The first of our 2021 Bordeaux wine in bottle reports kicks off with a look AOC Bordeaux, red and white wine, along with the best 2021 Bordeaux Superieur. While 2021 Bordeaux was a challenging vintage, especially for smaller growers in AOC Bordeaux, the year is very strong for dry white Bordeaux. As you can see from my tasting notes below, there are several, notable white wines that deliver a lot of character, and style, as well as a lot of bang for the buck this year.
All of the following 2021 Bordeaux AOC and Bordeaux Superieur wines were tasted in non-blind tasting conditions in my home office.
2021 Auguste – Bordeaux – Bright, crisp, almost acidic cherries and a strong sense of greenery with rustic tannins show here. This will be best consumed over the next few years. Drink from 2024-2028. 80 Pts
2021 Balthus – Bordeaux Supérieur – Produced from 100% Merlot, the wine pops with Espresso beans, flowers, chocolate in the nose. On the palate, the wine is round, fruity and polished, with chocolate covered cherries that are on display in the finish. Drink from 2024-2034. 90 Pts
2021 Barrau – Bordeaux – Light, bright, uncomplicated, soft, early-drinking, simple quaffer with a focus on its herb, pepper and cherry tones. Drink from 2024-2027. 84 Pts
2021 Brane Cantenac Baron de Brane Blanc – Bordeaux – Quite orange in nature with oranges, mango and tangerine at its core, the wine is sweet, vibrant and fruity, with lift and energy. This is a good example of a baby Brane Cantenac Blanc. Drink from 2024-2028. 90 Pts
2021 Brane Cantenac Blanc – Bordeaux – Only the second vintage for this white from Brane Cantenac, the wine comes on strong with its notes of pineapple, flowers, green apples, pears, spice and orange rind. Fresh, and creamy as well as vibrant and fruity, the wine leaves you with a nice blend of lemons, pineapples, green apples and white peach. Drink from 2024-2030. 93 Pts
2021 Brondeau – Bordeaux Supérieur – Licorice, plums and a touch of espresso form the core of this wine. A bit better in the nose than on the medium bodied, sharp, piquant palate. The wine finishes with dark cocoa and black raspberries. Drink from 2024-2029. 86 Pts
2021 Charreau Wilson Silla Blanc Sec – Bordeaux – From a blend of 50% Sauvignon Blanc and 50% Semillon, the wine offers its profile of crisp grapefruits, lemon peels, green apples , tangerine and flowers with ease. The palate is bright, lemony and sweet. Drink from 2024-2027. 86 Pts
2021 Clos des Lunes Lune d’Argent – Bordeaux – Honeysuckle, white peach, spice, ginger, and pineapple with a dab of vanilla smell great. And, the palate is even better with all of its creamy, fresh, green apples and tropical fruits. The wine blends 70% Semillon with 30% Sauvignon Blanc. Due to the frost, close to 50% of the harvest was lost. Drink from 2024-2029. 93 Pts
2021 Clos-du-Beau-Pere Blanc du Beau Père – Bordeaux – Not only the best white Bordeaux wine from Pomerol, it is also the only Pomerol Blanc. In fact, it is the first white wine from Pomerol in over 100 years. The wine pops with green apples, pineapples, flowers and white peaches with Meyer lemons. Fresh, vibrant, fruity and fun, this is a great wine to bring to a blind tasting. Produced from a blend of 50% Sauvignon Blanc and 50% Sauvignon Gris, the production is limited to 2,500 bottles. Drink from 2024-2030. 91 Pts
2021 Cos d’Estournel Blanc – Bordeaux – Bright, fresh and fruity with loads of sweet, ripe, green apples, lemons, grapefruit, and floral notes. The wine manages to remain vibrant with ample concentration, complexity and finishes with additional nuances of mango, pineapple and honeysuckle. You can enjoy this on release, though it will gain nuances with a few years in the bottle. Drink from 2024-2034. 96 Pts
2021 Cos dEstournel Pagodes de Cos Blanc – Bordeaux – With a focus on its flowers, green apple and yellow citrus, this is already drinking at close to peak, offering lift, energy and a nice blend of lemon and grapefruit from start to finish. Drink from 2024-2028. 91 Pts
2021 Croix de Labrie Stella Solare – Bordeaux – Honeysuckle, white peach, green apples and pineapple create the attention-seeking nose. On the palate, the wine is rich, fresh and fruity with a lively pineapple note that lingers. Drink from 2024-2029. 91 Pts
2021 D’Anglade Grande Réserve – Bordeaux Supérieur – A touch of cocoa, licorice and cherries form the nose and palate. Medium-bodied, or perhaps, closer to light in weight, the wine is soft, fresh and easy-to-drink with its red cherries, mint, and raspberry finish. This is going to best for near-term drinking. Drink from 2024-2029. 87 Pts
2021 DAiguilhe Blanc – Bordeaux – Lemon, lime, white flowers, ginger, orange, and green apple aromatics pop in the perfume. On the palate, the wine is loaded with sweet, ripe, energetic yellow citrus, pineapples, mango and Indian spice. The wine is produced from 100% Sauvignon Blanc. Drink from 2024-2030. 92 Pts
