Tronquoy St-Estèphe 2020

95 points Neal Martin (Vinous): "The 2020 Tronquoy-Lalande puts in the surprise performance of the tasting with a quite stellar showing. It has superb mineralité on the nose, very well defined and full of vigor—perhaps the most sophisticated within the flight of Saint-Estèphe wines. The palate is medium-bodied with firm tannins. It's a "solid" and structured wine, but it also conveys delineation and tension toward the hoisin-tinged finish. Very persistent on the finish, this is a class act. Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting. Drink: 2030-2060. (Nov 2024)"

95 points Jeb Dunnuck: "Coming from a vintage compared to 2016 and 2019 by the château, the 2020 Château Tronquoy-Lalande checks in as 52% Merlot, 42% Cabernet Sauvignon, and the rest Petit Verdot, hitting 13.5% alcohol. Beautiful cassis, plums, damp earth, and chocolate notes all emerge from this beauty, which is a layered, medium to full-bodied, gorgeously textured Saint-Estèphe. The tannins are present yet polished, and it has a great mid-palate and outstanding length. I'd wager this is one of the finest vintages of this cuvée to date. It has the purity of fruit and opulence to shine even today, yet I suspect it won't hit prime time for 7-8 years, and it should have 20 years of prime drinking at that point. Drink: 2030-2050. (3/29/23)"

93 points Georgina Hindle (Decanter): "Gorgeous milk chocolate aroma on the nose, alongside brambly, ripe blackcurrant and black cherry. Plump fruit alongside marked acidity in the mouth, with a crushed stone aspect to the finish. Svelte, easy, pristine yet deep, with serious dark fruit and a grippy end. Drinking Window: 2023-2036. (Feb 2023)"

93 points Jane Anson (Inside Bordeaux): "(52% Cabernet Sauvignon, 42% Merlot, 6% Petit Verdot). Seriously impressive, close to 2016 in feel, richly texured, combining the power of St Estèphe with reserve and pared-back elegance, a ton of black fruits. It remains tight on the finish for now, but the tannins are confident rather than restrictive, suggesting long ageing potential. Higher Cabernet Sauvignon than usual, partly because of the mildew that impacted the Merlot, and partly because the Cabernet Sauvignon reacted so well to the vintage conditions. 3.74ph, harvest September 11 to 28. Alcohol 13.5%. Drink: 2026-2040. (11/29/22)"

93 points James Suckling: "Dark fruits with sweet spices, cocoa, cedar and tar. Some wet earth and tobacco, too. Medium- to full-bodied with firm, chewy tannin build up and bright acidity. Juicy and vivid dark fruit character comes after. Polished with notes of crushed stones. Try after 2025. (12/6/22)"

92 points Wine Spectator: "[$46 list] Sleek and fresh, with a core of damson plum and loganberry fruit racing along, flecked with lilac, savory and iron notes along the way. Pretty, lingering finish. Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot. Best from 2024 through 2034. 608 cases made. (3/31/23)"

92 points Chris Kissack (Winedoctor): "A beautifully expressive nose on this wine from the Bouygues family, open and very characteristic of the Montrose-Tronquoy style, with currant, black cherry, toast and blackberry, with a freshly defined yet rich character. Put it all together and this is very enticing. The palate is nothing short of seductive, dark and polished, with a supple yet brooding core of black fruits, currants, blackberry, liquorice and black olive, resting on a rich bed of tannins, and fresh acidity. Full and gripped in the finish, this is an absolute charmer which will be drinking well in just a few years from now. The élevage was in 25% new oak, for 12 months, and the bottling was in early 2022. The alcohol is 13.5%, yet they have put 14% on the label. (Dec 2022)"

92 points Jeff Leve (The Wine Cellar Insider): "Medium/full-bodied with an attention seeking nose packed with espresso, dark chocolate, spice, smoke, blackberries, currants and licorice. Dark in color, and deep in character with layers of ripe, plump, round, lush, dark red fruits, creamy tannins and just a hint of cocoa and mint in the endnote. This is already simply delicious and with a few years of age, it promises to be even better. Drink from 2024-2040. (Mar 2023)"