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.

James Suckling (92-93)

A fine and silky St.-Estephe with medium body and supple, fine tannins. Fresh. Pretty blue and purple fruit with stone and some ash notes. Refined and elegant. 53% merlot, 38% cabernet sauvignon, 6% petit verdot and 3% cabernet franc.

James Suckling (92-93)

A fine and silky St.-Estephe with medium body and supple, fine tannins. Fresh. Pretty blue and purple fruit with stone and some ash notes. Refined and elegant. 53% merlot, 38% cabernet sauvignon, 6% petit verdot and 3% cabernet franc.

James Suckling (92-93)

A fine and silky St.-Estephe with medium body and supple, fine tannins. Fresh. Pretty blue and purple fruit with stone and some ash notes. Refined and elegant. 53% merlot, 38% cabernet sauvignon, 6% petit verdot and 3% cabernet franc.

Vinous - Antonio Galloni (91-93)

The 2021 Dassault is very, very good. Dark and ample, the 2021 possesses terrific depth and fine balance at this stage. Inky dark fruit, chocolate, licorice, mint, spice, tobacco and mocha are nicely pushed forward. This succulent yet mid-weight Saint-Émilion has a ton to offer.

Wine Advocate (95+)

The 2021 Blanc is turning out beautifully, evoking aromas of mint, spices, peach, lemon oil and spring flowers. Medium to full-bodied and perfectly balanced, it’s tense and fleshy, crystalline and seamless, with a fresh, saline and pure finish. It feels reassuringly persistent and could age well over the next two decades. This outstanding wine is crafted from 60% Sauvignon Blanc and 40% Sémillon.

Vinous - Neal Martin (84-86)

The 2021 Château de Sales has a light, tertiary bouquet that needs more fruit concentration. The palate is balanced but light, with just a touch of herbaceousness. An early-drinking Pomerol.

Jancis Robinson (16)

Open and appealing aromatically. Red-fruit and toasted notes. Juicy and sweet but appetising as well. Slight burgundian nuance. Lighter framed but the fruit is there.

James Suckling (95-96)

A medium-bodied DC with a pretty core of ripe fruit that shows licorice, blackberry and some currant character. Spice box, too. Very long, with fine tannins and plenty of energy.

James Suckling (98-99)

This is always an impressive white, with a lengthy, layered and compact palate. Lots of dried lemon, clove, fennel, green-apple and cedar. Flint and toast, too. Medium to full body. Very long. 70% sauvignon blanc and 30% semillon.

James Suckling (98-99)

This is always an impressive white, with a lengthy, layered and compact palate. Lots of dried lemon, clove, fennel, green-apple and cedar. Flint and toast, too. Medium to full body. Very long. 70% sauvignon blanc and 30% semillon.

James Suckling (91-92)

Medium-bodied, round and nicely spiced with powdery tannins. Juicy ripe-cherry notes with some sweet spice. Pretty. Firm tannins in the center-palate. 82.7% merlot, 14.5% cabernet franc and 2.8% malbec.

James Suckling (92-93)

A juicy and soft textured, medium-bodied red with cherry, earth and orange-peel character. Creamy and delicious. 64% cabernet sauvignon, 20% cabernet franc, 10% merlot and 6% petit verdot.

James Suckling (92-93)

A juicy and soft textured, medium-bodied red with cherry, earth and orange-peel character. Creamy and delicious. 64% cabernet sauvignon, 20% cabernet franc, 10% merlot and 6% petit verdot.

It contains one bottle 1x75cl of each:

 

Château d'Yquem

Château Haut-Brion

Château La Mission Haut-Brion

Château Mouton Rothschild

Château Lafite Rothschild

Château Margaux

Château Ausone

Château Cheval Blanc

Petrus

Vinous - Antonio Galloni (96-98)

The 2021 Ducru-Beaucaillou is a pretty significant departure from the past, as it is nearly pure Cabernet Sauvignon. A deep, aristocratic wine, the 2021 possesses remarkable intensity from start to finish. Inky dark fruit, bittersweet chocolate and leather are some of the myriad nuances that develop with some aeration. The 2021 is so well balanced. The 100% new oak, often quite dominant in Ducru en primeur, is so well integrated, likely because lower alcohol extracted less oak imprint. The 2021 is a drop dead gorgeous wine, and a Ducru for the ages. Superb.

Vinous - Antonio Galloni (96-98)

The 2021 Ducru-Beaucaillou is a pretty significant departure from the past, as it is nearly pure Cabernet Sauvignon. A deep, aristocratic wine, the 2021 possesses remarkable intensity from start to finish. Inky dark fruit, bittersweet chocolate and leather are some of the myriad nuances that develop with some aeration. The 2021 is so well balanced. The 100% new oak, often quite dominant in Ducru en primeur, is so well integrated, likely because lower alcohol extracted less oak imprint. The 2021 is a drop dead gorgeous wine, and a Ducru for the ages. Superb.

