Uncorked

Bordeaux en primeur 2020: our first verdict on the vintage

As we went to press, the annual Bordeaux en primeur tastings were taking place. Our correspondent Jane Anson tasted more than 800 wines from the 2020 vintage, and has given about 10% of these a score of 95 points or more, including five at 98-100pts.

The hazards of growing and harvesting during a pandemic, several spells of troublesome weather, and of course travel restrictions that prevented many tasters from visiting Bordeaux provided a unique set of obstacles, but the châteaux were better prepared than last year.

In total, Bordeaux produced 440 million litres of wine in 2020, the equivalent of 587 million bottles – a smaller number than average, but each one well earned. ‘This vintage has seen some of the lowest yields of recent years,’ said Anson, ‘and the resulting concentration means the ability to manage these low yields, while keeping fruit and freshness, was a line that needed careful walking.

‘You’re going to find plenty of racy, supple tannins that