Chateau Lucia 2020

JAMES SUCKLING: "This shows notes of spices, dried herbs and nut shell with some dark fruit. Full-bodied with very fine, silky tannins and a structured mouth-feel. Refined and polished with delicious black fruit underneath. Creamy finish with earthy notes. Try after 2025."

THE WINE ADVOCATE: "The 2020 Lucia is a blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc, aging for 10 to 16 months in French oak, 30% new. The alcohol is 14.5%. Deep garnet-purple colored, it rolls out of the glass with ready-for-business notes of crushed black plums, fresh blackberries and black cherries, plus suggestions of menthol, powdered cinnamon and garrigue. The medium to full-bodied palate delivers ripe, generous black fruits with impressive freshness and a velvety texture, finishing long and fragrant."

JEB DUNNUCK: "The 2020 Château Lucia comes from a tiny 2.8 hectare of vines planted on clay and limestone soils located just next to Grand Pontet (which were planted in 1901) as well as vines on the same plain next to Monbousquet. The blend is 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc that spent 12-16 months in 30% new barrels. Showing the pure, elegant, yet balanced style of the vintage, it has classic red and black fruits, some truffly, earthy, tobacco nuances, a great mouthfeel, and outstanding length. It's clearly in the same league as the 2015, 2016, and 2019, and it's going to deliver the goods over the coming 10-12+ years."

THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "Licorice, black cherries, chocolate and espresso express their notes with ease. Full-bodied, rich, ripe and round, but also fresh and vibrant, with a luscious, supple textured, fruit-packed, chocolate mint and dark, pit fruit filled finish. Drink from 2024-2040."

DECANTER: "Creamy milk chocolate and blueberries on the nose. Scented, floral and so inviting. Energetic and lively, this has a gorgeous clarity and pristine quality to the fruit. Clean, crisp with bite. I love this expression, the chalky elements and dominant liquorice edges are there giving this frame and a sense of the power and wood, but it’s a lovely weight and overall texture. Filling, characterful with a lot of life, good length and freshness. The dark savoury liquorice is a bit overt right now, masking some of the fruit, but this feels well presented and will soften in time."