Château Villemaurine 2020

The 2020 Villemaurine sports a very deep purple-black color, springing from the glass with vibrant notes of black cherry preserves, ripe black plums and wild blueberries, plus touches of Indian spices, menthol and cedar chest with a waft of fragrant earth. The medium to full-bodied palate is soft and juicy with a lively backbone to lift the seductive exotic spices to a nice long and harmonious finish. The blend this year is 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc, aging for an anticipated 16 months in French oak, 80% new. The alcohol is 14.5%. Drink date: 2025-2048. Score – 93-95. (Lisa Perrotti-Brown, MW, robertparker.com, May 20, 2021)