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In my third article on Bordeaux’s Primers 2021, I publish my appreciation and impression on this vintage in Médoc. Each year, during the Primeurs week Crus Bourgeois of Médoc (in this article I explain different classifications of Bordeaux wines) organise a tasting of their wines, which gives an occasion not only to have overview and the overall success of wines in Médoc of last vintage, but also to understand the specific character of each sub-region of Médoc.
Impressive Château d’Agassac
Tasting room with hundreds of wines
First visitors
Ready to taste numerous wines
What was the vintage 2021 like in the Médoc?
Globally, the 2021 vintage was better for Médoc than the Right Bank as a whole, for several reasons:
- The Landes forest, the proximity of the ocean and of the estuary protected the Médoc vineyards from spring frosts, as these are all factors that regulate the temperature
- Cabernet Sauvignon, the main grape variety of the Left Bank, took advantage of the absence of spring frost and the Indian summer in October, because it ripens more slowly than Merlot (which accounts for most of the plantings on the Right Bank and which was harvested before the warm late autumn). Therefore, Cabernet Sauvignon received more favourable conditions for technical and phenolic maturity, which was reflected in the organoleptic profile of the wines.
- Rainy end of September ensured a sufficient harvest volume and an optimum ration of juice and hard part of the berries (skin and pipes), which had also reached optimum maturity.
The same can be said about another late ripening variety that is increasingly used by winemakers – Petit Verdot.
Thus, the proportion of Cabernet Sauvignon (sometimes 70-80%) and Petit Verdot (up to 20%) is often high in wines of 2021 in Médoc, while the percentage of Merlot in the assemblage was lower than usual – even in the northern part of the appellation, where the clay soils are more favourable for Merlot.
How are the characteristics of the vintage 2021 reflected in the wines?
As the 2021 vintage was more favourable to late ripening Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot, they account for a large percentage in assemblages in the Left Bank’s wines. This is quite classic for the Médoc region (but it is more unusual for the other two appellations of the Left Bank – Pessac-Leognan and Graves), which explains the greater success of the 2021 vintage for the Left Bank than for the Right Bank.
Wines where the most of assemblage was composed by Cabernet Sauvignon, which had reached optimum phenolic maturity, clearly showed the variety’s typical aromas – ripe but not sugared fresh black berries (blackcurrant, black cherry). These wines have enough concentration to age in new barrels, which is reflected in the harmonious oak nuances (vanilla, caramel, liquorice). In some wines, the barrel tones have a more “oaked” character (toasty, smoky aromas, burnt wood) but do not dominated the main fruity bouquet. Together with a rich bouquet and a fairly long aftertaste, the wines do not appear spirity, thanks to the moderate level of alcohol, a characteristic of Cabernet Sauvignon (because it accumulates sugar more slowly and less than Merlot) and a cooler summer with less sunshine than average in recent years.
In some wines, Cabernet Sauvignon has been supplemented with Petit Verdot, sometimes by 10-20%, which is considered as an important proportion. This late variety has matured just as well as Cabernet Sauvignon and has diversified the fruit bouquet with spice and floral notes.
As for cuvées with Merlot, despite a well-balanced organoleptic profile and a relatively light style, the wines exhibited less maturity – aromatics were more restrained and consisted mainly of sour red berries (red cherry, raspberry, lingonberry, cranberry), while acidity was slightly higher. Concentration and length of aftertaste were also mostly inferior to assemblages, dominated be Cabernet, and the tannins were slightly coarser and drier.
Below I give my tasting notes of the 2021 Châteaux that are part of the Crus Bourgeois Medocca classification (read more about the Bordeaux wine classifications here).
Crus Bourgeois Exceptionnels
Château d’Agassac (Haut- Médoc)
Soils: Gravelly, sandy, gravelly-sandy.
Assemblage: 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31.5% Merlot, 3.5% Cabernet Franc
Ageing: 12-15 months in new low-roast casks (60%) and in neutral vats (40%)
Tasting: ripe bouquet with typical Cabernet Sauvignon aromas (blackcurrant, black cherry and black plum), rounded body with fairly soft integrated tannins. The oak tones (liquorice, coffee, toast) are quite pronounced, but blend harmoniously into the full-bodied fruit bouquet.
