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Burgundy 2020 En Primeur (77)

“Genuinely great wines, as well as many good to excellent wines that will deliver immense pleasure.”

-William Kelley

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Due to the high quality of the vintage and limited quantities, demand is sure to be very high.
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    Bordeaux 2021 Releases

    Pricing, scores and critic notes of all our current releases.

    ‘The 2021 Batailley shows promise, exhibiting aromas of cassis, plums, licorice, cigar wrapper, loamy soil and dark chocolate, followed by a medium to full-bodied, layered and charming palate built around ripe, powdery tannins. Supple and giving, it will offer a broad drinking window.’ 90-92 points, William Kelley, Wine Advocate

    £165 per 6 bottle case in bond | Find out more

    ‘The 2018 La Réserve de Léoville Barton is effusive and boisterous right out of the gate. The estate’s second wine offers tons of immediacy, with scents of blueberry, pencil shavings, lavender, and menthol open in the glass – Drink 2022-2030′ 90 points, Antonio Galloni – March 2021

    £125 per 6 bottle case in bond / £265 per 6 magnum case in bond | Find out more

    ‘From a 4.5-hectare vineyard on the plateau of Pomerol adjacent to Le Pin and one of La Fleur-Pétrus’s parcels, the 2021 La Croix St Georges offers up pretty aromas of cherries, raspberries, rose petals and violets, framed by a discreet patina of spicy new oak. Medium-bodied, ample and fleshy, with supple tannins and a lively spine of acidity, it’s a charming, characterful middleweight from a prime terroir. Tasted twice.’ – 91-93 points, William Kelley, Wine Advocate

    £180 per 6 bottle case in bond | Find out more

    ‘The 2021 Puygueraud Blanc shows just how compelling the vintage is for whites. Bright and yet also beautifully textured, the Blanc is gorgeous right out of the gate. Lemon confit, white flowers, mint and a touch of reduction on the finish all grace the 2021. In this vintage, the Blanc has a bit more Sauvignon Gris done in barrel, which adds a touch of weight that works so well here.’ 89-91 points, Antonio Galloni, Vinous

    £51 per 6 bottle case in bond | Find out more

    ‘The 2021 Doisy-Daëne L’Extravagant is phenomenally great. It offers up a head-spinning mélange of grilled pineapple, ginger, tangerine oil, candied orange peel and cloves. Rich and unctuous, but not at all heavy, L’Extravagant is seriously impressive. It captures all of the intensity of the year and yet retains terrific energy. The 2021 is simply dazzling from start to finish.’ 96-98 points, Antonio Galloni, Vinous

    £144 per half bottle OWC in bond | Find out more

    Incorporating fully 81% Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2021 Duhart-Milon unwinds in the glass with aromas of sweet berries, cigar wrapper and pencil shavings. Medium to full-bodied, lively and persuasively concentrated, with beautifully refined tannins and a long, penetrating finish, it’s a classy, serious wine that reflects all the progress this estate has been making over the last decade.’ 91-93+ points, Neal Martin

    £336 per 6 bottle case in bond | Find out more

    ‘The 2021 Carruades de Lafite is a dark, brooding wine. Dense and plush, with quite a bit of tannin presence, Carruades is quite distinctive in 2021. Blue/purplish fruit and floral notes show tremendous primary intensity. Bright acids on the finish add an attractive sense of freshness that is quite appealing. The 2021 is a serious Carruades.’ 91-93 points, Antonio Galloni, Vinous

    £990 per 6 bottle case in bond | Find out more

    ‘The 2021 Coutet needs time to cohere in the glass, eventually offering scents of dried honey, pressed flowers and quince. It just needs a little more pizzazz. The palate is well balanced with fine acidity and good weight and tension, showing the energy that is slightly lacking on the nose at the moment. Maybe it could benefit from more unctuousness on the finish, but this remains an enjoyable Barsac that will gain complexity with bottle age.’ 93-95 points, Antonio Galloni