James Suckling (94-95)

This is a really pretty Duhart and fans out nicely on the palate with medium soft tannins that are polished. Gorgeous young wine. 81% cabernet sauvignon and 19% merlot.

James Suckling (94-95)

This is a really pretty Duhart and fans out nicely on the palate with medium soft tannins that are polished. Gorgeous young wine. 81% cabernet sauvignon and 19% merlot.

James Suckling (94-95)

This is a really pretty Duhart and fans out nicely on the palate with medium soft tannins that are polished. Gorgeous young wine. 81% cabernet sauvignon and 19% merlot.

James Suckling (93-94)

Lots of Lynch character to this wine, with a full body and blackcurrant, dark-chocolate, tar and lean-pencil character. Full and flavorful. Solid center-palate. Second wine. Nicely put together. 56% merlot and 44% cabernet sauvignon.

James Suckling (94-95)

A solid young wine with plums, dark cherries and a hint of coffee. Medium to full body with a beautiful finish. Tannic and solid.

Jane Anson Inside Bordeaux (97)

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.

Decanter (94)

Intensely perfumed on the nose, so expressive and aromatic with dark chocolate and blackcurrant liqueur aspects. Juicy, fresh, playful, lifted and upfront - this has a lot going on. It's lightly framed with a lifted nature on the palate, the flavours all vertical and expansive but not heavy. It's a delicate style in terms of structure but the flavours are persistent and really fill the mouth with a brightness as well as minty, chocolate, liquorice fresh tannins. I love this one - a real success of the vintage. Usually 70-75% Merlot, so this is a new Fleur Cardinale, the' kind of blend we'd like to have in the future' says Ludovic and Caroline Decoster, with increased plantings of Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon taking place at the estate. Consultants Jean Philippe Fort - Michel Rolland Laboratoire. First year of conversion to organic, 2021 saw a loss of 50% production - 20% to frost and 30% to mildew. A fine effort.

James Suckling (92-93)

Perfumed and fresh with flowers, such as lavender and violets. Medium-bodied with fine tannins that are layered and refined in texture.

Step into the prestigious terroir of Pauillac, Bordeaux, with the sumptuous Fonbadet 2021. This opulent wine epitomises the stellar reputation of its eminent vineyard, Château Fonbadet. Embracing sustainable viticulture methods, the vineyard grows its grapes on a terroir of gravelly soil, ensuring the optimal development of the fruit. The painstaking vinification sees the traditional use of concrete vats, preserving the distinctive characteristics of each blend.

The Fonbadet 2021 boasts a deep plum hue, the hallmark of a genuine Bordeaux, introducing an intricate bouquet of ripe berries, hints of cocoa and subtle spicy undertones. This medium-bodied wine offers a superb velvety texture on the palate, accentuated by a measured acidity and refined tannins. On the finish, you'll uncover a delightful hint of minerality.

From the robust Cabernet Sauvignon to the plummy Merlot, the Fonbadet 2021 encapsulates the quintessential Bordeaux experience, marrying complexity with finesse and longevity.

Vinous - Antonio Galloni (93-95)

The 2021 Fonplégade is classy and refined to the core. It possesses terrific depth, with sweet floral aromatics and fine-grained tannins that convey finesse. Red/purplish fruit, lavender, spice and bright saline notes all meld together. Fonplégade is built more on vertical persistence than volume. It is one of the most elegant Saint-Émilions of the vintage and a terrific effort from proprietors Denise and Stephen Adams. Tasted three times.

Vinous - Antonio Galloni (90-92)

The 2021 G 'Estournel is racy and expressive in the glass. Pretty floral and savory accents run through a core of dark Merlot fruit. This mid-weight, gracious Haut-Médoc is all charm. The 2021 is impeccably balanced from start to finish. Delicious.

James Suckling (92-93)

Firm, grainy tannins accompany the core of black fruit and bark. Medium-bodied. Stone character. Mineral, with tangy acidity.

Vinous - Antonio Galloni (94-96)

The 2021 Giscours is fabulous. In fact, the 2021 is one of the best Giscours in recent memory. Silky and impeccable in its balance, the 2012 possesses magnificent elegance that brings out its pedigreed personality. Rose petal, lavender, spice, gravel and black cherry all come together, framed by silky tannins that wrap it all up. The 2021 is less aromatic than most recent vintages, but the depth here is considerable, as is the potential. Taste two times.