Classic with a touch of modern! 

The 2021 vintage will forever be etched in the memories of many Bordeaux winegrowers.

A pandemic year and a year of all challenges, they had to deal with a mild but rainy winter and episodes of frost in April, where certain areas suffered considerable yield losses. Subsequently, a fear of seeing mildew set in with a summer that was dark and very humid. A few unexpected episodes of sunshine, added to the many meticulous viticultural works, have finally allowed the berry to gain in maturity and balance against all odds. 

The late season arrived and a crucial decision now had to be made: harvest immediately when the berries had not fully matured or wait knowing that they were risking the health of the harvest with weather forecasts that left portend a gloomy and rainy autumn. Long periods of sunshine were finally punctuated by the torrential rains of September and patience was rewarded because this made it possible to reach maturities, hitherto unexpected, while preserving a beautiful freshness. 

It seems more important to us than ever to have been present to taste this complex vintage where the various decisions, taken throughout the year, leave an undeniable imprint on each wine. The 2021 vintage is therefore a heterogeneous vintage and clearly a winegrower's vintage to reach such qualitative levels. 

The wines we have selected are all marked by a freshness specific to 2021, by an expression of the terroir that pours into authenticity and by an astonishing overall balance which make them wines that you will be able to appreciate more quickly, of course, but also to preserve a few years in the cellar.  

Certain regions of the left bank (Saint-Julien, Pauillac and Saint-Estèphe) stood out from the rest with very successful Cabernets which will bring backbone and structure to the wines.  

On the right bank side, the Merlots were hit harder by coulure, mildew and frost, but you will be able to appreciate magnificent Cabernet-Francs which will be of greater importance than the previous vintages in the vast majority rigorously selected wines.  

Finally, with this vintage marked by this beautiful freshness, why not let yourself be tempted by the many white wines which are simply sublime and reach rarely equaled quality levels!

In summary, 2021 is a vintage of challenges where the best producers will have succeeded in delivering excellent results. It also marks a return to basics for Bordeaux with wines in a classic style, of very good quality, imbued with a contemporary touch, after three intensely sunny vintages.   

By Maxime Desjardins, France Buyer and Gilles Goulet, France Account Director.