Saint-Estèphe’s prestigious vineyards developed around the Meyney estate. From the middle of the 13th century, the land was managed by Cistercian monks who made it one of the first structured wine-producing properties in the northern Médoc. Long coveted by the wealthy merchants and aristocrats of Bordeaux, the vineyard was returned to the church when Pierre Forthon bequeathed it to the Pères Feuillants in 1625, the official date of the crea on of the estate. The term «château» was attached to Meyney by the Luetkens family in the 19th century, when it entered the modern era thanks to a series of inspired women. In 1919, the Cordiers, a powerful family of merchants, acquired the property and developed an international reputa on and distribtion for Meyney’s wines. Since its acquisition by the Crédit Agricole group in 2004, this sleeping beauty has been awakened under the leadership of Anne Le Naour.
The 2020 presents a countenance of iron and spice, held in a glossy glove of ripeness. The terroir of St Estèphe still pushes through, but then the Petit Verdot lays down its earthy spiciness. After ageing, the wine displays the remarkable charm of the best Saint-Estèphe: complexity, balance and harmony.
Blend: 52% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, 13% Petit Verdot
94 Jeb Dunnuck The 2020 Chateau Meyney is a solid step up, with more elegance and finesse, as well as structure. Giving up medium-bodied aromas and flavors of darker currants, black cherries, classy oak, tobacco leaf, and damp earth, it has terrific overall balance, building, fine-grained tannins, and a great finish. It has some accessibility today yet will benefit from 3-5 years of bottle age and keep for two decades.
94 Wine Enthusiast This estate has produced a densely textured wine, rich in tannins and packed with dark, concentrated black fruits. There is a muscular character, structured and with fine promise for longterm aging. Barrel Sample: 92-94
93 James Suckling Attractive aromas of ripe dark berries with dark spices, walnut, chocolate nibs and bark. Medium- to full-bodied with a dense, velvety texture and plush, fine-grained tannins. Very textural and creamy with a deep core of ripe dark fruit and a succulent finish.
93 Decanter Lovely aromatic expression, floral and richly scented with ripe black cherry and salty blueberry. Cool and charming, this makes an impact straight away with a push of ripe, gently chewy tannins which expand and coat the mouth. More expansive and less narrow than some from this appellation at this point. Feels a bit more approachable but still with structure and push. Lots of freshness, wide, minty and salty. Nuanced, savoury and satisfying.
92 Robert Parker's Wine Advocate A strong performance for this improving estate, the 2020 Meyney unwinds in the glass with aromas of dark berries, plums, violets, cigar box and loamy soil. Medium to full-bodied, with a pure and fleshy core of fruit framed by sweet, powdery tannins and lively acids, it has retained energy and balance in this warm vintage.
92 Wine Spectator Solidly built, with lilac, red currant and mulled damson plum notes that mix well, all held by a thin but tensile iron note through the middle, which then extends a mouthwatering feel on the finish. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot.