    £188 per 6 bottle case in bond | Find out more

    ‘’The 2021 La Prade shows terrific density and depth. Angular contours need time to soften, but there is more Franc in the blend this year, which no doubt informs the wine’s overall feel. Aromatic, deep and also wonderfully vibrant, the 2021 offers quite a bit of potential. Bold red plum fruit, iron, blood orange and cinnamon build into the deep, explosive finish. This is a stellar showing. Tasted three times.’ 89-91 points, Antonio Galloni

    £116 per 12 bottle case in bond | Find out more

    ‘The 2021 Pavie is a wine of tremendous potential. Naturally, it shows the more mid-weight style of the year and yet there is plenty of depth as well as energy that starts to emerge with a bit of time in the glass. Bright saline notes shape the wine while extending the finish and adding so much drive. The 2021 is shaping up to be a very special wine. All it needs is time’. 88-90 points, Neal Martin

    £138 per 6 bottle case in bond | Find out more

    ‘‘The 2021 Pavie is a wine of tremendous potential. Naturally, it shows the more mid-weight style of the year and yet there is plenty of depth as well as energy that starts to emerge with a bit of time in the glass. Bright saline notes shape the wine while extending the finish and adding so much drive. The 2021 is shaping up to be a very special wine. All it needs is time.’ 95-97 points, Antonio Galloni, Vinous

    £1,392 per 6 bottle case in bond | Find out more

    ‘‘The 2021 Cheval Blanc is one of the wines of the vintage. Vertical and aristocratic in bearing, Cheval is just stunning. Time in the glass brings out compelling inner sweetness and perfume to play off a core of rich dark fruit, gravel, spice, menthol and dried flowers. I also tasted the final three blending components, none of which hints at the magnificence of the Grand Vin. Stunning.’ 96-98 points, Antonio Galloni, Vinous

    £2,370 per 6 bottle case in bond | Find out more

    ‘The 2021 Le Petit Cheval is fabulous. A parcel of Cabernet Sauvignon typically used for the Grand Vin gives the 2021 its core of dark fruit. Heady and explosive in the glass, the 2021 offers up a spellbinding array of dark fruit rose petal, mocha, incense and licorice. All the elements meld together so effortlessly. The 2021 is a dazzling Petit Cheval. That’s all there is to it.’ 92-94 points, Antonio Galloni, Vinous

    £780 per 6 bottle case in bond | Find out more

    ‘‘One of the wines of the vintage, the 2021 Léoville Las Cases is reminiscent of a hypothetical blend of the 1999 and 1996—only better. Offering up incipiently complex aromas of cassis, plums and dark berries mingled with loamy soil, cigar wrapper and exotic spices, it’s full-bodied, layered and multidimensional, with superb amplitude and concentration, velvety tannins, lively acids and a long, penetrating finish. Uniting classicism and charm, it exemplifies how a great terroir, exigent agronomy and meticulous winemaking can deliver greatness even in a less propitious vintage. It’s a blend of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Cabernet Franc and a mere 5% Merlot this year, checking in at 13.2% alcohol. ’ 95-97 points, William Kelley, Wine Advocate

    £975 per 6 bottle case in bond | Find out more

    ‘The 2021 Le Petit Lion is a wine of real breath and textural intensity. Black cherry, plum, leather, spice, menthol, licorice and graphite all build in the glass. The Petit Lion has the potential to be one of the Sleepers of the vintage. It has all the class and breadth of its bigger sibling, but in miniature. I loved it’. 92-94 points, Antonio Galloni, Vinous

    £250 per 6 bottle case in bond | Find out more

    ‘The first vintage vinified in the Barton family’s new winery, the 2021 Langoa Barton is immensely promising, offering up aromas of cassis, cigar wrapper, loamy soil and black truffle, followed by a medium to full-bodied, velvety and seamless palate that’s deep and complete, its vibrant core of fruit framed by ripe tannins and lively acids. It’s a blend of 61% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Merlot and 3% Cabernet Franc. Tasted three times.’ 92-94 points, William Kelley, Wine Advocate

