2020 Pessac-Léognan, Château Lamothe-Bouscaut

• Style: Merlot-led Bordeaux blend, savoury and structured
• Taste: Plum, blackcurrant, cedar and spice with velvety tannins
• Food: Roast beef, lamb, game, aged cheeses, cured meats
• Occasion: Sunday lunch, date night, formal dinner
• Serve: 16–18°C, decant 30 minutes before serving

In the Glass — Tasting Notes

Deep ruby with an intensity that speaks of ripe fruit. Plum and blackcurrant anchor the palate, bound with cedar and spice, while firm yet supple tannins carry the wine with long, confident length. The 2020 vintage was generous across Bordeaux—an early harvest driven by hot summer weather, yet cool August nights preserved the brightness that makes this blend sing. Velvety texture and refreshing acidity create a wine that drinks beautifully now but rewards patience in the bottle.

The Winery — Château Lamothe-Bouscaut

This medieval estate in Cadaujac found its modern voice when acquired in 1999 by neighbouring Château Bouscaut, under the stewardship of Sophie Lurton and Laurent Cogombles. The nine-hectare vineyard—planted chiefly with Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Sauvignon Blanc—sits on gravelly soils that drain beautifully and encourage concentration. The 2020 blend is 69% Merlot, married with Cabernet Sauvignon and a touch of Malbec for structure. Hand-harvesting, gentle de-stemming, and 12 months in mostly older French oak frame the fruit without overwhelming it. Vines are trained in the simple Guyot system and managed sustainably by hand.

At Your Table — Food Pairing & Serving

This is equally at home with a simple steak or a formal dinner table. Pair it with roasted or braised beef, grilled lamb, game and venison, cured meats and charcuterie, or well-aged hard cheeses. Serve at 16–18°C; decanting 30 minutes before opening reveals its full complexity. Whether you're exploring our Pessac-Léognan collection to understand what serious Bordeaux delivers at this level, or discovering other Merlot wines in our range, this sits alongside the finest expressions of the region we've found. Browse our full France selection for more classics.