The Drinks Business (93-95)

Cantenac Brown (Margaux; 73% Cabernet Sauvignon; 27% Merlot; aging in oak barrels, 60% of which are new; tasted at the UGCB press tasting). Very classy and elegant on the nose, with a seductive gentle suggestion of oak influence – vanilla and sweet spice, but all very restrained. Graphite, walnut skin and a delightful hint of the cedar to come. Deep rich berry fruit, with pleasing floral elements (more than I recall in recent vintages) – lily and peony. Pure, precise, fresh and focussed with good if not massive concentration and lovely balance and harmony. Excellent wine-making is on display here with a series of pitch perfect choices that reinforce the identity and terroir typicity of this exciting wine.

The Drinks Business (93-95)

Cantenac Brown (Margaux; 73% Cabernet Sauvignon; 27% Merlot; aging in oak barrels, 60% of which are new; tasted at the UGCB press tasting). Very classy and elegant on the nose, with a seductive gentle suggestion of oak influence – vanilla and sweet spice, but all very restrained. Graphite, walnut skin and a delightful hint of the cedar to come. Deep rich berry fruit, with pleasing floral elements (more than I recall in recent vintages) – lily and peony. Pure, precise, fresh and focussed with good if not massive concentration and lovely balance and harmony. Excellent wine-making is on display here with a series of pitch perfect choices that reinforce the identity and terroir typicity of this exciting wine.

Jancis Robinson (16+)

Very dark crimson. Light nose with some suggestion of ripe fruit. But despite the rich mix of varieties the overall effect is currently a little simple. Well-managed tannins and acidity kept in check. One to watch to see whether it blossoms?

James Suckling (94-95)

Soft and attractive character to this wine, showing a polished-tannin frame and a juicy center-palate. Medium body with medium, velvety tannins. Juicy. 55% cabernet sauvignon, 36% merlot, 5% cabernet franc and 4% petit verdot.

James Suckling (94-95)

Soft and attractive character to this wine, showing a polished-tannin frame and a juicy center-palate. Medium body with medium, velvety tannins. Juicy. 55% cabernet sauvignon, 36% merlot, 5% cabernet franc and 4% petit verdot.

James Suckling (94-95)

Soft and attractive character to this wine, showing a polished-tannin frame and a juicy center-palate. Medium body with medium, velvety tannins. Juicy. 55% cabernet sauvignon, 36% merlot, 5% cabernet franc and 4% petit verdot.

James Suckling (94-95)

Soft and attractive character to this wine, showing a polished-tannin frame and a juicy center-palate. Medium body with medium, velvety tannins. Juicy. 55% cabernet sauvignon, 36% merlot, 5% cabernet franc and 4% petit verdot.

James Suckling (94-95)

Soft and attractive character to this wine, showing a polished-tannin frame and a juicy center-palate. Medium body with medium, velvety tannins. Juicy. 55% cabernet sauvignon, 36% merlot, 5% cabernet franc and 4% petit verdot.

James Suckling (94-95)

Soft and attractive character to this wine, showing a polished-tannin frame and a juicy center-palate. Medium body with medium, velvety tannins. Juicy. 55% cabernet sauvignon, 36% merlot, 5% cabernet franc and 4% petit verdot.

Vinous - Neal Martin (90-92)

The 2021 Certan de May was picked from September 27 to October 11. There is a touch of herbaceousness on the nose here, a leitmotif of recent vintages that has left me perplexed in warmer growing seasons, though it’s more understandable in this vintage. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins and modest depth; no greenness here, but there is a welcome touch of pepper toward the finish. This is an improvement for a Pomerol that can hit the ball out of the park if so inclined.

Jancis Robinson (16+)

Nose suggests, somehow, a creamy texture to follow. Round and flattering with real vitality and fair balance. Just-ripe fruit with good freshness. Vigorous. Relatively fleshy for a 2021. GV?

James Suckling (97-98)

This is so finely textured with very precise, tight tannins. Medium to full body. Lots of layers here with black and blue fruit, stones, tar, dark cocoa and spices. Dried herbs. Long and persistent. Stays focused all the way. So precise. 52% cabernet franc, 43% merlot and 5% cabernet sauvignon.