Château Arnauld (Haut- Médoc)
Soils: 100% Quaternary gravel, poor in organic matter, but well-drained, with clay subSoils.
Assemblage: 57% Merlot, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Petit Verdot.
Ageing: 18 months in new barrels (80%).
Tasting: intense aromatics and bouquet of flavours (red and black berries), good concentration, but the woody nuances, unlike other Crus Bourgeois Exceptionnels, are more pronounced and less integrated.
Château Cambon la Pelouse (Haut- Médoc)
Soils: Gravelly-sandy.
Assemblage: 73% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 7% Petit Verdot.
Ageing: 12 months in new barrels (35% of the wine) and one year barrels (55%) and in neutral vats (10%)
Tasting: a soft, supple wine with a balanced and complex bouquet (ripe black cherry and plum, sweet spices), a long finish
Château Charmail (Haut- Médoc)
Soils: Clayey gravel.
Assemblage: 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 20% Petit Verdot, 10% Cabernet Franc
Ageing: 12 months in 225-litre and 500-litre casks (33% new) and in concrete ovoid vats
Tasting: open attack, more restrained in the middle of the palate, with pronounced acidity and a strong tannin structure. The bouquet combines ripe black berries (cherry, plum), spices and light herbal nuances.
Château Malescasse (Haut- Médoc)
Soils: White gravel and sand.
Assemblage: 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot
Ageing: 12 months in oak casks – 1/3 new, 1/3 one year and 1/3 two year
Tasting: the aroma is delicate (black and red berries, spicy and floral touches). The taste is more pronounced and elegant, with bright cherry and plum notes and a long, evolving finish, with hints of spice and coffee.
Château de Malleret (Haut- Médoc)
Soils: Quaternary gravel
Assemblage: 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot.
Ageing: 12 months in oak barrels (1/3 new).
Tasting: an elegant and fresh wine with hints of sour berries (blackcurrant, black cherry), spices and delicate minerality.
Château du Taillan (Haut- Médoc)
Soils: Clay-lime.
Assemblage: 65% Merlot, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon.
Ageing: 15 months in oak casks (30% new)
Tasting: on the whole a closed wine – delicate aromas with perceptible woody undertones. Taste also seems closed compared to other Crus Bourgeois exceptionnels
Château d’Arsac (Margaux)
Soils: Deep gravel with marl and lime deposits
Assemblage: 72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Merlot.
Ageing: 100% in oak barrels
Tasting: powerful and full-bodied, yet harmonious and elegant, with a rich bouquet of red and black berries and hints of herbs.
Château Paveil de Luze (Margaux)
Soils: Deep gravel
Assemblage: 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 290% Merlot.
Ageing: 12 months in oak casks, of which 30% are new
Tasting: Reflection of ripe Cabernet Sauvignon with hints of blackcurrant and blackcurrant jam, black plum, cherry and blackberry, complemented by integrated oak nuances (liquorice). Powerful tannins, full body, high acidity and a slight bitterness in the finish.
Château le Crock (Saint-Estèphe)
Soils: alluvial gravel from Garonne river on the surface, gravelly and clayey subsoil.
Assemblage: 58% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc, 7% Petit Verdot.
Ageing: 12 months in oak casks (30% new) on a fine lees
Tasting: delicate oak notes (spices, vanilla, a slight coffee aroma). The attack and bouquet are juicy and soft, fruity, but the aftertaste is still a bit dry. Excellent aging potential, the dry tannins may well soften over time.
Château Lilian Ladouys (Saint-Estèphe)
Soils: Clay gravel on calcareous sediments in the subsoil.
Assemblage: 53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot, 6% Petit Verdot, 1% Cabernet Franc
Ageing: 70% in one year old barrels (20% of which are 400 litres), 30% in new barrels
Tasting: the attack and aroma are relatively restrained, but the taste is pleasant and open, fruity, with integrated tannins.
