Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2020 Alcee leaps with energetic scents of warm black cherries, mulberries, and black raspberries, plus suggestions of chocolate box, dried roses, and cardamom. The full-bodied palate is plush and juicy, delivering bags of fragrant black fruits, finishing long and perfumed.

92+ Coming from the Castillon region and based on 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc, the 2020 Château Alcée is another brilliant wine from the Thienpont team. Lots of red and black fruits, white truffle, spice, and some floral notes all emerge from this incredibly elegant, medium-bodied, finesse-driven 2020. It shows lots of limestone character, and I suspect it will benefit from 2-3 years of bottle age. It should evolve nicely through 2032.

Smooth and supple, lots of milk chocolate, salty stones, liquorice and clove joining the blackcurrant, plum and blueberry fruit. Dark yet fresh, the fruit playing with the minerality and a core of really fine but firm tannins. Nice structure and definition, with a hint of sweetness and juicy acidity giving the energy. I like this. A good showing for Castillon. (Drink between 2024-2036)

The 2020 Alcée is packed with inky blue/black fruit, gravel, licorice, iron, cloves, graphite and incense. This virile Côtes de Castillon is loaded, just as it was en primeur. Alcée is a rich, extravagant wine that hugely delivers the goods. There’s plenty of breadth and power, with tannins to match. Give this a year or two in the cellar. Tasted two times. - Antonio Galloni