If you are a fan of Merlot and Cabernet Franc blends from the Right Bank, it is impossible not to be enthralled by what is taking place in the Cotes de Bordeaux today.
With terroir that at its best can compete with some of the better vineyards in St. Emilion, 2020 Cotes de Bordeaux has produced numerous, sublime wines. Of course, with so many appellations in the Cotes de Bordeaux, and varying levels of terroir and vineyard management, the level of character and quality of 2020 Cotes de Bordeaux varies, as you would expect.
But, a perusal of the wines below that we were able to taste clearly shows readers that there is a lot to like and even love about 2020 Cotes de Bordeaux. In fact, a few estates in Cotes de Castillon really knocked it out of the park, producing probably the best wines in the history of the estate! However, you can also find fabulous wines from Cotes de Francs, Cotes de Bourg, Cotes de Blaye and Cotes de Cadillac.
With the forward character of the 2020 Bordeaux vintage, most of these wines are going to be simply delicious in their youth. Yet, they can age for up to two decades in the best vineyards. Add to that, these gems remain well-priced for their level of quality and it is easy to see that 2020 Cotes de Bordeaux is a region to take a serious look at.
All of the following 2020 Cotes de Bordeaux wines were tasted in non-blind conditions in early January 2023.
2020 dAiguilhe – Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux – Round, lush, and polished, there is a wealth of fruit and freshness here that is made even better due to the notes of crushed rocks, stones, and oceanic influences. On the palate the wine is silky, lifted, and fruity, finishing with ample length, and a cool salty touch. Drink from 2023-2038. 94 Pts
2020 dAiguilhe Blanc – Bordeaux – Green apples, white peach, honeysuckle, and tangerine come to the surface of the nose. The wine is sweet, round, lush, and fresh, with creamy textures and yellow citrus with a background note of honey that comes in at the end of the finish. The wine is produced from 100% Sauvignon Blanc. Drink from 2023-2030. 92 Pts
2020 Alcee – Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux – Deeply colored, the wine shows off its nose of licorice, flowers, red pit fruits, and crushed rocks effortlessly. On the palate, the wine is medium-bodied, richly textured, lush, and silky, with freshness, and loads of mineral-driven, red fruits, and chocolate in the finish. If you are not familiar with this beauty, you should be, because this stunner sells for a song for a wine of its quality. This should drink well with just a year or two of aging (If you can wait that long.) Drink from 2024-2037. 93 Pts
2020 Ampelia – Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux – Espresso, cocoa, and plums are front, and center here, on the nose, and palate, which ends with soft, supple-textured, sweet, fresh, red fruits, and toasty oak. You can enjoy this with pleasure on release. Drink from 2023-2034. 90 Pts
2020 Beaulieu – Côtes de Bourg – Bright, crisp, salty red fruits with an herb, and earthy edge for near-term drinking. Drink from 2023-2028. 85 Pts
2020 Belle Coline – Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux – Soft, polished, medium-bodied, ripe, and creamy, the sweet, fresh red fruits are silky, and vibrant, with some nice staying power. Drink from 2023-2035. 91 Pts
2020 Beynat Cuvée Léonard – Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux – Black cherries, spearmint, and black raspberries open the nose. The wine is medium-bodied, bright, fresh, savory, and earthy, with a minty edge to the red berries, and black licorice in the finish. Drink from 2023-2031. 88 Pts
2020 Bourdieu – Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux – The first thing you notice is the oceanic fragrance before you discover the forest floor, red fruits, and savory herbs. Medium-bodied, forward, and fruity, there is a nice polish to the fruits on the palate, and in the finish. Drink from 2023-2029. 89 Pts