Tasting of Crus Bourgeois Supérieurs
Château la Branne (Médoc)
Soils: clay-limestone, sandy-gravel, clayey
Assemblage:: not defined yet
Ageing: in oak casks: 30% new, 40% one year, 30% two years
Tasting: spicy aromatics (vanilla, spices), with a ripe fruit bouquet. It has an open, pleasant taste with a slight bitterness in the finish.
Château la Cardonne (Médoc)
Soils: 54% gravel, 46% clay and limestone.
Assemblage: 52% Cabernet Sauvignon, 43% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot.
Ageing: 40% new barrels, 59% one year old barrels, 1% in amphorae
Tasting: the nose shows concentration, ripe black berries and minerality (thanks to the amphora aging). The finish is long, but the tannins are still a little grippy. Excellent aging potential
Château Castera (Médoc)
Soils: clay-lime and gravel from the Pyrenees.
Assemblage: Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot (proportions not yet defined).
Ageing: 12 months in barrels, a third of which are new
Tasting: expressive, rounded, with integrated and pleasing tannins and a ripe, fruity bouquet
Château Fleur La Mothe (Médoc)
Soils: Clay-lime and gravel.
Assemblage: 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, 20% Petit Verdot.
Ageing: 12 months in barrels, 1/3 of which are new and most with a capacity of 500 litres
Tasting: at the beginning the aromas are not very pronounced, with ripe notes of red berries, grape skins and plums, flowers (violet, peony). Firm tannins with a fine grain structure – excellent aging potential.
Château Laujac (Médoc)
Soils: Gravel and limestone.
Assemblage: 50% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Petit Verdot
Ageing: 25% new casks
Tasting: Closed bouquet with a stronger astringency than in the previous wines, with a hint of red sour berries (cranberry, cherry).
Château Lousteauneuf (Médoc)
Soils: Gravel on deep clay
Assemblage: 70% Cabernet Sauvignon 15% Merlot, 15% Petit Verdot
Ageing: 68% in oak casks, 17% in large oak vats, 17% in amphorae
Tasting: The palate reveals a ripe, concentrated bouquet; the attack is bright and open, with touches of blackcurrant and black cherry, but the aftertaste is tart.
Château Pierre de Montignac (Médoc)
Soils: Clay-lime.
Assemblage: 50% Merlot, 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Petit Verdot.
Ageing: in oak casks, barrels and concrete vats
Tasting: with a simple fruity bouquet, soft attack, dry aftertaste
Château Preuillac (Médoc)
Soils: Clay-lime.
Assemblage: 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc
Ageing: in oak casks, 30% of which are new
Tasting: round fruit attack, but the middle of the palate is dry. The bouquet is mainly soar red berries (red cherries, raspberries) and flowers.
Château Saint Hilaire (Médoc)
Soils: Clay, lime and deep gravel
Assemblage: 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Merlot.
Ageing: in oak casks, 30% of which are new
Tasting: ripe bouquet, soft taste with integrated tannins. The bouquet consists of juicy black and red berries (black and red cherries, blackcurrant) and delicate oak notes in the form of spices.
Château Balac (Haut-Médoc)
Soils: Clay-lime, gravel and loam.
Assemblage: 50% Merlot, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc, 5% Petit Verdot.
Ageing: in oak casks, 30% of which are new
Tasting: great concentration and depth, the bouquet of fruit is quite ripe, despite the large proportion of Merlot in the blend, the tannins are well defined, the finish is a little drying.
Château Beaumont (Haut-Médoc)
Soils: Gravelly and sandy.
Assemblage: 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot.
Ageing: 12-14 months in oak barrels
Tasting: elegant Medoc with a bouquet of sour red berries (cherry, cranberry) delicate woody notes and a medium body with high acidity.
Château Bel Air Gloria (Haut-Médoc)
Soils: Gravelly sediments with an underlying mainly blue clay subsoil.
Assemblage: 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot
Ageing: 12 months in oak casks
Tasting: a full-bodied and tart wine with a deep, ripe taste and a refreshing minty finish.
