Larmande - Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2020

Wines Critic

93 /

byRaffaele Vecchionethe3/10/2023

In the primary profile there are floral scents of rose petals and pressed red flowers. Black prunes and chocolate in the background. Full bodied, biting tannins and a linear finish. Better from 2026.

Vinous

89 / 100

byAntonio Gallonithe2/24/2023

The 2020 Larmande offers good purity in its flavors, but also feels a bit pushed. Red/purplish fruit, rose petal, mint and lavender are somewhat compacted by aggressive edges.

Vinous

90 / 100

byNeal Martinthe2/15/2023

The 2020 Larmande is still a little bashful on the nose, but one can appreciate the delineation and purity - blackberry, raspberry and a light tang of marmalade. It unfurls nicely in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with relatively light tannins, quite old school in a way, fresh and saline with an understated finish. This has personality and charm.

Jane Anson

92 / 100

byJane Ansonthe1/16/2023

A touch of austerity on the opening, softening to show sleek and juicy red cherry fruit and plenty of lemongrass and slate, limestone signature. Tasted twice. 17ha, Bertrand de Villaines director, owner La Mondiale.

Jamessuckling.com

92 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe1/16/2023

A medium-bodied red with plum, chocolate and berry aromas and flavors. Pine needles. Medium firm tannins and a walnut, hazelnut undertone to the finish. Crushed stones at the end. 65% merlot, 30% cabernet franc and 5% cabernet sauvignon. Better after 2025 but already approachable.

La Revue du Vin de France

92-93 / 100

the6/7/2021

L’harmonie classique du vin se distingue grâce au fruit radieux de 2020. Dans le respect des équilibres, la structure plus pulpeuse que d’ordinaire livre une chair tendre mais complexe, rehaussée par la finesse de l’année.

Le Figaro

91-93 / 100

the6/2/2021

Nez minéral de sel de céleri, et en bouche une texture qui ne manque pas de finesse ni de fraîcheur, avec ses notes de bâton de réglisse, fruitée. Un vin souple et bien bâti, qui se prolonge par une finale évoluant vers le menthol et réglisse.

Vinous

87-89 / 100

byAntonio Gallonithe6/1/2021

The 2020 Larmande has quite a bit of intensity, but it also feels somewhat compact and closed in on itself, as if the oak is clamping down on the fruit. Dark cherry, chocolate, leather and scorched earth nuances struggle to fully emerge. There is plenty of potential; this just probably needs a slightly lighter hand in the cellar.

Jeb DUNNUCK

89-91 / 100

byJeb Dunnuckthe5/28/2021

More savory red and black fruits, chocolate, lead pencil, and toasted spice notes emerge from the 2020 Château Larmande. Medium-bodied, it has a round, nicely textured mouthfeel, moderate tannins, and a good finish. It doesn't appear to be in the same ballpark as the 2018 at this point yet should still be an outstanding wine.

Vinous

88-90 / 100

byNeal Martinthe5/27/2021

The 2020 Larmande feels strangely reticent on the nose despite encouragement. It gradually opens to offer crisp blackberry, pencil lead and light undergrowth scents, all nicely defined, but it just needs more presence. The palate is medium-bodied and quite peppery in style, with a savory opening and moderate depth. The finish shows some of the vitality absent on the nose. Maybe it’s just a question of time. I’m intrigued to revisit this once in bottle.

The Wine Cellar Insider

91-93 / 100

byJeff Levethe5/21/2021

Chocolate mint, savory herbs, plums, smoke and licorice define the nose. Fresh, silky and juicy, this elegantly textured wine is medium-bodied, refined and fresh, finishing with loads of soft, sweet, polished red and black plums with a spicy kick. This is another nice step up in quality here. 91-93

Wine Advocate

91-93 / 100

byLisa Perrotti-Brownthe5/20/2021

Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2020 Larmande has a beautifully bright perfume of kirsch, crushed black plums, fresh boysenberries and violets, plus suggestions of spice cake, Sichuan pepper and dusty soil. The medium to full-bodied palate has lovely poise with bags of freshness and a soft texture supporting the elegant red and black fruit layers, finishing earthy.

Bernard Burtschy

95-96 / 100

byBernard Burtschythe5/10/2021

Falstaff

91-93 / 100

the5/10/2021

Dunkles Rubingranat, opaker Kern, violette Reflexe, breitere Randaufhellung. Zart nach Velourleder, etwas Nougat, reife Pflaumen, tabakige Würze, kandierte Orangenzesten. Saftig, reife Kirschen, schlanker Körper, gute Frische, integrierte Tannine, dezenter Schokoladetouch im Abgang, bereits gut entwickelt.

My Bettane + Desseauve

91-92 / 100

by Bettane & Desseauvethe5/7/2021