2020 Bourdieu Absolu – Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux – Round, lush, fruity, and fresh, with good energy on the palate that carries through from start to finish, ending with a nice hit of chocolate covered black cherries, and French roasted Espresso beans in the finish. Drink from 2023-2030. 92 Pts
2020 Bourdieu N1 – Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux – Smoky, chew red, chewy fruits, with a peppery edge, and loads of chocolate, and licorice to add to the fun. Round, soft, and polished, this is already delicious in your glass. Drink from 2023-2032. 91 Pts
2020 Brehat – Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux – Licorice, cooking spice, plums, and cherries are at the core of this medium-bodied, forward, soft, round, supple-textured wine that will offer a lot of pleasure on release, and over the next few years. Drink from 2023-2030. 90 Pts
2020 Cap de Faugeres – Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux – Medium-bodied, round, lush, and forward, with a dusty-textured, chocolate, and plum core of ripe, sweet fruits, polished tannins, and a touch of spicy, espresso in the finish. Drink from 2023-2035. 91 Pts
2020 Charreau Wilson Silla – Cadillac Côtes de Bordeaux – Medium-bodied, savory-tinted, red fruits with a hint of charcoal, and green, leafy herbs on the nose, and green leafy palate that will be best over the next few years. Drink from 2023-2026. 83 Pts
2020 Clarisse Cuvée Allegria – Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux – Dark plums cherries, spice, and toasty oak crowd into the nose. On the palate, the wine is lush, supple, and packed with more of those, sweet, ripe, dark red fruits, even darker chocolate, and espresso. This should drink well on release. This is the debut vintage for Clarisse in the Cotes de Castillon appellation. Drink from 2023-2036. 90 Pts
2020 Claud-Bellevue – Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux – Fresh, vibrant, supple-textured charmer with a core of sweet ripe, juicy cherries, espresso, and cocoa, with a hint of crushed stone on the nose, and palate. With all of its ripe, sweet, fresh berries, this is going to be just great on release. Drink from 2023-2035. 90 Pts
2020 Clos Lunelles – Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux – Full-bodied, racy, and sensual, the wine is lush, opulent, and rich, coating your palate with multiple layers of black plums, black cherries, licorice, chalky tannins, and crushed rocks. There is intensity, length, complexity, and opulence that is already just great. But wait for a bit, and it promises to be even better. This is the equal of many of the best Saint-Emilion wines as it comes from similar, limestone terroirs. Drink from 2024-2045. 94 Pts
2020 Clottiers – Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux – Medium-bodied, vibrant, fresh, light, early-drinking wine that will offer its sweet, albeit uncomplicated red fruits on release. Drink from 2023-2029. 86 Pts
2020 Cote Montpezat “Cuvée Compostelle” – Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux – Showy black, and red fruits, chewy tannins, crushed rocks, and stones with freshly brewed espresso notes are all over the place here on the nose, palate, and chalky finish in this character-filled wine. Drink from 2023-2036. 90 Pts
2020 Croix Lartigue – Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux – Licorice, cocoa, espresso, and flower aromatics are quite easy to find. The wine is medium-bodied, soft, elegant, sweet, and vibrant with red plums and cherries at the core of its polished, and supple-textured finish. This will be quite nice to enjoy on release. Drink from 2023-2035. 92 Pts
2020 de Francs – Côtes de Francs – Peppery red fruits with touches of flowers, herbs, and rocks open the nose, and palate of this forward, vibrant, fresh, red plum and spice-filled wine. The chalky finish packs in a lot of fruit. Drink from 2023-2031. 90 Pts
2020 de Francs L’Infini – Côtes de Francs – The top wine of the trio from Chateau de Francs is packed with chocolate-coated red fruits, crushed rocks, and a hint of espresso. The medium-bodied wine is fresh, vibrant, ripe, and sweet, with a mineral-driven finish. Drink from 2023-2037. 92 Pts
