left Bank > St Estèphe |
| Colour | Red |
| Type | Still |
This Saint Estèphe château makes wines that are true to the appellation with impressive depth and concentration. Usually modestly priced en primeur. The 51 hectare vineyard is planted with 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot and 10% Petit Verdot. Recent vintages have impressed us here. This château always performs well in blind tastings - often being mistaken for Montrose - and was a star of the "Southwold" blind tastings in 2014, 2015 and 2016.
A strong performance for this improving estate, the 2020 Meyney unwinds in the glass with aromas of dark berries, plums, violets, cigar box and loamy soil. Medium to full-bodied, with a pure and fleshy core of fruit framed by sweet, powdery tannins and lively acids, it has retained energy and balance in this warm vintage. 2025 - 2043
The 2020 Meyney has a crisp, focused and detailed bouquet with precise blackberry, blueberry and cedar scents that are almost Pauillac in style. The palate is medium-bodied with impressive concentration on the entry, layers of licorice-tinged black fruit and a peppery finish that wants to make a statement. But it's just a bit squidgy. It will require five or six years in bottle just to shave its edges. Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting. 2030 - 2055
Attractive aromas of ripe dark berries with dark spices, walnut, chocolate nibs and bark. Medium- to full-bodied with a dense, velvety texture and plush, fine-grained tannins. Very textural and creamy with a deep core of ripe dark fruit and a succulent finish. Try after 2025.
A punch of bright plummy fruits, a little austere on the finish but one that you feel will age well. Mocha and coffee bean through the mid palate, keeping things moving right along at a fair pace, with a generous handful of rosemary and sage spice on the finish. Harvest 16 September to October 1. Always one of the real value picks in St-Estèphe.
Drinking Window 2025 - 2038
Full bottle 1,350 g. Cask sample taken 26 April. 52% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, 13% Petit Verdot. Merlot was picked 16 to 24 September, Petit Verdot was picked 23 September, Cabernet Sauvignon was picked 24 September to 1 October. Cold soak and some malo took place in new barrels. Matured in barriques (35% new).
Dark, lustrous crimson. Really very glamorous indeed. Ripe but fresh nose with an interesting balsam note. Smooth as satin initially on the palate with the savoury tannins (actually there in abundance) just nudging onto the palate at the end, which is dry but not drying. Very long and rather splendid on the finish with St-Estèphe’s stoniness evident. Very smart indeed with no concessions to simple sweetness.
Drink 2028 – 2046
2020 continues the run of fine form at Meyney. The nose is full of savoury graphite and earthy undertones, layered by bright red cherries and a little darker brambly fruit. The palate is less muscular than in recent vintages, shining with bright red fruit and fine, precise tannins. This elegant iteration is layered with savoury spice and finds a depth of black fruit through the mid-palate. Vibrant and crunchy through to the finish.
The 2020 Meyney has a very estuarine infused bouquet insofar that you could imagine looking out over the Gironde Estuary on some overcast winter's day. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins, very well balanced with an elegant bead of acidity. Plenty of freshness and focus towards the finish, this is a splendid Meyney that continues it good run of form.
The 2020 Meyney has a lively, quite powerful nose delivering plenty of blackberry, boysenberry and briar scents, plus touches of freshly tilled loam and wilted iris flower; I appreciate how forthright this is. The palate is medium-bodied with grippy tannins and graphite-laced blackberry. Quite citric toward the finish, showing Pauillac-like pretentions. This is a classy Saint-Estèphe from Meyney that will age with style. Drink: 2025 - 2045
A firm, intense red Bordeaux with blackcurrants and purple fruit, as well as hints of walnuts and some sweet tobacco. It’s full-bodied and dense with layers of fruit and tannins.
