I also tasted ~400 2021 wines and have an opposite opinion… the critics over rated these wines as a whole and therefore unless there to taste consumer would have no idea which wines outperformed vs met or below 2021 vintage expectations. Critics cannot score super low (or reality) as other critics like JS will provide super high scores and conceivably chateaus would not provide free wines/invitations to those that they feel unfairly disparage their wines… unless all critics rebalance foundational scoring together, those that wish to be ‘Independent’ (pun intended) would then have to spend tens of thousands of their own money to acquire the samples after release (who would want to give access to the wines purposely when they know the wines could be scored well below median ratings).
Anywhoo- some killer wines in 2021 whether Sauternes, Blanc or rare red treasures. Not suggesting any should or should not be purchased EP but once many of these are in bottle the scoring will be at the upper ranges and could very well exceed quality of previous ‘excellent’ vintages. Again Caveat emptor (whatever that means as the unicorns I reference do not distinguish on price or location.
Still sitting on the sideline watching the releases and pricing. Maybe another week and I will jump in and buy. PLL, Leoville Barton, Canon, Pichon Baron, DDC blanc, still very much TBD for me. Whatever I buy will be in lower quantities than the last 2 EPs.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m really looking forward to trying the wines based on all of the notes so far, including yours, Ian. But WBers craving wines that remind them of 1986 Rausan-Segla are a drop in the bucket of the Bordeaux buying market. For better or worse, points drive sales, especially during EP. Lower points = lower demand… and the relationship is probably geometric rather than linear.
I could be wrong, but I believe 2020 sold relatively poorly, even though it was a “high points” vintage (Jeff Leve passed out potential 100s like halloween candy - 13 wines; Neil Martin only gave out two 100s, but he scored 15 wines a potential 98 or above). Many wines are still available at first tranche prices.
EP 2021 is generally priced the same as 2020 was, with mean scores 2-3 points lower, and customer assets down 20-30% – so there’s little incentive to buy in EP vs. waiting.
I’m curious if you’ve personally bought a lot? Just 3 Leoville Barton + 6 Carmes HB for me so far - and that may be it.
I’m buying with my father, but I’ll probably end up with 8-9 cases in total.
FWIW, this board was founded on the back of anti-Parkerism.
In my last job we offered 2020s, and they sold very well. The thing is that the wines didn’t really excite me. Reminds me of 2015 and 2018. I do like 2019s though, they are very elegant wines.
Henry For reds- Don’t sleep on Calon Segur, Margaux, Carmes (I am about where you are plus 375s) and buy their 2nd wine for early drinking, (Figeac although doubt they will be well priced so TBD, Laroque ($30 are you kidding), Rauz Segla plus a few others. Also I know in the past we talked about Cheval- they did a great job and hard to argue with $100 savings compared to other vintages (it’s not like ‘17 or ‘14).
I’m trying to ease off the spending - wasnt planning to spend a lot this vintage anyway, tbh. Calon I’m sure will be great but not in a place to spend the cash on it. Also agree that Margaux and Cheval Blanc looked decent, but I passed sadly. Will be drawing the line at what I have
If that’s what Halloween candy tastes like, I strongly suggest you all go out trick or treating.
98-99 from Neil, or 98-100 from me, what’s the difference? And don’t forget, I was the first, if not the only person to give Les Carmes Haut Brion 98-100 for the 2016. Everyone else gave it high scores in bottle. But not in barrel.
If you like the style of wines I prefer, they are well worth looking at.
At the end of the day, these are extraordinary wines of character and quality. But wines are more than points. Style and character matter. For many people on this board, 2021 is the better vintage.
I think you need to read Vincent’s post again, particularly the bit about Halloween candy.
And also, if you read most of the other posts, there is some interest in the wines. But, and it’s a huge but, the complaints about the wines are not about the character of the wines but the pricing. They are not priced to sell, and we as buyers, are not going to buy overpriced wines.
For instance Rauzan Segla 2022 at $55 yes, at $75 absolutely not.
as the unicorns I reference do not distinguish on price or location.