2020 de Francs Les Cerisiers – Bordeaux Côtes de Francs – Medium-bodied, spicy red fruits with floral accents are all over the place here in this medium-bodied, sweet, and savory, chewy red berry-filled wine. There is a nice touch of crushed rocks in the finish. Drink from 2023-2034. 90 Pts
2020 de Laussac – Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux – Flowers, cherries, and Indian spice notes come through easily on the nose. Medium-bodied, soft, polished, and fresh, the finish leaves you with sweet, lifted cherries, and a hint of cocoa on the mid-palate that stays through to the backend. Drink from 2023-2035. 90 Pts
2020 de Taste – Côtes de Bourg – Spicy, earthy, and with a strong, underbrush, and earthy accent to the red fruits, the wine is forward, medium-bodied, and chewy, with more of that savory character in the endnote. Drink from 2023-2030. 85 Pts
2020 Des Mille Anges – Cadillac Côtes de Bordeaux – Medium-bodied, oaky, chewy, savory, red fruits with an earthy, dusty, round, fruit, and herb-packed finish. Drink from 2023-2029. 86 Pts
2020 Domaine de Saint Amand – Cadillac Côtes de Bordeaux – Dried flowers, leafy herbs, and red cherries form the core of this forward, soft, sweet, easy-to-like, and easy-to-drink wine that will be best in its youth. Drink from 2023-2028. 87 Pts
2020 Dubois-Grimon – Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux – Deep red fruits, flowers, and blackberries with a hint of spice open the nose. On the medium-bodied palate, the wine is even better with its rich, lushly-textured blast of sweet plums, cinnamon, and chocolate n the backend. Drink from 2023-2034. 90 Pts
2020 Fayau Cuvee Jean Medeville – Cadillac Côtes de Bordeaux – Forward, medium-bodied, leafy red berry-filled wine with chewy textures, and a crisp, spearmint, and red berry pleasant finish. Drink from 2023-2027. 86 Pts
2020 Gigault Cuvee Viva – Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux – Black cherries, plums, espresso, flowers, and licorice, notes are easy to find in the nose. The wine is soft, supple-textured, medium-bodied, and fresh, with a sweet, ripe, vibrant, cherry, plum, and chocolate mid-palate, and finish. This will be just great on release, and over the next decade or more. Drink from 2023-2037. 91 Pts
2020 Grands Marechaux – Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux – With espresso, cocoa, and cherries on the nose, the wine starts off great. Much better in the bottle, this is the best vintage of Les Grands Marechaux I recall tasting. There are loads of ripe, sweet, dark black cherries, licorice, a bit of chocolate on the nose, and a medium-bodied palate. It is hard to find a better value in an early drinking wine. Drink from 2023-2032. 90 Pts
2020 Haut Bertinerie – Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux – Savory-tinted red fruits, forest leaf, and a touch of cocoa are all over the nose, and palate. The elegant, soft, polished, plum and cherry-filled wine will be ready to go on release. The finish offers soft plums and cocoa notes. Drink this on the young side. Drink from 2023-2030. 90 Pts
2020 Haut Coulon – Cadillac Côtes de Bordeaux – Medium-bodied, sweet, and tart, chalky wine with a tart, chewy, savory red berry finish. Drink from 2023-2029. 87 Pts
2020 Haut Ventenac L’Authentique – Bordeaux Côtes de Francs – Crisp, crunchy, tart red fruits with a distinctive, savory, olive accent to the red fruits with a touch of salt in the medium-bodied endnote. Drink from 2023-2030. 85 Pts
2020 Joanin Becot – Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux – Flowers, truffle, sweet cherries, and cocoa create the nose. Medium-bodied, silky, sensuous, fresh, and packed with layers of ripe red fruits, and a touch of cocoa on the backend in the finish that already express a beautiful sense of purity. This is in contention for one of the top vintages of Joanin Becot ever produced. Drink from 2023-2036. 93 Pts