    £178 per 6 bottle case in bond | Find out more

    ‘The 2021 Léoville-Barton was picked from 27 September to 7 October, matured in 60% new oak. The alcohol is 13.12%. It has a clean and pure bouquet with blackberry, bilberry, cedar and hints of shucked oyster shell: focused and very well delineated, classic in style. The palate has a smooth and cohesive entry, very well-knit with beautifully integrated oak. Crisp acidity with the perfect amount of tension on the classically styled finish, this Léoville Barton demonstrates the advantages of their brand new cellar (even though the reception was not finished in time!) I cannot see any reason not to own a few bottles of this in your cellar.’  93-95 points, Neal Martin

    £335 per 6 bottle case in bond | Find out more

    ‘Very serious, concentrated, ambitious nose with high tones and real interest. Organic certification in progress. Grip and flavour in abundance.’ 16.5 points, Jancis Robinson MW, jancisrobinson.com

    £120 per 6 bottle case in bond | £125 per 6 magnums in bond | Find out more

    ‘The late-ripening, low-yielding vintage has delivered a beautifully balanced wine of striking intensity in the 2021 Palmer. Unwinding in the glass with complex aromas of blackberries, exotic spices, licorice, violets and burning embers, it’s full-bodied, layered and enveloping, with a deep, concentrated core of fruit, ripe tannins and lively acids, concluding with a long, expansive finish. If recent vintages of Palmer have set new records in their power and richness, the 2021 marks a return to the classical proportions of the 1990s—with all the additional concentration and precision that Thomas Douroux’s pioneering viticulture and thoughtful winemaking have brought to the equation at this address in the interim. The grand vin is a blend of 56% Merlot, 41% Cabernet Sauvignon and 3% Petit Verdot, picked between September 24 and October 15. Tasted twice.’ 95-97 points, William Kelley, Wine Advocate

    £1,422 per 6 bottle case in bond | Find out more

    ‘Palmer’s 2021 Alter Ego is fabulous. Dense and rich in the glass, with positively explosive energy, the 2021 dazzles from start to finish. A rush of dark cherry, plum, spice, blood orange, menthol and licorice infuses the palate with tremendous intensity. Hints of rose petal and pomegranate appear later to round things out. The 2021 possesses tremendous textural richness that is evident from the very first taste. The aromatics alone are especially present today.’ 92-94 points, Antonio Galloni, Vinous

    £330 per 6 bottle case in bond | Find out more

    ‘The 2021 is the most classically Pauillac Pontet-Canet I have tasted in modern times. Medium in body, with striking aromatic presence, the 2021 screams with character. Grilled herbs, incense, leather, lavender and plum open with a bit of coaxing, all framed by beams of tannin and bright, salivating acids that give the wine shape and real sense of direction. There’s a bit more Petit Verdot in this year’s blend, and that comes through in the wine’s intensely savory profile. Aging is 50% in new wood, 35% in amphora and 15% in one year-old barrels. The 2021 was impressive all three times I tasted it.’ 93-95 points, Antonio Galloni, Vinous

    £445 per 6 bottle case in bond | Find out more

    ‘A brilliant wine that signposts this estate’s evolution under Stéphanie de Boüard-Rivoal, the 2021 Angélus is a blend of 60% Cabernet Franc and 40% Merlot, with fully half of the old-vine Cabernet Franc maturing in foudres rather than 225-liter barriques. The result is a wine of unprecedented purity and finesse, unwinding in the glass with compelling aromas of plums, raspberries, rose petals, vine smoke, blood orange and warm spices, followed by a medium to full-bodied, deep and layered palate with a rich and fleshy core that entirely conceals its structuring chassis of ultra-refined tannins. Bright and sapid, it’s striking for its integration and elegance at this early stage, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see it upstage a number of more touted vintages once it’s in bottle.’ 94-96+ points, Antonio Galloni, Vinous

    £1,560 per 6 bottle case in bond | Find out more

    ‘This vintage, Noëmie Durantou decided that one lot of Cabernet Franc was so good that she took it out of La Chenade and blended it into the 2021 Les Cruzelles. It has a lovely nose with blackberry, redcurrant, undergrowth and hints of bell pepper, that Cabernet lending more complexity. The palate is very well balanced with good depth and freshness, spicier than usual with a persistent finish. This would be my pick for Durantou if their Pomerol wines are out of reach.’ 90-92 points, Neal Martin

