With 2021 Bordeaux, it is important to remember that wine is about character, and style. One size isn’t supposed to fit everybody equally. For those of you that read The Wine Cellar Insider, from my barrel tasting scores, and from perusing notes from pervious vintages, 2021 is not my style of vintage. As I wrote when the wines were initially offered, 2021 Bordeaux was not a vintage to purchase as a future. But, that doesn’t mean there not are wines worth considering for you cellars.
Having tasted over 750 Bordeaux from 2021 so far, price aside, wines always depend on the character and style of wines you like.
Numerous people will find wines they will enjoy. As a matter of style and character, if you are one of those wine drinkers believing the demise of classic Bordeaux is due to high alcohol, Robert Parker, and climate change, 2021 Bordeaux is perfect for you.
2021 Bordeaux wines are lower in alcohol, with higher acidities. You will find more red than black fruits, with plenty of pepper, herbs, and savory, minty accents. 2021 is a softer, earlier-drinking version of old-school, classic-styled Bordeaux. Those who think of wines in terms of food wines will also be happy with the vintage.
All of the 2021 Bordeaux wines were tasted in non-blind conditions in my home office.
2021 Bordeaux AOC and 2021 Bordeaux Superieur
We will be adding articles on all of the top appellations starting tomorrow, so stay tuned.
2021 Bordeaux is is not a high-scoring vintage. There is no investment opportunity here. This is a drinker’s vintage with almost every wine being drinkable on release or within a few years.
Prices will drop in 2021 Bordeaux for a while, but this style of vintage is exactly what restaurants need, as the wines are early-drinking, and they do not require hours of decanting. There are not a lot of those years, so prices will not drop forever. Look at the positive comments on years like 1988, 2002, 2004, 2007, 2011 and 2014 today,
2021 Bordeaux is not a generous vintage. But, it does have some high points. While 2021 is better for dry white Bordeaux, and sweet wines from Sauternes than red wines, there are producers that managed to make some good wines. With those estates at the top with the courage, and ability to select only the best grapes, with much of their fruit relegated to second wines, or even being declassified, that is a costly endeavor. Perforce, for vignerons without the financial ability to make draconian selections, 2021 proved to be a much more, difficult proposition.
Perhaps the biggest issue with 2021 Bordeaux in today’s market is pricing. That is if you prefer ripe, more opulent, generous vintages as there are too many other choices at the same price, or less available to purchase. On the other hand, for tasters preferring lower levels of alcohol with more freshness, what difference does it make when the styles of more exalted years are not in your wheel house? You were not going to buy those wines anyway.
Most 2021 Bordeaux wines are not going to earn high scores on my site. But, wine is not just a score. Wines are about character, and style, not just points.
Even the best 2021 Bordeaux will probably get lost over time. Not only because the vintage had the misfortune of following numerous, better years; 2020, 2019, 2018, 2016, and 2015. But, it preceded 2022.
That being said, 2021 Bordeaux, due to its early drinking character is perfect for restaurants, bistros, and cafes. With time, it will find its place in the market. Like I said earlier, one size isn’t supposed to fit everybody equally, and all vintages are not for every palate. And, who knows? With time, some 2021 Bordeaux could develop in the right direction. As someone that belongs to a blind tasting group, I am often surprised how well wines from a previously maligned vintage developed over the years.
For an in depth look at the 2021 Bordeaux growing season, climate and harvest
We will be adding articles on all of the top appellations starting tomorrow, so stay tuned.
The post 2021 Bordeaux In Bottle Report, 750 Wines Tasted and Rated appeared first on The Wine Cellar Insider.