2020 La Brande – Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux – Smoky cherries, black plums, flowers, espresso, and licorice create the nose. The wine is soft, polished, medium-bodied, round, fresh, juicy, and sweet. Plus it is already easy-to-like, and enjoy. Drink from 2023-2035. 90 Pts
2020 La Chapelle – Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux – Savory-edged red fruits, with touches of wet earth, salt, and herbs open this medium-bodied, forward, soft, polished wine. Drink from 2023-2032. 88 Pts
2020 La Levertte – Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux – Medium-bodied, fruity, crisp, and chewy, with ample ripe, savory, red fruits with a pleasant, savory, herbal, minty finish. Drink from 2023-2028. 88 Pts
2020 La Rame La Charmille – Cadillac Côtes de Bordeaux – Crisp, bright, tart, and savory, with a core of bright, red pit fruits, and cranberries on the nose, palate, and herbal, crunchy finish. 2023-2027. 83 Pts
2020 La Tuiliere Les Armoires – Côtes de Bourg – Already showing more secondary notes of leaves, herbs, and forest floor than fruit in the nose, the wine moves to its round, savory, edged, red fruit palate with its leafy, drying finish. Drink from 2023-2028. 84 Pts
2020 Laussac Cuvee Sacha – Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux – Still a bit oaky at the moment, but once past the oak, you find loads of sweet, ripe, black cherries, blackberries, and plums. Round, lush, and fresh with a blast of chocolate, and cherries that shine all the way through to the lusciously-textured finish. Drink from 2023-2037. 92 Pts
2020 Le Clos du Merle – Côtes de Bourg – Earthy, dark cherries with a strong herbal edge on the nose, and on the medium-bodied, savory, olive, and dried herb palate. Drink from 2023-2026. 83 Pts
2020 Le Rey Argileuses Parcelles 1 et 3 – Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux – Black cherries, licorice, and a hint of espresso open the nose. Silky, and fresh, the wine is already disarmingly easy to drink due to its layers of sweet, ripe, and vibrant red fruits with their polished, silk finish. Drink from 2023-2034. 92 Pts
2020 Le Rey Les Rocheuses Parcelles 5 & 6 – Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux – Flowers, sea salt, coffee bean, wet earth, and black plums grace the nose. On the palate, the wine is medium-bodied, elegant, and fresh, with silky, vibrant, layers of black cherries, and spice that express their essence with little effort. This will be fabulous on release! Drink from 2023-2032. 92 Pts
2020 Les Bertrands Nectar des Bertrands – Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux – Cigar box, leafy herbs, truffle, crushed rock, and red fruits show in the nose, and on the earthy, savory, minty, red berry palate. It has been ages since I’ve seen this wine. It is a solid, well-priced, wine from the Cotes de Blaye. It will be ready to go on release. Drink from 2023-2030. 89 Pts
2020 Les Charmes-Godard Blanc – Côtes de Francs – Green apples, pears, dried white flowers, and tangerine skin show in the nose, while the palate is all about the vibrant, salty essence of fresh, juicy, grapefruits, lemon, and luscious white peaches. Drink from 2023-2030. 91 Pts
2020 Montlandrie – Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux – Deep, dark, earthy plums, black cherry liqueur, truffles, flowers, and espresso beans create the perfume. On the palate, the wine is silky, opulent, and fresh, with a nice sweetness to the layers of red, and black fruits that fill, and linger on your palate. This is the best vintage of Montlandrie I have ever tasted! Drink from 2024-2036. 93 Pts
2020 Moya – Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux – Much better from the bottle than it was in the barrel, now, you find a rich, lush, round, fruit-packed wine with layers of sweet, ripe, plums, and black cherries with freshness from start to finish in the medium-bodied charmer. Drink from 2023-2035. 90 Pts
2020 Paloma – Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux – Flowers, chocolate, plums, and orange rind notes pop in the perfume. On the palate, the wine is medium-bodied, soft, polished, fruity, and fresh, with a silky-edged, plum, and cocoa-oriented finish.Drink from 2023-2033. 91 Pts