Château Bibian (Haut-Médoc)
Soils: Pyrenean gravel
Assemblage: 65% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Petit Verdot.
Ageing: 12 month in oak barrels (40% new)
Tasting: in general there is a concentration of fruity bouquet, but the taste is still a bit closed and the tannins are a bit dry.
Château Cissac Clément Pichon (Haut-Médoc)
Soils: coarse gravel on the surface, with iron inclusions
Assemblage: 70% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cabernet Franc
Ageing: 12 months in new barrels (30%), one year old barrels (20%) and neutral vats (50%)
Tasting: fresh profile with hints of sour red berries, flowers and spices. Aromas are discreet, but there is good concentration on the palate, despite the fact that most of the blend is Merlot, for which the vintage was less favourable.
Château Doyac (Haut-Médoc)
Soils: Clay-lime.
Assemblage: 75% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc
Ageing: 12 months in oak casks (25% new)
Tasting: Full and ripe profile, with red and black berry tones (cherry, currant, plum), spices and a long finish
Château Lamothe-Bergeron (Haut-Médoc)
Soils: Gravel from Garonne.
Assemblage: 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot.
Ageing: 12 months in new oak barrels (30%)
Tasting: complex and balanced profile with good concentration and freshness. The middle of the palate is complemented by spices, finish is minty and lingering. Excellent potential for aging and development.
Château Larose Trintaudon (Haut-Médoc)
Soils: Fine gravel, sandy, clay-lime.
Assemblage: 44% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot, 16% Petit Verdot
Ageing: 12 months in oak barrels
Tasting: the wine is distinguished by its fresh and open bouquet of acidic red berries, high acidity and slightly drying, but fine-grained tannins. The profile is quite capable of becoming softer in the future.
Château Paloumey (Haut-Médoc)
Soils: Quaternary alluvial gravel (Garonne River)
Assemblage: 63% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37% Merlot.
Ageing: 12 months in barrels (30% new)
Tasting: an elegant wine with integrated woody tones (spices, toast) and a juicy and fresh berry bouquet (red cherry, strawberry). Excellent potential for development and a balanced bouquet.
Château Peyrabon (Haut-Médoc)
Soils: Sandy gravel
Assemblage: 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26.5% Merlot, 5.5% Petit Verdot, 3% Cabernet Franc
Ageing: 14 months in barrels
Tasting: complex and harmonious bouquet with good concentration, medium body and integrated tannic structure. A very pleasant wine, which has the potential to develop elegantly.
Château Pontoise Cabarrus (Haut-Médoc)
Soils: Gravel
Assemblage: 56% Cabernet Sauvignon, 44% Merlot
Ageing: 12 months in oak casks (33% new).
Tasting: bouquet of fresh red and black berries, concentrated flavours and pronounced, but harmonious tannins
Château du Retout (Haut-Médoc)
Soils: Deep gravel, clay gravel
Assemblage: 79% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Merlot.
Ageing: 12 months in oak casks (1/3 new).
Tasting: intense and ripe wine with typical hints of Cabernet Sauvignon (blackcurrant, menthol), concentration, long, elegant finish. A promising wine.
Château Cap Léon Veyrin (Listrac-Médoc)
Soils: Clay-lime Soils
Assemblage: 35% Cabernet Sauvignon, 60% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot
Ageing: 12 months in oak barrels (50% new)
Tasting: woodiness is quite pronounced (bread, burnt wood, caramel), berries and spices are slightly less present, but the wine may well take on a more balanced profile in the aging process.
Château Fonréaud (Listrac-Médoc)
Soils: Gravel from the Pyrenees, clay, loam, clay-lime.
Assemblage: Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot.
Ageing: in oak casks (30% new)
Tasting: restrained organoleptic profile with hints of red and black berries. Good concentration, but firm tannins and a still closed taste
Château Biston Brillette (Moulis-en-Médoc)
Soils: Clay-lime and gravelly.
