Château de Nivelle 2020

Château de Nivelle is a small estate in the centre of Bordeaux's Entre-Deux-Mers, growing Merlot with a little Cabernet Sauvignon. It's been in the Luiz family now for four generations and excels with smooth, fruit-filled claret, that have immediate appeal. That's especially true of the 2020 vintage, the third great year in succession. Critic James Suckling wrote of the "an outstanding quality level from first growths to petit châteaux.” Yields, however, were down, due to mildew trouble in spring and the intense heat of summer, which means, on the upside, there's delicious concentration to the wines too. For best results, open the bottle early and decant. It'll be a winner with roast meats or equally with pasta with a wild mushroom ragú.