Jane Anson Inside Bordeaux (96)

Beautiful intensity and grip through the palate, this shows white pear, juicy citrus, and slate-filled salinity on the finish. Great stuff, with teasingly drawn out flavours, lift and tension, and hidden depths. Some frost meant the yields were lower than normal at 32hl/h. 15% malolactic fermentation to soften the acidities, with Sauvignon Gris vines included within the Sauvignon Blanc count, and no Muscadelle in the blend as the vines have now been uprooted, giving a slight break in style (for the better in my opinion). 3.25ph, 45% new barrels for ageing. First year with Jean-Emmanuel Danjoy as director from beginning to end of the growing season, after Philippe Dhaulluin's retirement.

James Suckling (94-95)

Savory black and salted-olive character with oyster shells and black licorice. Fine, almost powdery yet firm tannins. Medium body. Excellent density and structure for the vintage. Second wine of Palmer. 60% cabernet sauvignon, 32% merlot and 8% petit verdot. From biodynamically grown grapes.

James Suckling (95-96)

Beautiful depth here, with currants and blackberries, as well as hints of fresh herbs and wet earth. Medium-to full-bodied, layered and long, with depth and beauty. Savory. Impressive for the vintage. Persistent.

James Suckling (95-96)

Beautiful depth here, with currants and blackberries, as well as hints of fresh herbs and wet earth. Medium-to full-bodied, layered and long, with depth and beauty. Savory. Impressive for the vintage. Persistent.

Jancis Robinson (16)

Less obviously seductive but rich and sweet with chalky, dry tannins. Plenty of matière. Follows the house style.

Wine Advocate (97-100)

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!

Wine Advocate (97-100)

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!

Indulge in the rich experience offered by Baret Blanc 2021, a magnificent testament to the art of winemaking. Crafted delicately in the renowned vineyards of Bordeaux, France, this fine wine oozes exceptional character and timeless sophistication. The producer, highly esteemed as one of the oldest in Pessac-Leognan, is celebrated for maintaining traditional winemaking practices, conferring a poignant sense of history with each bottle.

The Baret Blanc 2021 is a veritable symphony of flavours, attributed to the seamless blend of exceptional grape varietals – adopting Sauvignon Blanc for its refreshing crispness and Semillon for a fuller body. This 2021 Blanc carries a transcendent balance of acidity and ripe fruit notes, leading to an alluringly complex, enduring finish.

Stored in French oak barrels, the fruit aromas marry harmoniously with subtle hints of vanilla and spice, offering a multi-dimensional drinking experience. The meticulous precision and unparalleled passion for preserving quality truly shines in Baret Blanc 2021.

James Suckling (93-94)

Subtle aromas of currants and fresh flowers with some tar and graphite. Medium-bodied with firm tannins and bright acidity. Very typical and bright for Pauillac. Linear and fine. Solid and tight. Well age nicely.

James Suckling (93-94)

Subtle aromas of currants and fresh flowers with some tar and graphite. Medium-bodied with firm tannins and bright acidity. Very typical and bright for Pauillac. Linear and fine. Solid and tight. Well age nicely.

Vinous - Antonio Galloni (95-97)

The 2021 Beau-Séjour-Bécot is one of the most elegant wines I have ever tasted here. Pliant and deep, with striking depth, the 2021 is outrageously beautiful. All the elements come together so effortlessly. Dark fruit, mocha, spice, licorice and incense all build in the glass. The creamy tannins are impossibly refined for the year, while the finish is eternal. The 2021 is a real stunner. Readers won't want to miss it!

James Suckling (95-96)

An intense, full-bodied red with lots of fruit and dark chocolate. Round and juicy tannins. Flavorful finish. Very rich. Salt and minerals. Pure merlot.

James Suckling (93-94)

Rather firm and muscular tannins frame the wine. Medium-to full-bodied with a column of fruit and density. Shows potential. Earth and spice at the end.

James Suckling (93-94)

Rather firm and muscular tannins frame the wine. Medium-to full-bodied with a column of fruit and density. Shows potential. Earth and spice at the end.

The Drinks Business (94-96)

Beychevelle (St Julien; 57% Cabernet Sauvignon; 38% Merlot; 3% Petit Verdot; 2% Cabernet Franc; 13% alcohol; tasted at the UGCB press tasting and at Lagrange with consistent notes). Dark, glossy and viscous in the glass, with a radiant lilac/pink rim and with good extraction (which, with Beychevelle, you know already is going to be well managed). Chocolate fondant; deep dark bramble compote; graphite and cedar (all very Beychevelle); plump ripe raspberries and freshly hulled wild strawberries; toasted brioche with melted butter. Lovely, with a beautiful vertical lift from the redcurrant and blackcurrant leafiness. Texturally sublime and a little more precise even than usual. Tight, compact, dense and charged with energy and life. Sapid and juicy. Fabulously successful in a challenging vintage

Vinous - Antonio Galloni (91)

Just bottled, the 2021 'Aiguilhe Blanc is rich, deep and super-expressive. Orchard fruit, dried flowers, sage and mint give the 2021 its strong savory character, while the fruit is in the background. Plush, minimal new oak yields a somewhat stark, yet compelling, dry white.