James Suckling (97-98)

This is so finely textured with very precise, tight tannins. Medium to full body. Lots of layers here with black and blue fruit, stones, tar, dark cocoa and spices. Dried herbs. Long and persistent. Stays focused all the way. So precise. 52% cabernet franc, 43% merlot and 5% cabernet sauvignon.

Vinous - Neal Martin (88-90)

The 2021 Chevalier de Lascombes offers light red cherries and strawberry fruit on the nose. The palate is medium-bodied with rounded tannins and fine acidity. This is quite cohesive with nicely integrated oak. A decent Deuxième Vin.

Vinous - Antonio Galloni (89)

The 2021 Clarendelle Blanc is an attractive, crisp dry white to drink now and over the next few years. Lemon peel, white pepper, mint and sage give this racy, Sauvignon Blanc-based blanc a good deal of nuance. Dollops of Sémillon and Muscadelle round out the blend.

The Clement Pichon 2021 is an exemplification of viticulture expertise, manifested from the distinguished Médoc territory of Bordeaux, France. This splendid vintage maintains its tradition of blending Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot, emanating a wonderful interplay of black fruits and subtle spice.

The Clement Pichon 2021 undergoes fermentation in temperature-controlled stainless steel vats, ushering a perfect harmony of taste and structure. Subsequently, enduring 12 months of oak barrel ageing, the wine develops its quintessential complex character and depth.

Under the watchful eye of the esteemed Pichon family, who pride in their multi-century winemaking heritage, each bottle is meticulously crafted. The vineyards flourish in a marine climate, graced with deep gravel soils.

Graced with bouquet of blackcurrants and plums, layered with notes of sweet spice, the Clement Pichon 2021 encapsulates divine elegance and remarkable persistency. An unforgettable palette experience for the discerning wine lover.

James Suckling (93-94)

Polished and well-structured red with a medium body and firm but creamy and broad tannins. Perfumed already, with sandalwood, blackberry and currant character. Crushed stones. Tea leaves, too. Firm and solid to the end. Very solid for the vintage. 59% cabernet sauvignon, 28% merlot, 10% cabernet franc, 1.5% carmenere and 1.5% petit verdot.

Decanter (95)

An exceptional Clinet in 2021. Richly scented, dark and roguish, a touch of sour cherry and perfume to the nose. Round, supple, generous and vibrant on the palate - this has a lifeforce to it with nuance of red berry flavour and real persistency as well as juicy acidity. I love the upfront nature of this and the really quite vivid and expressive red fruits while the background gives the savoury, menthol, liquorice notes offering depth and wideness - lots of terroir and grape markers in the glass - particularly the high percentage (25%) of Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend. Tannins are firm and supportive with the overall freshness lifting the frame, delivering a full mouthfeel with a density of tannins and black fruit that doesn't dip. Well worked and presented. A touch of wood on the finish but subtle and supportive. You also get the florality all the way through which is just so appealing. Supremely well worked, charming but also confident - I absolutely love it and it clearly stood out every time tasting it - four times in total. 45,000 bottles made, same production as 2020.

Vinous - Antonio Galloni (92-94)

The 2021 Clos de l'Oratoire is terrific. It offers a striking mix of dark blue/purplish fruit, chocolate, lavender, spice, menthol and crushed rocks. Dynamic and vibrant in the glass, impresses for its finely cut, somewhat nervous personality. The 2021 represents a pretty big stylistic shift. Some of that is the vintage and some is an evolution in style. The combined effects of those two factors make for a compelling Clos de L'Oratoire.

Vinous - Antonio Galloni (94-96)

The 2021 Clos Fourtet is very clearly one of the wines of the vintage on the Right Bank. Towering in its stature, the 2021 is a regal wine endowed with tremendous energy and vibrancy. This classically austere Saint-Émilion oozes class from the very first taste. Blue/purplish fruit, spice, lavender and menthol are some of the aromas and flavors that build into the resonant, deeply pitched finish. What a wine.

Vinous - Antonio Galloni (92-94)

The 2021 Clos Saint-Martin is a heady, exuberant wine, even in this challenging vintage. Clos Saint-Martin stands out for its mid-palate sweetness and generosity. Ripe red plum, blood orange, spice and rose petal give the 2021 an exotic flair that is hard to miss. This is a fine effort for the year. Terrific.

