Château Alcée 2020

Extremely juicy, this has grip and power, subtlety and nuance, with a limestone-induced pumice stone texture. Touch of reduction on the nose, but as the fruit arrives you get savoury red cherry and loganberry then campfire smoke. Full of austere promise, and a value pick. From the Nicolas Thienpont team. Drinking Window 2023 - 2035.

Beautifully polished young red with really creamy tannins that show gorgeous tension and creamy texture. It’s full-bodied, yet agile and vivid. Minerally aftertaste.

The 2020 Alcee has an opaque purple-black color and alluring scents of stewed black plums, black cherry preserves and raspberry pie, plus suggestions of star anise, rose hip tea, wild mushrooms and cinnamon toast. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is laden with densely packed black fruit and red berry accents, supported by firm, grainy tannins and seamless freshness, finishing long and fragrant.

Always superb, the 2020 Château Alcee is another winner, offering a great nose of ripe cherries and cassis as well as some classic Castillon minerality and floral notes, medium-bodied richness, a kiss of background oak, and a great finish. It’s going to be one of those hidden gems in the vintage and is just a beautiful wine, displaying the freshness and purity of the vintage paired with plenty of fruit, ripe tannins, and ample character.