St-Estèphe 2021 in bottle: Overview plus top-scoring wines
See tasting notes and scores for the top-performing St-Estèphe wines from the difficult 2021 vintage in Bordeaux now that they have been bottled.
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A relatively strong performance in 2021 with some great wines produced, particularly those on clay-limestone soils: clear terroir markers show through in the best.
Despite 15% less rain than in 2020, and September temperatures the highest in 100 years, yields were almost identical, with many estates having been spared the spring frosts. Some wines are now displaying quite austere tannins and rustic edges, but there are some highlights, too.
Scroll down to see tasting notes and scores for the top St-Estèphe 2021 in-bottle wines
Château Montrose is a specific highlight from this appellation in 2021 with tension and direction, lots of focus and energy as well as concentration. They seem to manage the weather conditions and the ageing really well, producing a very ‘classic’ Bordeaux in the best sense.
Cos d’Estournel and Calon Ségur are also impressive as are some of the non-classified wines from the region including Phélan Ségur, de Pez and Meyney which should offer easy and early drinkability and relative value too.
The worst wines seem to amplify the rusticity that St-Estèphe sometimes offers with dry tannins, some green fruit and harsh finishes. Some wines will need time for the oakiness to wear off and some others should be drunk and enjoyed young.
BORDEAUX 2021 IN BOTTLE SCORE TABLE: Top-scoring 133 wines with 93 points or above
Individual appellation analysis and top-scoring wines
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Pauillac 2021 | Margaux 2021 | St-Julien 2021| Pomerol 2021 | Pessac & Graves 2021 | St-Emilion 2021 |
See tasting notes and scores for the top St-Estèphe 2021 in-bottle wines
See all Bordeaux 2021 in-bottle wines in score order
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