    £210 per 12 bottle case in bond | Find out more

    ‘The 2021 Lynch-Bages, picked at 34hL/ha and matured in 75% new oak for a planned 18 months, has an outstanding bouquet, beautifully-defined and sensual, a mixture of black and blueberry fruit, very fragrant. The palate is medium-bodied with grippy tannins, good body and density, quite precise with a tensile finish. This fans out nicely on the finish. A very classy Lynch Bages with echoes of Jean-Michel Cazes’ classics from the late eighties. 13.14% alcohol.’ 94-96 points, Neal Martin

    £510 per 6 bottle case in bond | Find out more

    ‘‘The 2021 Branaire-Ducru is sleek, elegant and nuanced. There is more Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc in the blend than in the 2018-2020 period, when the Merlots were especially successful. As a result, the aromatics are absolutely alluring, but the wine is much less forthcoming on the palate. At 12.9% alcohol, the 2021 is a classically austere Branaire that looks like it will need quite a bit of time to blossom. It is undoubtedly a very pretty wine, even if not fully expressive at this stage. Dark cherry, plum, chocolate, leather and rose petal linger. Tasted three times.’ 93-95 points, Antonio Galloni, Vinous

    £185 per 6 bottle case in bond | Find out more

    ‘‘The 2021 Laroque is a standout. Bright and racy, with tremendous persistence, Laroque stakes its claim as Saint-Émilion’s brightest rising star. Bright limestone accents run through a core of red/purplish fruit, rose petal, mint and white pepper. There is a linear intensity to Laroque that is hugely appealing. Technical Director David Suire fashioned a gem. Don’t miss it.’ 93-95 points, Antonio Galloni, Vinous

    £120 per 6 bottle case in bond | Find out more

    ‘A brilliant wine that shares some similarities with the formidable 1996, the 2021 Lafite Rothschild wafts from the glass with inviting aromas of dark berries, cigar box, loamy soil, black truffle and violets. Medium to full-bodied, deep and layered, it’s rich and concentrated, with beautifully powdery tannins, lively acids and a long, saline finish. Of course, this isn’t as dramatic as the 2020 or 2019 out of the gates, but the 2021 is a brilliant success in its own right. What’s more, its structure and balance mean that it is likely to prove almost immortal. It’s a blend of 96% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Merlot and 1% Petit Verdot, which is one of the all-time highest percentages of Cabernet Sauvignon chez Lafite.’ 95-97 points, William Kelley, Wine Advocate

    £2,904 per 6 bottle case in bond | Find out more

    ‘The 2021 L’Évangile was picked September 21 to October 4, and matured in 50% new oak and 15% in clay amphora. It registers 14.0% alcohol and a pH of 3.65. This is very different and, unsurprisingly, far superior on the nose of black cherries, black truffle, crushed stone and a touch of orange peel; very focused and very Pomerol. The palate is medium-bodied, cohesive and elegant with supple tannins and fine acidity, yet there is real depth and a sense of nascent energy toward the finish. The young Cabernet Franc on gravel soils from the Chantecaille lieu-dit absolutely defines this 2021. A great success for this reenergized estate.’ 94-96 points, Neal Martin

    £1,110 per 6 bottle case in bond | Find out more

    ‘‘Dramatic, rich and imposing, the 2021 Canon is shaping up to be one of the wines of the vintage. Sculpted red purplish fruit, rose petal, lavender, sage and crushed rocks all race out of the glass. A heady, vertical wine, Canon is endowed with tremendous concentration and class. The aromatics alone are beguiling, but it is the wine’s balance that impresses most. Tasted three times. This is such an elegant and regal wine.’ 95-97, Antonio Galloni, Vinous

    £540 per 6 bottle case in bond | Find out more

    ‘‘The 2021 Rauzan-Ségla is absolutely gorgeous. It offers up scents of graphite, savory herbs, licorice, chocolate and plum, all beautifully lifted by strong Cabernet Sauvignon inflections. Naturally, the 2021 doesn’t have the mid-palate richness and overall intensity of recent years. Readers will find a tightly wound Margaux that balances classic structure with modern-day precision. I can’t wait to see how it ages. Tasted four times’. 94-97 points, Antonio Galloni, Vinous

