(91-93 points) The deep garnet-purple colored 2020 le Thil leaps from the glass with bolds scents of crushed black and red plums, mulberries and Morello cherries, plus wafts of cumin seed, lavender and underbrush. The medium to full-bodied palate is chock-full of crunchy black and red berries, framed by ripe, rounded tannins and bags of freshness, finishing with a skip in its step.

Smoked earth, crayon and fleshy blackberry and raspberry fruits. The soils here are clay over limestone, a soil type that worked well in 2020, and although this is austere right now. Traces of peony and blackberry open up through the mid palate, but overall this has both tension and tannins, and is a successful wine from the Cathiard family. (Drink between 2023-2036)

(90-92 points) The Merlot-based 2020 Le Thil is absolutely gorgeous. Deep, inky and voluptuous, Le Thil captures all the natural radiance of the year in Pessac-Léognan. Blackberry jam, chocolate, spice, new leather and incense build as the 2020 shows off its curvy, racy personality. Pretty floral notes lift the finish. This clay/limestone property, unusual for Pessac-Léognan, performed brilliantly. The 2020 is one of the best recent vintages I can remember tasting. It's a total knock-out. -- Antonio Galloni