2021 Lalande de Pomerol had a growing season quite similar to 2021 Pomerol, except that the vineyards in Lalande de Pomerol suffered much more loss from the frosts that struck the appellation April 7 and April 8. Sadly, the production is way down for many vignerons in the appellation.
All of the following 2021 Lalande de Pomerol wines were tasted in Bordeaux in non-blind tasting conditions.
2021 Canon Chaigneau – Quite floral in nature, the wine is fresh, easy drinking, and plummy, with loads of sweet, ripe, fruity, chocolate, and cherry overtones. Drink from 2023-2029. 89-91 Pts
2021 Canon Chaigneau Cuvee En Beton – Medium-bodied, fresh, lighter-styled, easy-drinking, red plum-focused wine that will be best enjoyed over the next few years. Drink from 2022-2027. 86-88 Pts
2021 Chambrun – Damage from the frost reduced the yields by close to 90%! What’s left opens with black raspberries and espresso nuances. Medium-bodied, round, and forward, and starts off well but the finish is on the `firm side of the style range. Drink from 2023-2029. 87-89 Pts
2021 Chenade – Cocoa topped plums with flowers on the nose are perfect to form the backdrop for all the medium-bodied, soft-textured, forward, sweet, juicy, red pit fruits on the palate. Produced from 100% Merlot, 13.5% ABV, drink from 2023-2034. 88-90 Pts
2021 Haut-Surget – Red plums, cocoa, herbs, underbrush, and wet earth aromatics create the complex nose. Medium-bodied, soft, bright, crisp, fresh, and spicy, the strawberry and peppery finish is easy to enjoy. Drink from 2023-2032. 86-88 Pts
2021 LAmbroisie – Flowers and plums show with ease on the nose before you get to the soft, medium-bodied, forward, early-drinking, supple palate with all of its red fruits, cocoa, and coffee bean notes. Drink from 2023-2029. 87-89 Pts
2021 La Croix Bellevue – Bright, fresh, soft red fruits and plums with a floral accent are already on display here in this ready-to-drink, forward, medium-bodied charmer. The wine blends 50% Merlot with equal parts Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. Drink from 2023-2029. 87-89 Pts
2021 La Croix des Moines – With an earthy, floral, red berry nose, the wine is medium-bodied, forward, soft and fresh and is perfect for near-term drinking pleasure for all of its already open, bright, red fruits. Drink from 2023-2029. 86-88 Pts
2021 La Fleur de Bouard – Flowers, star anise, cherries, cocoa, licorice, and a hint of espresso bean on the nose. On the palate, the wine is soft, silky, sweet, fresh and chalky with dark chocolate and cherries on the backend. There is no Le Plus this year, which makes this a stronger wine as all of that old vine Merlot was placed into the blend. The wine is 85% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. Drink from 2023-2033. 89-91 Pts
2021 La Fleur de Bouard Le Lion – Forward, plummy, early-drinking, soft, open, and already quite easy to taste, you should enjoy this on the young side to maintain the majority of its fruit. Drink from 2023-2027. 86-88 Pts
2021 La Graviere – Flowers, with red plum accents for the nose. The wine is soft, medium-bodied, bright, fresh, and juicy and will be best in its youth. Drink from 2023-2029. 87-89 Pts
2021 Les Cruzelles – Medium-bodied, fresh, sweet, ripe, vibrant plums with a dash of chocolate mint on the nose and on the bright, crisp, soft-textured, chalky palate. The wine is a blend of 65% Merlot with 35% Cabernet Franc. The high portion of Cab Franc really works with the 2021 vintage. 13.5% ABV. Picking took place September 23-September 30. Drink from 2024-2037. 90-92 Pts
2021 Sabines – Earthy plums, coffee bean, and light cocoa on the nose and on the palate in this soft, round, forward, easy to like, forward, early-drinking plummy wine. Drink from 2023-2031. 88-90 Pts
2021 Siaurac – Fresh, bright, earthy, medium-bodied, red berry, and forest floor profile that will be ready to drink on release. Drink from 2023-2030. 87-89 Pts
2021 Tournefeuille – Fresh, crisp, plummy, earthy, and with a touch of chocolate form the core of this ready-to-drink, cherry-filled charmer. This is already showing really nicely. Drink from 2023-2030. 87-89 Pts
We are continuing our reports on all the best 2021 Right Bank wines. Up next, 2021 Cotes de Bordeaux followed by 2021 Bordeaux Superieur and then generic AOC, 2021 Bordeaux red and white wines.