    £360 per 6 bottle case in bond | Find out more

    ‘‘A brilliant achievement, the 2021 Montrose is reminiscent of a purer, more precise, modern-day version of the estate’s 1996. Unwinding in the glass with aromas of blackcurrants, pencil shavings, sweet loamy soil, black truffle and nicely integrated new oak, it’s full-bodied, layered and concentrated, with terrific depth at the core, lively acids and a seamless, harmonious profile. Exhibiting beautifully refined tannins and an impressive sense of completeness, it’s a blend of 62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot—standing out as one of the few top wines of the vintage that actually includes more Merlot and less Cabernet than in recent years.’ 94-96 points, William Kelley, Wine Advocate

    £680 per 6 bottle case in bond | Find out more

    ”This estate is one of the most dynamic in contemporary Bordeaux, so it’s no surprise that the 2021 Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande is a terrific wine—though its a very atypical blend of 88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc and 2% Merlot, cropped at a derisory 15 hectoliters per hectare, hints at what a challenging year this was in the vineyards. Unwinding in the glass with aromas of wild berries, blackcurrants, iris, licorice, black truffles, cigar wrapper and sweet soil tones, it’s medium to full-bodied, layered and textural, with beautifully refined tannins, lively acids and a supple but serious profile. It will see 60% new oak and, in all likelihood, a classical élevage of fully 18 months.’ 94-95+ points, William Kelley, Wine Advocate

    £390 per 3 bottle case in bond | Find out more

    ‘A blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26% Merlot, 9% Cabernet Franc and 5% Petit Verdot, the 2021 is ‘classy and polished right out of the gate’ says Antonio Galloni, impressing with its ‘pliant fruit, silky tannins and fine balance.’

    £430 per 6 bottle case in bond | Find out more

    ‘The 2021 Pichon-Longueville Baron (which, incidentally, has been the legal name since 2021!) is matured in 70% new oak. It opens up nicely in the glass, revealing a straight-down-the-line, floral bouquet of violets intermingled with graphite notes. There is a delicacy about the aromatics that distinguishes it from recent vintages. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins, very pure and “athletic.” No extra fat here; instead, perhaps, slender like the Mouton-Rothschild, which is not a bad thing. Nimble might be a better word. Very fine.’ 93-95 points, Neal Martin

    £660 per 6 bottle case in bond | Find out more

    ‘The 2021 is noted for its aromatic bouquet, fine-grained tannins and impressive tension on the palate – a focused Brane-Cantenac that ‘conveys a great deal of harmony.’ 92-94 points, Neal Martin

    £282 per 6 bottle case in bond | Find out more

    ‘The 2021 Mouton Rothschild is a terrific wine in the making, unfurling in the glass with aromas of cherries and wild berries mingled with notions of violets, espresso roast, pipe tobacco and mint. Medium to full-bodied, deep and seamless, it’s a layered, enveloping wine that’s ample and concentrated, with succulent acids, melting tannins and a long, resonant finish. A blend of 89% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot and 1% Cabernet Franc that attained 13.1% alcohol, this is a demonstrative, sensual Mouton that’s the fruit of extreme selection, and that may well make my score seem conservative with further élevage. Bravo to the talented Jean-Emmanuel Danjoy and his team.’ 95-96 points, William Kelley, Wine Advocate

    £1,275 per 3 bottle case in bond | Find out more

    ‘The 2021 Cos d’Estournel is a wine of real breadth and volume. It is also quite a departure from recent vintages in that strong Cabernet aromatics are very much front and center. Cedar, tobacco, dried herbs, menthol and licorice lend notable complexity to the bouquet. I expect the 2021 will need time to be at its best. Cos is usually much more alluring in its youth than the reticent but hugely promising 2021.’ 94-96 points, Antonio Galloni, Vinous

    £858 per 6 bottle case in bond | Find out more

    ‘Well balanced with surprising depth and structure, this is characterful and beautifully made’ William Kelley, Wine Advocate

    £1,020 per 6 bottle case in bond | Find out more

    ‘The 2021 delivers refreshing notes of raspberries and spiced redcurrants framed by silky tannins. This is a gorgeous second wine and it should age very gracefully indeed.’ William Kelley, Wine Advocate

