Yeah, gotta see how it goes - but I think 19/20 were lucky/well timed vintages, 21 I would absolutely not take that bet, probably wouldnt take it in 22 either. As a ‘general’ philosophy, you’ll be right most of the time, I just took a bet that was well timed 
Thanks Henry i remember the posts about that bet now. I’m thinking you will win that one…
There has been a lack of 375s in this vintage. If anyone sees deals on 3rd-5th growths (and right bank equivalents, im looking
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Many of the wines in the K&L markdown are at or below 2019 prices:
Ex:
- Montrose at $129 (vs $135 for 2019 EP)
- Cheval at $450 (vs. $495)
- LMHB at $250 (vs. $255)
- VCC at $250 (vs. $237)
I bought heavily in 2019 and while I am looking forward to them, they’re all 14.5% wines, give or take. The 2021 versions are all ~13% alcohol and sound quite appealing if not blockbusters (from WK’s notes). I’ll probably still wait to taste them in bottle before buying, but those prices are somewhat tempting.
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Me nether, very interesting
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Took a gander at TJs wine selection this morning and they had a “Platinum Reserve” Saint-Emilion GC for $17. Back of the label said produced by Chateau Tour Baladoz.
@Jeff_Leve, I took a look at your site and I know you didn’t taste their 2021. