A confident expression of a terroir west of Pauillac, the Château Haut-Madrac 2020 sits within the tradition of great Médoc wines. Classified as Cru Bourgeois within the Haut-Médoc AOP, it comes from a vineyard of around 25 hectares where the vines dialogue with the gravel soils and the ocean breeze. The sunny but tempered 2020 vintage produced a generous, rhythmic red with a silky mouthfeel and a pronounced structure. You’ll find the signature of accessible age-worthy wines here—able to charm now with generous fruit, while promising subtle development over several years. Its character combines depth and elegance, a style Bordeaux lovers seek to elevate both casual indulgences and more formal dinners.

Blend and winemaking

This wine is made from a Bordeaux blend whose dominant varieties vary by vintage, crafted to express the balance between structuring freshness and the flesh of the fruit. The 2020 harvest was vinified with careful attention, then aged in oak barrels, with a share of new wood, for 12 to 18 months depending on the batches. This élevage brings a noble grain, perfectly integrated toasty notes and a finely rounded tannic frame. Overall it preserves the brightness of the raw material and refines the length, revealing a seductive texture and a persistent finish. At around 13.5% vol, the alcohol balance supports the depth without masking the freshness of the finish.

Tasting notes

• Colour: Deep garnet with purple highlights, clear and bright, promising density and energy.
• Nose: Generous bouquet of blackcurrant, blackberry and black plum, underscored by cedar, soft spices and delicately toasted oak, with a touch of graphite and cocoa bean.
• Palate: Broad, upright attack, fleshy mid-palate, young but integrated tannins, balance between power and freshness, long flavorful finish on dark fruit with a hint of spice.

Serving temperature and tips

Serve between 16 and 18°C in large wine glasses to enhance the aromatic range and soften the structure. For the 2020 vintage, one hour’s aeration in a decanter helps the tannins to mellow and the oak to integrate with the fruit. Store bottles on their side, away from light, in a cool, consistently ventilated cellar. This Cru Bourgeois has a cellaring potential of up to 10 years depending on storage conditions and your tasting preferences, evolving towards notes of undergrowth, light tobacco and truffle.

Food pairings

• Starters: cured charcuterie, country terrine, Comté gougères.
• First courses: duck tataki, œufs meurette, beef tartare with capers.
• Main courses: honey-glazed duck breast, herb-roasted leg of lamb, pork roast, grilled rib of beef.
• Cheeses: aged Comté, sheep's tomme, Cantal between-age, extra-old mimolette.
• Desserts: chocolate fondant, spiced poached pears, lightly sweet cocoa-hazelnut cake.

Occasions to enjoy

Château Haut-Madrac 2020 is the ideal companion:

• For a Sunday lunch around roasted meat and glazed vegetables.
• At a seasonal dinner where you want a precise, generous red with character.
• As a gift for an aficionado to a fan of classic, refined Bordeaux.

Specifications

• Name: Château Haut-Madrac 2020, Cru Bourgeois
• Appellation: Haut-Médoc AOP
• Type: Red wine
• Vintage: 2020
• Grapes: Bordeaux blend, proportions vary by vintage
• Alcohol content: approx. 13.5% vol
• Ageing: 12 to 18 months in oak barrels, part new oak
• Volume: 75 cl
• Cellaring: up to 10 years
• Serving temperature: 16–18°C