2021 De Sours Quarry de Sours – Bordeaux – Honeyed citrus, white peach and flowers show nicely in the nose. The palate is round, forward and easy-to-like with its mildly honeyed citrus sensations. Drink from 2024-2027. 87 Pts
2021 De Sours Quarry de Sours – Bordeaux – Round, fruity and forward with ample black cherries, licorice, cocoa and plums from start to finish. This is going to be simply a pleasure to taste on release. Drink from 2024-2032. 90 Pts
2021 Fleur Cardinale Intuition Blanc – Bordeaux – White peach, lemon verbena, honeysuckle and mangos fill the perfume. On the palate, the yellow and white fruits deliver freshness, length and creamy-textures, along with loads of sweet fruits. The wine blends 50% Sauvignon Blanc, 25% Semillon and 25% Sauvignon Gris. Drink from 2024-2028. 91 Pts
2021 Fleur Haut Gaussens – Bordeaux Supérieur – Flowers, earthy cherries, licorice, herbs and a touch of peppery spice define the wine. Medium-bodied, light, fresh and energetic, the wine leaves you with the sensation of peppery cherries, cocoa and a chalky finish. Drink from 2024-2030. 88 Pts
2021 Galochet – Bordeaux – Medium-bodied with loads of red cherries and plums with a savory, herbal edge. This easy, uncomplicated, bright, crisp, wine,, with its minty edge is best for drinking over the next few years. Drink from 2024-2027. 85 Pts
2021 Haut Bellegarde – Bordeaux – Chewy cherries and plums with bitter chocolate show in the nose and on the palate here in this made, for early-drinking wine. This will be best consumed over the next few years. Drink from 2024-2028. 85 Pts
2021 La Communion – Bordeaux Supérieur – Incense, and wild cherries form the core of this this early-drinking, soft, medium-bodied, forward, easy, uncomplicated wine. This will be best in its youth and over the next few years. Drink from 2024-2029. 86 Pts
2021 La Dauphine Blanc – Bordeaux – Orange rind, white peach, pineapple and green apples create the nose. There is a touch of salinity that adds to the sweet yellow fruits, honey and green apples in the finish. The wine blends 65% Sauvignon Blanc with 35% Semillon. Drink from 2024-2028. 89 Pts
2021 La Fleur de Bouard Sauvignon – Bordeaux – Yellow citrus rind, flowers and spice smell great in the nose. On the palate, the wine is sweet and fresh, delivering a nice blast of lemon freshness in the finish. Drink from 2024-2027. 88 Pts
2021 La Freynelle Cabernet Sauvignon – Bordeaux – Flower, spearmint, tobacco and peppery red fruits open the wine. On the palate, the wine is medium-bodied, bright and fresh, with a crisp, sweet, red currant and red cherry aftertaste with a chocolate mint finish. Drink from 2024-2035. 89 Pts
2021 La Tour Carnet Blanc – Bordeaux – Green apples, white peach, and floral notes pop in the nose. The palate, with its fresh, lively core of green apples and ginger has a nice, brisk, citrus and spice finish. Drink from 2024-2028. 92 Pts
2021 Larteau – Bordeaux Supérieur – Lighter styled wine with a core lifted red fruits and cocoa. Because the wine is fresh and forward, it is going to be easy to drink on release and over the next few years. Drink from 2024-2031. 87 Pts
2021 Laurence – Bordeaux Supérieur – Forward, soft, fresh, and with a nice sweetness to its palate pleasing red fruits, this is perfect for near-term drinking. The wine is soft, silky and energetic, a true success for the vintage. Drink from 2024-2030. 90 Pts
2021 Laurence Blanc Sec – Bordeaux – Honeysuckle, spice, pineapple, flowers and green apple aromatics create the complex perfume. Even better is the bright, crisp palate with cut and energy in the mouth. Drink from 2024-2029. 91 Pts
2021 Laurence Petite Laurence – Bordeaux – Medium-bodied, soft, forward, vibrant, crisp, red berry-filled wine that is perfect for uncomplicated, early-tasting pleasure. Drink from 2023-2028. 87 Pts
2021 Leroy-Beauval – Bordeaux – Bright red cherries, flowers and plums pop from the glass. The wine is fresh, soft and slightly polished on the palate and in the medium-bodied, fruity, mildly, chocolate topped finish. Drink 2024-2033. 90 Pts
2021 Les Grands Chenes Blanc – Bordeaux – Flowers, vanilla, spice and lemon peel with a dab of honey are right where they should be on the nose and on the lush, fruity palate. Drink from 2024-2028. 88 Pts
2021 Luc de Beaumont – Bordeaux – Light, fresh, bright, soft, chewy, peppery and tart with hints of cocoa in the drying finish. Drink from 2024-2027. 83 Pts
2021 Maine Gazin Petit Verdot – Bordeaux Supérieur – Flowers and meaty, spicy black and red cherries permeate the nose. On the palate, the wine is medium-bodied, forward, fruity and chalky in the, fruit-oriented, peppery endnote. This is one of the few Bordeaux wines produced using only 100% Petit Verdot. Drink from 2024-2030. 87 Pts
