France

Chateau Desmirail

Chateau Desmirail 3eme Cru Classe Margaux

Bordeaux

Margaux

Good depths of cocoa bean and cassis aromatics, juicy with some oak impactful smoke on the finish, good, but the acidity casts its shadow. Antoine Medeville sole oenologist as of this vintage, 10% thermo on the Cabernets, and high Cabernet overall in the blend because the Merlots suffered more, so down to 15%, lowest on record. Denis Lurton owner, Tribaie machine to check density during sorting, and just 22hl/h yield, all vinified in 900hl oak casks, 30% new. Harvest 25 September to 10 October.

Inside Bordeaux

Deep garnet-purple colored. Notes of fruit cake and stewed black cherries hop from the glass with hints of anise and hoisin in the background. The light to medium-bodied palate is soft and approachable with just enough freshness and a lifted finish.

by Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW

The 2023 Desmirail is deep garnet-purple in color. It has a nose of fruitcake and pencil lead, leading to wafts of dried bay leaves, dusty soil, and tobacco. Light-bodied, the palate is thin and lightly chewy, with an abrupt finish.

Ruby plum in colour, this is vibrant but not too intense, clear coffee notes, ripe plum and raspberry puree fruits. Plenty of tannins, and fresh acidities, an enjoyable Desmirail, bitter on the finish as is often the case in 2022.

Raspberry leaf edges to the blackcurrant and bilberry fruits, tight tannnins, cocoa bean and bitter chocolate. It has elegance and finesse, well structured with grilled sandalwood oak notes, austerity clear, and the acidity on the finish is marked. I hesitated over whether to upscore, but the acidity stopped me on a second tasting. 42hl/h yield. Denis Lurton owner at this 38ha estate, Eric Boissenot consultant. Tasted twice.

The 2020 Desmirail is deep garnet-purple in color. Notions of juicy plums and ripe blackcurrants spill from the glass, leading to hints of underbrush, charcoal, and tapenade. The medium-bodied palate is soft and harmonious, with plenty of ripe black fruit on offer and a savory kick to the finish.

Gentle, well-finessed smoke and grilled coffee bean aromatics, adding depth to the ripe blackberry and bilberry fruits. Balanced and enticing stuff from owner Denis Lurton.

En fantastisk vin som jeg ble overrasket over. Etter å ha smakt 2014 vintage som jeg allerede hadde en god opplevelse med, så ble 2016 fort en sikker vinner — var ikke kjipt med en magnum da

Tåler flere år på baken, denne kan fint ligge i 10-15 år til

Amateur

Smoked, grilled almonds, sandalwood and liquorice, this has plenty of punch but struggles to deliver the vivid fruit that should be one of the defining characteristics of the 2010 vintage. Harvest September 29 to October 19. Jacques Boissenot consultant.

Dark brambled berry fruits, medium intensity, grilled almonds on the opening beats, oak influence still evident and it swamps the initially appealing ripe fruit. Luscious texture, with rosemary and pulses of bitter cocoa bean and espresso. Starts off well, but is swamped by the end and struggles to find balance. Harvest 24 September to 15 October, Jacques Boissenot consultant.

The conditions of 2005 had enough acidity to fix the colour and enough fruit to ensure its depth, and this remains ruby red. The nose is a little subdued, with touches of rust and earth on the palate. Always an estate that flies under the radar, one of the more discreet 1855 châteaux, and this is enjoyable but lacks the 2005 magic that you can find in many Margaux. Blond tobacco, red cherry, raspberry puree, tobacco, a little soft on the finish.

2024	No priceNot available	Excellent
2023	No priceNot available	Very Good
2022	No priceNot available	Excellent
2021	No priceNot available	Very Good
2020	No priceNot available	Excellent

Category	Red wine
Vinmonopolet no.
Producer	Chateau Desmirail
Vintages	2024
Country	France, Bordeaux, Margaux
Bottle	75 cl

Alcohol	%
Acid	%
Sugar	g/l

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