    £186 per 6 bottle case in bond | Find out more

    ”The 2021 Château Margaux is clearly one of the finest wines of the vintage. Offering up a deep bouquet of raspberries, wild blueberries and plums mingled with sweet spices, violets, licorice and hints of cigar box, it’s full-bodied, layered and multidimensional, with terrific depth at the core and beautifully refined, powdery tannins, concluding with a long, floral finish. Combining the vibrant flavors and moderate alcohol (13.1%) of a vintage of the last century with all the precision of the present in extraction and élevage, it is a timeless classic; and lest that be mistaken for a euphemism for a lack of concentration, note that the wine is analytically as high in polyphenols as the brilliant 2019. Representing only 36% of the estate’s production, the 2021 is a blend of 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot.’ 95-97+ points, William Kelley, Wine Advocate

    £2,250 per 6 bottle case in bond | Find out more

    ”A blend of 65% Cabernet Franc and 35% Merlot, the 2021 Ausone is a strong candidate for the title of wine of the vintage. Wafting from the glass with aromas of wild blueberries and raspberries mingled with rose petals, violets, exotic spices, vine smoke and blood orange, it’s full-bodied, seamless and sensual, with a satiny attack that segues into a deep, layered mid-palate of breathtaking precision and intensity without weight. Built around bright acids and ultra-refined tannins and concluding with a resonant, perfumed finish, this profound young Ausone represents the essence of this great limestone terroir. I am not in the habit of drinking six-month-old Bordeaux cask samples, but this is one wine that would have sorely tempted me to make an exception to that rule if my appointment at the estate hadn’t been one of the first of the day!’ 97-100 points, William Kelley, Wine Advocate

    £1,500 per 3 bottle case in bond | Find out more

    ”Inviting aromas of berries and plums mingled with vine smoke, spices and loamy soil introduce the 2021 Chapelle d’Ausone, a medium to full-bodied, melting and precise wine that’s pretty and seamless, with lively acids and a long, penetrating finish. As usual, it’s a blend of wine from young vines with a few barriques of declassified Ausone.’ 91-93 points, William Kelley, Wine Advocate

    £780 per 6 bottle case in bond | Find out more

    ”This estate is one of the most dynamic in contemporary Bordeaux, so it’s no surprise that the 2021 Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande is a terrific wine—though its a very atypical blend of 88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc and 2% Merlot, cropped at a derisory 15 hectoliters per hectare, hints at what a challenging year this was in the vineyards. Unwinding in the glass with aromas of wild berries, blackcurrants, iris, licorice, black truffles, cigar wrapper and sweet soil tones, it’s medium to full-bodied, layered and textural, with beautifully refined tannins, lively acids and a supple but serious profile. It will see 60% new oak and, in all likelihood, a classical élevage of fully 18 months.’ 94-95 points, William Kelley, Wine Advocate

    £390 per bottle case in bond | Find out more

    ”The 2021 Beychevelle is a strong effort, exhibiting aromas of sweet berries and plums mingled with cigar wrapper and fresh mint. Medium to full-bodied, bright and fine-boned, it’s deep and layered, with powdery tannins, lively acids and a saline finish. This wine only improved over the five times I tasted it.’ 91-94 points, William Kelley, Wine Advocate

    £354 per 6 bottle case in bond | Find out more

    ”The 2021 Haut-Brion has a more extravagant, charming bouquet compared directly with the La Mission at the moment, offering copious blackberry, black truffle, undergrowth and menthol scents. The palate is very well balanced, harmonious and poised, with fine-grained tannins and an almost pixelated finish. This Haut-Brion seems to have reveled in the cooler growing season, and at 13.8% alcohol, there is almost a degree less than recent vintages. Jean-Philippe Delmas has fashioned a contender for wine of the vintage.’ 95-97 points, Neal Martin

