Jean-Francois Quenin had shown me around the new facilities before we did the tasting: the new system of rack and return as well as a couple of amphorae which account for around 5% in maturation. The third time to do a vertical tasting with Jean-Francois. Specially, this time we've made a double vertical tasting of both grand vin and second label 'Chateau Tour de Pressac' that also displayed unbelievable quality, dwarfing loads of the Saint-Emilion Grands Crus Classes.

Chateau Tour de Pressac 2018 was serious and deep on the spicy and chocolaty nose and palate, with smooth texture. Chateau Tour de Pressac 2019 started to close down. Chateau Tour de Pressac 2020 was noble, austere and fresh on the complex nose that was floral and spicy. Juicy acid and explosive fruit filled the smoothly textured palate. Chateau Tour de Pressac 2021 was precisely fruited on the expressive sniff of sweet violet, crushed raspberry, stone and sweet spices. Mineral-driven on the juicy palate that was polished, ethereal and acidic. Barrel sample of Chateau Tour de Pressac 2022 was aromatic and succulent, with tons of sweet spices&fruits (apricot, blackberry).

See the article of Vertical Tasting of Chateau de Pressac (2020 February) for the details of Chateau de Pressac 2018. Earthy and spicy Chateau de Pressac 2019 was closed. Chateau de Pressac 2020 is a blend of 79% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Franc, 6% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Carmenere and 1% Malbec. A fabulous opus of real sophistication. Pretty restrained at the beginning, but opening up after two hours' aeration. Sweet florality suffused the elegant and aromatic nose with…(for all the details, please subscribe)…terminated in a tension-filled yet satiny aftertaste where the amazing vitality emerged. This wine was perfect for immediate consumption, although its baby fat suggested that the beauty would hold for 30 years at a minimum. Chateau de Pressac 2021 was sweetly floral and spicy on the aroma with subtle depths. Ethereal and fresh on the taste with sharp acid. The barrel sample of Chateau de Pressac 2022 (100% whole bunches for this vintage) that combines 70% Merlot, 17% Cabernet Franc, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, 1.5% Carmenere, 1% Malbec and 0.5% Petit Verdot (the first time to be introduced into the assemblage). Austere while perfumed and graceful on the sniff that was made up of…(for all the details, please subscribe)…buffered by succulent and fresh fruitiness thanks to the carbonic maceration that has been experimented since 2022, all concluding in an acidic finale that had marked ethereality and minerality. Very promising. Chateau de Pressac 2023 was a tank sample.