Assemblage: 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 50% Merlot
Ageing: 12 months in oak casks (30% new)
Tasting: sour, but ripe red berries (strawberries, cherries), sweet spices, moderate tartness, good concentration and a fairly long finish. A wine with good potential
Château Caroline (Moulis-en-Médoc)
Soils: Gravel from the Pyrenees, clay, loam, clay-lime.
Assemblage: Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot.
Ageing: in oak casks, 20% new
Tasting: typical and bright fruity bouquet with pronounced aromatics and noticeable woody nuances that complement but do not overpower the fruity bouquet.
Château Laloudey (Moulis-en-Médoc)
Soils: Tertiary gravel of mountainous origin (Pyrenean).
Assemblage: 84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Merlot
Ageing: 14-18 months in oak barrels (50% new, 50% one year old) from five cooperages
Tasting: a juicy and ripe bouquet, combining typical hints of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot (blackcurrant, black and red cherry, strawberry) and integrated and varied woody notes (liquorice, vanilla, menthol). Moderate tartness, elegance and good developmental potential.
Château Mongravey (Margaux)
Soils: Quaternary river gravel from Garonne River, round pebbles, sand
Assemblage: 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc
Maturation: 16 months in oak casks from eight cooperages, medium-bodied and renewed every year at 69%.
Tasting: an enveloping and rich wine with a ripe bouquet of black and red berries (black cherry, plum and currant, cranberry), complemented by a pleasant and long spicy finish (licorice, vanilla). The woody nuances are well integrated and are represented mainly by spices rather than coffee or toast.
Château de Côme (Saint-Estèphe)
Soils: Clayey-lime.
Assemblage: 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Merlot, 10% Petit Verdot
Ageing: 12-14 months in oak casks (30% new)
Tasting: typical Saint Estèphe with a strong tannin structure, hints of black berries (blackcurrant and cherry), spices, mint. Dense body, long finish.
Château Laffitte Carcasset (Saint-Estèphe)
Soils: river gravel, Garonne, clay-lime subsoil.
Assemblage: Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot.
Ageing: 12 months in oak casks (40% new)
Tasting: restrained bouquet, closed aromatics and powerful dry tannins. Good structure, it is possible that the wine will develop better in a few months.
Château Tour des Termes (Saint-Estèphe)
Soils: 2/3 gravel, 1/3 clay-lime.
Assemblage: 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot, 5% Cabernet Franc
Ageing: 15 months in oak from Allier, 50% of the barrels are new
Tasting: a wine with good tannin structure and enough body to age well, but still with a dry, closed bouquet and a dry mouth.
Tasting of Crus Bourgeois
Château les Anguilleys (Médoc)
Soils: clay-gravel-siliceous, calcareous subsoil.
Assemblage: 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 50% Merlot.
Ageing: partially in oak casks
Tasting: an open, pleasantly fruity wine, with softly textured tannins and light woody notes. Rounded, drinkable, but with a short aftertaste.
Château d’Argan (Médoc)
Soils: Clay and lime
Assemblage: 62% Merlot, 38% Cabernet Sauvignon.
Ageing: 18 months
Tasting: The tannins have a firm structure, but are slightly drying (possibly due to the dominant Merlot). Understated bouquet, but good concentration, a long aftertaste and the potential for long aging.
Château Beauvillage (Médoc)
Soils: Clay-lime
Assemblage: 62% Merlot, 38% Cabernet Sauvignon.
Ageing: 12 months in medium oak casks
Tasting: a supple and soft wine, with a fruity finish and delicate integrated oak notes. Pleasant and even already drinkable
Château Blaignan (Médoc)
Soils: Clay-lime.
Assemblage: 63% Merlot, 37% Cabernet Sauvignon.
Ageing: 15-17 months
Tasting: the aroma opens up with various spices and woody notes (vanilla, licorice), delicately joined by a fruity bouquet. On the palate – with pleasant acidity of fresh red berries, interesting minerality, suppleness and a long rich aftertaste.
Château Bois Mondot Saint Germain (Médoc)
Soils: Clay-lime, river gravels of the Garonne.