    £2,550 per 6 bottle case in bond | Find out more

    ”Unwinding in the glass with aromas of dark berries and plums mingled with loamy soil, sweet spices, cigar box and licorice, the 2021 La Mission Haut-Brion is full-bodied, lively and seamless, with a deep, concentrated core of fruit framed by bright acids and supple, powdery tannins. This charming, sensual rendition of La Mission is a blend of 48% Merlot, 46% Cabernet Sauvignon and 6% Cabernet Franc, attaining 13.4% alcohol.’ 94-96 points, William Kelley, Wine Advocate

    £1,350 per 6 bottle case in bond | Find out more

    ‘Lovely aromatics right off the bat, good spice, white peppers, touches of savoury cassis. This 71% mix of the two Cabernets is the highest ever at Figeac, and you feel it in this savoury, rosebud, leafy character to the palate, brilliantly handled and one of the wines of the vintage. This delivers careful balance, sculpted fruits, with a juicy finish. 100% new oak. Romain Jean-Pierre technical director. 38hl/h yield, harvest September 21 to October 19 (with a three week gap between Merlot and Cabernet). 3.65ph. First vintage with the new cellar. 70% production into Figeac, 8% press wine. Tasted twice, excellent quality.’ 97 points, Jane Anson

    £978 per 6 bottle case in bond | Find out more

    ‘The 2021 Vieux Château Certan is a spectacular tour de force from Alexander and Guillaume Thienpont. What a wine. Vibrant and magnificent in its precision, the 2021 races across the palate, revealing seemingly endless layers of nuance over time. Dark blue/purplish fruit, cinnamon, new leather, graphite, lavender and crushed rocks all build effortlessly. The Cabernets are dialed up in 2021 and that comes through in the wine’s flavor profile and overall feel. The purity of the flavors is just mind-bending. Harvest took place between September 25 and October 4. The blend is 67% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc and 3% Cabernet Sauvignon. Readers who can find the 2021 should not hesitate, as it is truly magical.’ 96-98 points, Antonio Galloni, Vinous

    £1,368 per 6 bottle case in bond | Find out more

    About the Vintage

    Bancroft Wines Fine Wine Buyer, James Snoxell, shares his thoughts on the 2021 vintage.

    We were delighted to spend six days in Bordeaux sampling well over three hundred wines from the classic 2021 vintage.

    2021 was a challenge from the outset. A warm start to the season was followed by an early bud break and frost in April. Rain in May and June caused outbreaks of mildew in July. Sunny weather from mid-August, and warm days and cool night in September, ‘saved’ the vintage. The harvest, which began with the whites in September, lasted until the second half of October.

    As is always the case in trickier vintages, site and position were key factors but the expertise of the properties and their ability to react quickly to changing conditions were just as important in 2021. Properties who took a risk and harvested in October, despite forecasts of heavy rain at the beginning of the month, also performed well. Reds which were carefully managed in the winery, to avoid over extraction, show real finesse.

    We were pleasantly surprised by the quality of the wines. To sum up, Merlot was ‘so-so’ though much better on the Right Bank but the Cabernets, which benefited from the late season to reach optimal maturity, were fabulous. As a result, there is a higher proportion of Cabernet in the blends. At Château Pichon-Longueville Comtesse de Lalande, for example, the 88% Cabernet Sauvignon is the highest the property has ever had. On the Right Bank, Angelus is 60% Cabernet Franc compared to 40% last year.

    Stylistically the reds are less exuberant than recent vintages but show great freshness and balance with lower levels of alcohol than 2018, 2019 or 2020, reminiscent of the classic vintages of the 1990s. In terms of white, thanks to cooler conditions, the grapes preserved their freshness. Vibrant and intense with wonderful aromatics, they show real potential.

    As for yields, although Margaux and Saint-Julien produced a slightly better crop, a result of mildew and drought in 2020, most appellations experienced losses in 2021. Over-all quantities were down by 15%, mainly due to mildew though some vineyards in Saint-Emilion were badly damaged by frost. Sauternes and Barsac also suffered heavily from frost so there is very little available here.

    In summary, 2021 may not have the concentration of the last few years but we were impressed by many wines: elegance, freshness and balance are the hallmarks of this vintage. As William Kelley puts it, 2021 has produced some ‘genuinely great wines, as well as many good to excellent wines that will deliver immense pleasure.’