2021 Pas de l’Ane Optimus – Bordeaux – Honeysuckle, flowers, pineapple and white peach skins create the character here. Round and sweet, with a nice peach note in the finish. Produced from 100% Semillon. Drink from 2024-2028. 89 Pts
2021 Paveil de Luze Blanc – Bordeaux – Honeysuckle, white flowers, citrus and pineapple crowd into the perfume. On the palate, the wine is fresh, fruity and sweet, with a blend of tropical fruits and citrus in the finish. Drink from 2024-2029. 91 Pts
2021 Pey-La-Tour Reserve – Bordeaux Supérieur – Not overly complicated, but the plums and cherries are soft, sweet, and fresh, leaving you with earthy black cherries and a chalky finish on the backend. You can enjoy this with pleasure on release. Drink from 2024-2032. 88 Pts
2021 Plain-Point Blanc – Bordeaux – An unusual blend featuring Sauvignon Blanc with Gros Manseng is all about its green apples and pineapples with their touch of honey and spice. Brisk and vibrant fruits hit the palate and the finish. Drink from 2024-2028. 88 Pts
2021 Prieure-Lichine Le Blanc du Chateau – Bordeaux – Vanilla, white peach, almonds, orange rind and flowers open the perfume. The palate enjoys a blend of fresh, yellow citrus and white peaches wrapped up in a creamy-textured bow. It is not a wine I see often, making this quite fun to taste. Drink from 2024-2030. 93 Pts
2021 Puygueraud Blanc – Bordeaux – White peaches, green apples, lemons, flowers and lime add pop to the perfume. On the palate, the wine is sweet, juicy, creamy, crisp and tropical, with a touch of ginger and spice in the finish. Drink from 2024-2029. 91 Pts
2021 Reignac – Bordeaux Supérieur – Espresso, flowers, licorice and cherries are easy to find in the soft, forward, medium-bodied, early-drinking charmer. The ending is quite nice with touch of spicy chocolate that shows up at the end of the finish. Drink from 2024-2032. 89 Pts
2021 Rosaire – Bordeaux – The debut vintage of this new wine from Hubert de Bouard is forward, fruity, fresh, soft and is frankly, simply, easy-drinking-pleasure in your glass. Drink from 2024-2030. 90 Pts
2021 Toulouse Lautrec Blanc – Bordeaux – Musty green apples and pineapple blend in the perfume. On the palate, the wine is round, creamy and fruity. This is best for early drinking. Drink from 2024-2026. 85 Pts
2021 Tour Saint Christophe Angela – Bordeaux – I like the myriad of yellow and orange citrus fruits, honeysuckle, and white flowers in the perfume. The palate is even better with its layers of sweet, creamy fruits, freshness, length and energy. Produced from 100% Sauvignon Blanc, this is fun wine to taste that I do not see often enough. With only 175 cases produced per vintage, it is not easy to find, but it is worth the effort. Drink from 2024-2030. 93 Pts
2021 Tour de Bellegarde – Bordeaux Supérieur – Forward, easy-to-drink wine with an uncomplicated character and a strong sense of greenery on the medium-bodied and finish. Drink from 2024-2030. 86 Pts
2021 Trocard – Bordeaux Supérieur – Candied orange and red cherries for the nose. On the palate, the wine is light, lifted and short, with a red berry endnote from start to finish. Drink from 2024-2029. 85 Pts
2021 Trocard Monrepos – Bordeaux Supérieur – Produced from 100% Merlot, the wine is quite oaky on the nose. The palate is soft, round and also oaky, with sweet, cherries on the uncomplicated, simple, backend. Drink from 2024-2029. 84 Pts
2021 Valandraud Blanc de Valandraud – Bordeaux – Honeysuckle, white flowers, green apples, lemon peel and pomelo notes are all over the place here in the nose and on the palate. Vibrant, energetic and lush, the finish lingers with its crisp citrus flavors and flamboyant nature. The wine blends 50% Sauvignon Gris, 35% Sauvignon Blanc and 15% Semillon. A year f aging has added a lot to this wine. Drink from 2024-2035. 95 Pts
2021 Viduc – Bordeaux Supérieur – Light-weight, forward, simple, but, pleasant, red cherry charmer that is perfect for near-term drinking over the next few years. Drink from 2024-2028. 85 Pts
2021 VirginieThunevin – Bordeaux – Black cherries, smoke, espresso and leafy tobacco notes come on strong in the nose. On the palate, the wine is medium-bodied, soft and supple, finishing with light cherries and a smidgeon of dark cocoa on the backend. This is going to be delicious on release. Drink from 2024-2031. 89 Pts
For an overview of the 2021 Bordeaux vintage with links to all of our appellation reports 2021 Bordeaux In Bottle Report for the Best 750 Wines of the vintage We are continuing our reports on the top 750 wines tasted in bottle from the 2021 Bordeaux vintage. Up next, we are continuing our coverage as we focus on the Left Bank with 2021 Medoc Wines followed by the complete guide to 2021 Haut Medoc wines.