Assemblage: Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon.
Maturation: Neutral vats with oak planks (staves).
Tasting: the bouquet is quite ripe and aromatic, oak hint are very light, tannins are fine but perceptible. A satisfying result for an alternative production method, using oak staves and not barrels.
Château Fontis (Médoc)
Soils: Clay-lime.
Assemblage: 50% Merlot, 50% Cabernet Sauvignon
Ageing: 100% in oak casks, of which 25% are new
Tasting: elegant profile with a pleasant berry bouquet, slightly woody and spicy. The tannins are palpable but integrated. Good potential for development.
Château la France Delhomme (Médoc)
Soils: calcareous plateau
Assemblage: Not yet defined.
Ageing: 12 months in oak casks, of which one third are new, one third are barrels of one year and one third – of two years
Tasting: harmonious organoleptic profile with velvety tannins and a bright berry bouquet with delicate spices. Long finish, good structure.
Château Gémeillan (Médoc)
Soils: Gravelly on the surface, clayey subsoil.
Assemblage: 54% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Cabernet Franc.
Ageing: 12 months in oak barrels
Tasting: a balanced wine with a bouquet of ripe blackcurrant and black cherry, fine-grained tannins and a medium body.
Château d’Hanteillan (Haut-Médoc)
Soils: Clay-lime.
Assemblage: 60% Merlot, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Petit Verdot.
Ageing: 50% in new, annual and biennial oak casks, 50% in concrete vats
Tasting: balanced bouquet of black and red berries, caramel, pleasant tannins and medium body.
Château Laborde (Haut-Médoc)
Soils: Clay-lime.
Assemblage: 60% Merlot, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Petit Verdot.
Ageing: 14-16 months in oak barrels
Tasting: blackcurrant, black cherry, integrated oak notes, tannins, medium body – good balance.
Château Lacour Jacquet (Haut-Médoc)
Soils: Gravelly.
Assemblage: 25% Merlot, 75% Cabernet Sauvignon.
Ageing: 12 months in oak barrels
Tasting: blackcurrant, black cherry, integrated woody notes, noticeable tannins, medium body – good balance
Château Lamothe Cissac (Haut-Médoc)
Soils: Clay-lime and clay-gravel.
Assemblage: 35% Merlot, 58% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Petit Verdot
Ageing: 12 months in oak casks
Tasting: tart wine, but compared to the structure of the tannins the fruit bouquet seems closed in attack. The mid-palate is also noticeably tart, but with greater richness and concentration.
Château Liversan (Haut-Médoc)
Soils: Gravelly, loamy-sandy on calcareous sediments.
Assemblage: Not yet definitive
Ageing: 12 months, 1/3 in neutral vats, 2/3 in oak barrels, of which 1/3 are new, 1/3 – of one year, 1/3 – of two years
Tasting: soft, supple and pleasant, with slightly sugary ripeness, balanced by adequate acidity and sour berries in the bouquet. The oak aromas are delicate and harmonious.
Château Maurac (Haut-Médoc)
Soils: Clay-lime and gravelly.
Assemblage: 55% Merlot, 45% Cabernet Sauvignon.
Ageing: 15-18 months in oak casks (80% new) with malolactic fermentation in barrels
Tasting: The bouquet is full and ripe with red and black berries, fine spicy and oak notes, and a lingering finish.
Château Peyredon Lagravette (Haut-Médoc)
Soils: Quaternary gravels
Assemblage: 37% Merlot, 63% Cabernet Sauvignon.
Ageing: 100% in new oak barrels
Tasting: in terms of aromatics – a complex, balanced bouquet of berries, spices and toast. On the palate – ample concentration, but the tannins are dry, perhaps from the as yet unintegrated characteristics of aging in new barrels rather than from the grapes.
Château Vieux Landat (Haut-Médoc)
Soils: Sandy and gravelly on clayey soils
Assemblage: 65% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Petit Verdot
Ageing: 18 months in oak casks (50%) and neutral vats (50%)
Tasting: A pleasantly ripe bouquet of aromas and flavours, with balancing acidity and herbal and floral notes. The finish is long, but the tannins are drying .
