Top-scoring wines of 2021: 100-point wines

This is compelling, with a bright, forward currant fruit that is opening well now to show the nuance of game, earth, and gunflint to the ripe, dark fruit. The texture is tannic and fresh, with tannins starting to loosen but still in evidence. A luminous, radiant wine that will doubtless improve for another half-century. The vintage saw a solid flowering and fruit set and a warm July, but cool, rainy weather in August slowed ripening. The sun returned for most of September, but there was a bit of rain in the last week, although fine weather returned in October. At Lafite, 38% of the grapes went into the grand vin, a blend of 83% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Merlot, and 8% Petit Verdot – more of this last and less Merlot than customary. From 1996 forward, the percentage of Cabernet was higher than it had been hitherto.

Softly spoken, fine tannins, pencil lead and leather, with truffle, earth, campfire and spice. Long drawn out finish, achingly slow, crushed stone, tobacco and dried roses. As with the 2001, the generosity and beauty of the aromatics tells you that this is absolutely ready to drink - although in many ways it feels like it will last longer than the 2001, as the tannins are still holding everything in place. This got the audience award on the night, and no question it is a stunning wine that is still giving so much pleasure at 25 years old. The 1996 has really grown into itself - it was a late harvest at the time after a burst of rain at the end of September that they decided to wait through before picking, and were rewarded with beautifully ripe Cabernet that was high in dense tannins and a little surly at first, but that has turned into one of the greatest vintages of the 1990s (rivaled only by the 1990 itself in my opinion). 2% Cabernet Franc completes the blend, 100% new oak.

Served over dinner at the château, this gets 100 points because such gorgeous complexity only comes from a great terroir after many years (nearly 60) in bottle. Indeed, from a regular format 75cl bottle, the colour looked younger than the 1975 from magnum, also served. And what gorgeous floral and veritable fine Cuban cigar aromas. The fresh, precise palate with silky tannin reflected not a 'big' wine, but a beautifully refined elixir and perfect for pairing with lamb and girolles. Showed off subtle notes of fine chocolate on an outstandingly long finish.

A small crop due to millerandage and heat that continued through September made for concentrated wine. According to the label, DRC managed 17,753 bottles of La Tâche. This one had been stored in an deep chalk cellar in the Surrey countryside. It was perfectly preserved, and still showed copious amounts of ripe fruit with mature notes of forest floor and black truffle. What lifted it to the next level was a the bouquet that combined mineral and savoury, almost animal character. On the palate it hung together well, still fresh and still remarkably plump, with none of the prune/treacle/caramel character that can affect mature wines. A marvelously memorable bottle.

Grown under an organic/biodynamic and non-interventionist regime, this wine perfectly captures the unique character of an extraordinary vineyard. It boasts great purity and power with layer upon layer of subtle flavours that include violets, red rose petal, dark cherry and mixed spices – a kaleidoscope of ever-changing characters most keenly displayed on the finish. It is delicate, fragrant and has enormous length. Wonderful now, I look forward to charting its progress with bottle age.

Richly scented like you wouldn't believe; earthy truffle, black olive and rosemary fill the glass and don’t let up right through the palate, providing waves of first aroma then flavour. The vintage plays to all of Petrus’ strengths; a classic Merlot year that here combines velvety soft-edged tannins, caressing and cushioning the abundant black cherry, blackberry and bilberry fruit. Traces of campfire, mocha and liquorice are shot through every mouthful, and this is just so good. A small yield meant just 2,400 cases [of 12].

This is as good as it gets for Washington Cabernet Sauvignon. Right away the gorgeous crème de violette and crème de cassis tones join blackberry cordial, exotic spices and dark chocolate shavings. The combination of finesse and texture is downright scintillating. Sweet pipe tobacco is woven together with Black Forest cake, and fresh blueberries and graphite with shades of tar take shape on the palate. Truly sensational even at the three year mark, this will provide drinking enjoyment over the next 20 plus years.

The heady, intense and decadent Galitzine Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon is just an incredible showing from this fantastic vintage on Red Mountain. A glass-staining purple, the bouquet is pure Red Mountain, showing off gorgeous scorched earth with violets, tar and tobacco leaf tones that all work together beautifully. The dense palate is plush and full-bodied taking you on a full-throttle joyride. Gorgeous Turkish coffee and crème de violette flavours deftly combine with blackcurrants, pipe tobacco, and cocoa-dusted black cherry flavours.