The 2019 Meyney has a well-defined, fragrant, floral bouquet of ample red currant and cranberry fruit, touches of pencil shaving and smoke emerging with aeration, followed later by the tertiary aspect that one associates with the appellation. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy black fruit, black pepper and graphite, tightening toward the finish but still showing fine length. This is a very fine Meyney that may warrant a higher score down the line.
Perhaps this vineyard should have been granted Grand Cru Classe back in 1855 but then it lacked the much needed contacts within the hierarchy of Bordeaux. Today, as one of the oldest Chateau in Medoc and as a Cru Bourgeois estate, it offers excellent value.
Known as a vineyard comparable with its second growth neighbour Chateau Montrose and first growth Latour with its situation on the slopes leading down to the river Gironde and sharing the same gravel and clay soils as found at Petrus. 2019 is a very fine vintage, a solar one! A dry and milder than average winter gave way to a rainy spring with cool nights. Bud burst and flowering therefore came relatively early. The vineyard remained in a very good state of health. As in 2016 & 2018, the summer was characterised by high temperatures, with a few scattered showers (two redeeming spells of rain in July and August). It is a vintage of the climate, as much as of the terroir. The grapes were excellent and with a richness that Meyney would like to replicate each year.
Following hand-picking and selection of the grapes on the vines, they are de-stalked and carefully sorted once more. Fermentation is carried out in temperature controlled stainless-steel or concrete tanks. The assemblage is made up of 57% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Merlot and 16% Petit Verdot. After blending, the wine is aged from 16 to 18 months in French oak barrels, 30% to 40% of which are new.
Herb crusted beef.
95 Points - Neal Martin "The 2019 Meyney has a divine bouquet, so pure and winsome with floral red berry scents, beautifully integrated new oak and superb precision. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins, fleshy to the point where you can almost overlook the backbone of this Saint-Estèphe. It could have been blowsy, yet it retains superb balance and feels luxuriant and long on the finish. This is a stellar showing easily eclipsing its performances either in barrel or just after bottling."
94+ Points - Thomas Park MW "Deep colour with a smoky, rich nose of cedar and sandalwood together with cassis fruit. There is real stuffing and structure here, balancing cool but ripe black fruit with bold chalky tannins in a typically Medocain style. Dense and impressive, this is a serious Cabernet-led style with a sappy, still slightly firm finish. Great typicity with good length, it should unfurl nicely over the next decade in bottle and provide excellent drinking pleasure."