Château Vieux Moulin (Listrac-Médoc)
Soils: Gravel and clay-lime.
Assemblage: 55% Merlot, 45% Cabernet Sauvignon
Ageing: 12 months in oak barrels
Tasting: the aromas and flavours are open and ripe, the wine is lively, the tannins have good structure. Alcohol level is slightly higher than most of the other wines.
Château Chemin Royal (Moulis-en-Médoc)
Soils: Gravel from the Pyrenees on clay-lime subsoil.
Assemblage: Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot.
Ageing: in oak casks (30% new)
Tasting: rich and juicy fruit profile of red and black berries with slight spice. Refreshing acidity, good duration and moderate tartness on the palate.
Château Guitignan (Moulis-en-Médoc)
Soils: Garonne River gravel and clay-lime.
Assemblage: 55% Merlot, 45% Cabernet Sauvignon.
Ageing: 12 months in oak casks
Tasting: pleasant and open fruit attack, the tannins are pronounced and strong. Long finish with light bitterness and high acidity.
Château Myon de l’Enclos (Moulis-en-Médoc)
Soils: Garonne River gravel and clay-lime.
Assemblage: 50% Merlot, 50% Cabernet Sauvignon.
Ageing: 14 months in oak barrels
Tasting: complex bouquet of berries, spices and flowers, with minty freshness. Flavour is enveloping and juicy, with excellent support of tannins and high acidity. A concentrated and balanced wine with good aging potential.
Château Bellevue de Tayac (Margaux)
Soils: Gravel with clay subsoil.
Assemblage: 70% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Petit Verdot.
Ageing: 12 months in oak casks (60% new).
Tasting: restrained aroma, but open, fruity taste with spicy notes and softly textured tannins and medium-long finish. Pleasant and delicate Margaux
Château Plantey (Pauillac)
Soils: Garonne River gravel
Assemblage: 50% Merlot, 50% Cabernet Sauvignon.
Ageing: 12 months in oak barrels (30% new).
Tasting: expressive aromatics and bright flavours with typical Pauillac notes of blackcurrant, cherry, bright woody notes (cedar, smoky, coffee). The tannins are firm, which is characteristic of the young wines from Médoc’s communal appellations, but do not lose their organoleptic profile, providing excellent aging potential.
Château la Commanderie (Saint-Estèphe)
Soils: Garonne River gravels
Assemblage: 50% Merlot, 50% Cabernet Sauvignon
Ageing: 12 months in oak barrels
Tasting: the aroma is marked by the oak aging (coffee, burnt wood, cedar), but the taste is predominantly fruity, with dominant hints of sour red berries. The aftertaste is marked by the same pronounced oak hints and dry tannins.
Château Plantier Rose (Saint-Estèphe)
Soils: deep gravel.
Assemblage: 30% Merlot, 62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Petit Verdot
Ageing: Not yet defined
Tasting: interesting aromatics, combining delicate floral nuances, berries, sweet spices and woody notes. The finish is rich and long, with a slight bitterness.
Château Tour de Pez (Saint-Estèphe)
Soils: 70% marl with clay, 20% clay-lime, 10% gravel with clay subsoil.
Assemblage: 62% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Cabernet Franc
Ageing: 16 months in oak casks (1/3 new).
Tasting: the high proportion of Cabernet Franc (atypical for the appellation) adds pronounced floral notes (violet, peony) to the bouquet of red berries and delicate spices. The taste is pleasant, fresh, with a medium body and good longevity. Very pronounced tannins, slightly drying.
Château Tour Saint-Fort (Saint-Estèphe)
Soils: Clay-lime.
Assemblage: 42% Merlot, 36% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Petit Verdot.
Ageing: 100% in oak casks (1/3 new).
Tasting: complex bouquet with a strong typicality of the Petit Verdot – the attack is spicy and expressive, then the taste develops in a “fruity” direction with delicate floral notes. A soft wine with velvety tannins and a lingering finish.