2020 Paloma 360 – Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux – Forward, soft, silky, fruity, sweet, and ripe, this is a perfect, fruit-filled, plummy charmer that is ready to go, with all of its ripe, cherries, cocoa, mint, and plums. Drink from 2023-2029. 89 Pts
2020 Payre – Cadillac Côtes de Bordeaux – Medium-bodied, bright, crisp, chewy, sweet, and tart, early-drinking, slightly, rustic textured finish. Drink from 2023-2029. 85 Pts
2020 Pitray – Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux – Flowers, spice, earth, and truffle work together in the nose. On the palate, the wine is Medium-bodied, soft, forward, and fruity, and will be best over the following 8-10 years. Drink from 2023-2032. 88 Pts
2020 Pitray Les Prairies – Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux – The high-end Cuvee from Nina Mitjavile kicks off with notes of smoke, licorice, spice, espresso, and black raspberries. Medium-bodied, silky, vibrant, and fresh, with refined textures, and sweet, red cherries, and strawberry with a touch of chocolate in the finish. Drink from 2023-2034. 90 Pts
2020 Puygueraud – Côtes de Francs – Spearmint, tobacco leaf, cedar, and red fruits create the perfume. On the palate, the wine offers is core of sweet, ripe, dark red fruits, freshness, minerality, and ripe tannins with ease. Drink from 2023-2035. 92 Pts
2020 Reaut – Cadillac Côtes de Bordeaux – Mint, flowers, leafy herbs, and red berry notes create the core of this, forward, bright, medium-bodied, vibrant, red plum wine. There is a wisp of cocoa in the red fruit found in the finish. You can enjoy this on release. Drink from 2023-2032. 87 Pts
2020 Reaut Sans Sulfites – Cadillac Côtes de Bordeaux – Vibrant, fresh, medium-bodied, forward, and with a touch of greenery in the chewy, dusty finish. Drink from 2023-2028. 87 Pts
2020 Reaut Carat de Réaut – Cadillac Côtes de Bordeaux – The top-of-the-line Cuvee from Reaut is forward, round, silky, and fresh, with loads of sweet, ripe, blackberries, and plums. There is length, freshness, and sweet fruit in the finish. Drink from 2023-2035. 90 Pts
2020 Reynon – Cadillac Côtes de Bordeaux – Fresh, medium-bodied, red fruits with touches of salt, flowers, orange rind, and plums. Vibrant, and fruity on the palate, you find cocoa and a hint of espresso in the finish. You can enjoy this with pleasure on release as the wine will be at its best in its youth. Drink from 2023-2031. 88 Pts
2020 Roquevielle Excellence – Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux – Forward, early-drinking, round-textured, medium-bodied, black cherry, and cocoa-filled charmer that will be best over the next few years. Drink from 2023-2028. 88 Pts
2020 Saint-Nicolas – Cadillac Côtes de Bordeaux – Medium-bodied, and spicy with a savory edge, the wine is soft, sweet, round, and fresh, making it perfect for early, near-term enjoyment. Drink this on the young side. Drink from 2023-2030. 88 Pts
2020 Suau Cadillac – Cadillac Côtes de Bordeaux – Medium-bodied, bright, red savory fruit, herbs, and tobacco are what you find here. The finish leaves you with some tartness as well as a dry endnote that will please some tasters more than others. Drink from 2023-2028. 86 Pts
2020 Terrasson – Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux – Medium-bodied, forward, pleasant, fruity, open, soft-textured, red cherry-filled charmer that will be perfect for easy-drinking, near-term enjoyment. Drink from 2023-2028. 87 Pts
2020 Vallier – Cadillac Côtes de Bordeaux – Medium-bodied, forward, soft, fresh, and refined, the wine offers a core of ripe, sweet, red berries with a hint of cocoa on the round-textured palate that carries through from the mid-palate to the short finish. This will be easy to enjoy on release. Drink from 2023-2030. 87 Pts
We are hard at work editing all of our tasting notes as we go along. Continuing with our coverage of the Right Bank, tomorrow we will publish notes and ratings on 2020 Fonrsac and Canon Fronsac Wines followed by Lalande de Pomerol and then Saint Emilion before making our way back to the Medoc and the Left Bank.