Vinous - Neal Martin (86-88)

The 2021 Blason d’Issan has a perfumed blackberry, wild strawberry and iris petal bouquet that unfolds slowly in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with firm tannins, good structure and a brisk, lightly spiced finish.

Vinous - Antonio Galloni (89-91)

The 2021 Blason de L'Évangile is marked by bold, racy fruit and terrific energy. Crushed red berry fruit and lively floral notes abound in a classy, refined Blason. All the elements are impeccably balanced. Pretty floral accents grace the lifted, perfumed finish. The 2021 is a gorgeous Blason.

Vinous - Antonio Galloni (89-91)

The 2021 Blason de L'Évangile is marked by bold, racy fruit and terrific energy. Crushed red berry fruit and lively floral notes abound in a classy, refined Blason. All the elements are impeccably balanced. Pretty floral accents grace the lifted, perfumed finish. The 2021 is a gorgeous Blason.

James Suckling (92-93)

Very fine tannins with plum, currant and berry character. Medium body. Integrated and polished texture. Fine finish.

James Suckling (94-95)

A very pretty wine, showing blackberry and blackcurrant aromas with crushed stone. Medium to full body with layers of fine-grained tannins. Bright and refined. Lots of dark fruit at the end. Solid weight.

Vinous - Neal Martin (91-93)

The 2021 Branas Grand Poujeaux was picked from September 29 to October 13 at 38hL/ha and includes some whole-cluster addition; it was matured in 50% new oak. The well-defined bouquet features blackberry, raspberry, white pepper and a hint of undergrowth. The palate is medium-bodied with a spicy entry and gentle grip, the whole bunch working well here, and quite saline on the finish. Excellent.

James Suckling (94-95)

A medium-bodied, very polished Brane-Cantenac with firm yet fine and textured tannins. Deep and compact core of black fruit, herbs and spices. Pretty licorice and clove notes. Structured and long. 74% cabernet sauvignon, 22% merlot, 2% cabernet franc, 1% petit verdot and 1% carmenere.

Vinous - Antonio Galloni (88-90)

The 2021 Brown offers good depth and textural intensity. The aromatics in this barrel sample aren't perfect, but there is plenty of fruit and structure to make me think the 2021 will turn out well.

Vinous - Neal Martin (95-97)

The 2021 Calon Ségur was cropped at 36hL/ha and aged entirely in new oak for a planned 20 months. This year, the gap between the Grand Vin and the Marquis is blatantly obvious, to the extent that they are practically different wines, which is how Vincent Millet and his team treat them. The Cabernet is firmly in the driving seat here, with detailed, graphite-infused black fruit and a background florality that comes through with aeration. The medium-bodied palate displays very fine tannins, superb acidity (pH 3.65) and impressive harmony. This has exemplary build in the mouth, fine weight on the finish and a persistent aftertaste. An outstanding Calon-Ségur, elevated by the risks taken in de-leafing in June and waiting to pick. Bravo. 12.9% alcohol

James Suckling (96-97)

A wine full of finesse and class with fantastic length and polish. Medium to full body with ultra-fine tannins that run endlessly down the length of the wine. Blackberry, graphite and spice. Agile and weightless.

James Suckling (96-97)

A wine full of finesse and class with fantastic length and polish. Medium to full body with ultra-fine tannins that run endlessly down the length of the wine. Blackberry, graphite and spice. Agile and weightless.

Vinous - Antonio Galloni (94-96)

The 2021 Canon La Gaffelière is striking. Aromatic and expressive, with no hard edges, the 2021 impresses with its balance and overall harmony. All the elements are so nicely integrated. Crushed red berry fruit, white flowers, mint, rose petal and orange zest all race through this super-appealing, mid-weight Saint-Émilion. The 2021 is so well put together. It's is such a sensual wine.

Decanter (91)

Allspice, cedar, juniper and blackcurrants - a heady, appealing perfume. Lightly framed with gentle but mouthwatering and succulent red berry fruits mingling with firm tannins that coat the mouth in a fine layer of chalky, fruity saltiness. Attractive balance, if a little light on the mid-palate at this point, but this has a long finish and a motion of flavour from beginning to end. It feels well worked with concentration and direction. Structured and confident.