The Confidences de Prieure Lichine 2021 is a sophisticated blend from the world-renowned Bordeaux region of France. This exquisite wine is gracefully composed of premium Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot grapes, offering an unparalleled drinking experience. The producer, Château Prieuré-Lichine, a respected fourth growth Margaux, remains committed to traditional winemaking methods. Each stage, from meticulous vineyard management to slow barrel ageing, is artfully handled to author a dynamic, full-bodied wine.

Confidences de Prieure Lichine 2021 showcases a harmonious meld of dark fruit and spice character, encapsulating the classic elegance of the Margaux appellation. Its multi-layered palate underlines seductive notes of ripe berries, integrated with velvety tannins and a lingering finish. The nuanced, luxuriant vintage does justice to its storied lineage, affirming its place amongst the elite Bordeaux wines. An indulgence for any fine wine connoisseur, Confidences de Prieure Lichine 2021 invites you to experience the quintessence of refined French winemaking.

Vinous - Antonio Galloni (87-89)

The 2021 Connetable Talbot is a very pretty second wine. Dried herbs, tobacco, mint, spice and leather give the Connetable its strong, savory personality. There is a bit of reduction, but good depth as well as potential.

James Suckling (91-92)

A fresh and fruity red with blackberry and wet-earth character. Medium body, fine tannins and a creamy finish. Subtle sample.

Jane Anson Inside Bordeaux (96)

This vintage, which can be overly straight and austere, benefits from the house style of Cos, where they are happy to add a twist of gourmet glamour, and I am seriously impressed with this wine. It showcases the successful sides of a cool vintage in spades, with bitter black chocolate, cool blue fruits, lemongrass and turmeric and black pepper spices. 55% new oak. 3.79ph. 53% of overall production is for the 1st wine, the rest in Pagodes. Easily one of the wines of the vintage.

James Suckling (97-98)

This is layered and serious, with intense yet subtle notes of dried pineapple, lemon, crushed stones and shells. Salty. Long and driven with vivacity and energy. So minerally, in every sense. Grabs hold of you. 71% sauvignon blanc and 29% semillon.

Jancis Robinson (16+)

Deep crimson. Nose is both fresh and ripe. Not the most opulent wine; it finishes a little dry. Really quite drying in fact. There’s no shortage of ripe fruit here and the minerality of St-Estèphe imposes itself. Another wine that does not taste as though it came from an unripe vintage but you need to love St-Estèphe to love this wine. The finish is distinctly inky and hard work.

James Suckling (95-96)

So much cool blue fruit and flowers here with minerals and subtle clove notes. Black licorice and black pepper, too. Medium body with very fine yet firm tannins. Focused and linear. Vibrant. The energy keeps going. 87% merlot, 8% cabernet sauvignon and 5% cabernet franc. From biodynamically grown grapes.

Decanter (93)

Succulent and softly supple, this has lots of energy and pace with bright red fruits, raspberries and cherries, alongside sweet spices and perfumed nuances. The acidity is so well judged it lifts the palate and delivers the individual elements with precision and poise, so you get a playful, friendly and upfront wine offering so much pleasure. I love the clarity here too, the sheer chalky and saline texture on the tongue; it feels clean and clear with a pristine quality. This will be a fabulous wine! 2% Petit Verdot completes the blend. 3.72pH. The first vintage to be vinified in the new winery which was completed just in time for the harvest.

The Wine Cellar Insider (98)

The complex aromatic profile explodes from the glass with pineapple, papaya, apricot, Meyer lemon, tangerine peels, caramel, honey, vanilla, saffron, cashews, and candied grapefruit in the aromatic profile. The palate resides perfectly in the middle of hedonism, and vibrancy. Clearly, there is ample sweetness, but the racy acidity provides incredible lift, energy, and length. The fruit expresses purity in its tangerines, oranges, mango, papaya, banana, and pineapples all slathered in honey. This is one of those Yquem's that can be enjoyed either as a sweet wine, or due to its vibrancy, with a diverse array of savory, and spicy dishes. Produced from a blend of 65% Semillon and 35% Sauvignon Blanc, 148 Grams per liter, 14% ABV, 3.79 pH. Yields were only 8 hectoliters per hectare. The harvest took place over an extended time, September 12 - October 27, with 4 passes in total. As you can see, the harvest was quite long, but picking the heart of vintage took place mid-to late October. Drink from 2027-2075.