All 3 of these wines are available at Total Wine Bloomington for around $30. The Total Wine 15% off wine direct is good for Bordeaux but not so much for their corporate junk from the US. James Suckling really got the Lamarque wrong and that is not his first time missing big time.
- 2019 Château de Lamarque – France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Haut-Médoc (2/16/2025)
Day 1: Pop and pour and will try over 3 days but not very good to start. Plastic, spice, some fruit and pepper. Nothing Bordeaux like right now but not going to give up on the wine. 80 points
Day 2: Wow is this a poorly made wine. Not flawed but just not good. Light and lacks fruit, a plastic taste to it and mild spice. For around $30 I expected a lot more. 75 points
Day 2.5: Sour fruits, plastic, spice and dirt. Had a glass sit out for a while to see if this could open up but no. Just a really poorly made wine. 70 points
Day 3: Well didn’t believe Alexbuss’s assessment of 70 but agree with it now. Wine is very difficult to consume and has that odd plastic taste. Fruit is not very prominent in this wine. Thin wine and low acidic. This wine was bad from the start. 68 points
Day 6: Well the best of all days but just not very good overall. Fruit is a bit off with earth and floral notes. At least lost the plastic taste. 82 points
Recommendation: Beware of 95-point scores from Suckling or Decanter that are at $30 or less.
Figured out why it is not to my liking. James Suckling gave these 95 points (82 points)
- 2020 Achával-Ferrer Quimera – Argentina, Mendoza, Lujan de Cuyo (2/16/2025)
Day 1: Natural cork. 14.6 alcohol. 48% Malbec, 19% Cabernet, 18% Cabernet Franc, 13% Merlot & 2% Petit Verdot. Nice fruit on this wine with blueberries, sour cherry and raspberries. Minerals, mild spice, dried flowers, licorice and tobacco. A very nice drinking wine on a pop and pour and represents solid value. 92 points
Day 2: This improved on day 2 and represents a wonderful value in the wine world. Love the blend and features blue currants, cherry, minerals, tobacco, earth, mild spice, dried flowers and black licorice. Medium plus finish and a true representation of what Argentina can do. 93 points
Recommendation: Well, this never made it to 3 days so you know it is outstanding especially for the price! (93 points)
- 2020 Château La Rose Perrière – France, Bordeaux, Libournais, Lussac-St. Émilion (2/16/2025)
Day 1: Nice offering for under $30.00. Natural cork. Blend of 80% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc, 7% Cabernet & 3% Malbec. A pretty wine with coffee beans, blue currants, mild spice, subtle wood, perfume and fresh cut roses. Shorter to medium finish. Nice value overall. 90 points
Day 2: Nice improvement and a bit more open for business. Shared this yesterday with some friends a local wine shop and they loved it. Even better today. A pretty wine with floral, blue currants, dust, sour cherry, perfume and minerals. While not a strong finish a very balanced wine and worth every penny. 91+ points
Day 3: Very consistent with day 2 and love the floral element on this wine with some nice fruit. For sure a good value under $30. 91 points
Recommendation: Easy purchase and will probably age through 2032. (91 points)
