Vinous (98)

Rich and explosive in feel, the 2021 Cheval Blanc is outrageously beautiful. For the first time since 2011, the Grand Vin is more than 50% Cabernet Franc. Black cherry, plum, chocolate, dried herbs, menthol, licorice and mocha are all amplified in this potent, luxurious Cheval Blanc. Polished, seamless tannins wrap it all together. This is one of my favorites of the vintage.

Vinous (98)

Rich and explosive in feel, the 2021 Cheval Blanc is outrageously beautiful. For the first time since 2011, the Grand Vin is more than 50% Cabernet Franc. Black cherry, plum, chocolate, dried herbs, menthol, licorice and mocha are all amplified in this potent, luxurious Cheval Blanc. Polished, seamless tannins wrap it all together. This is one of my favorites of the vintage.

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.

James Suckling (91-92)

A medium-bodied, creamy red with pretty walnut and blackcurrant notes. Nicely balanced with a supple finish.

James Suckling (91-92)

A medium-bodied, creamy red with pretty walnut and blackcurrant notes. Nicely balanced with a supple finish.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

James Suckling (93-94)

This is very inky with lots of tar and iodine. Blackcurrants, too. Full-bodied. Very muscular for the vintage. Needs time to soften.

James Suckling (93-94)

This is very inky with lots of tar and iodine. Blackcurrants, too. Full-bodied. Very muscular for the vintage. Needs time to soften.

Vinous - Neal Martin (91-93)

The 2021 Clos Floridene has a perfumed, incense-tinged bouquet of light tobacco and undergrowth aromas and decent fruit. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins, pretty red fruit and a beautifully balanced, cohesive finish. This is how to do 2021 without having to push too hard.