This is Saint-Emilion in a more relaxed mood, still polished, just less formal about it. The 2020 Chapelle de Seize opens with ripe plum and black cherry, followed by a soft drift of cocoa, sweet spice, and a faint earthy note that keeps things grounded. The fruit feels generous but not showy, shaped by a warm vintage and handled with a light enough touch to keep everything in balance. On the palate, it is smooth and welcoming, with a velvety texture and tannins that feel more like a gentle frame than a firm grip. There is depth here, but it unfolds easily, making the wine approachable now while still holding onto a sense of structure and place. This is a bottle made for the table rather than the cellar. Roast meats, rich vegetables, or a long dinner that starts casually and stretches into the night. Comfortable, expressive, and quietly confident, it delivers that classic Right Bank warmth without asking you to overthink it.
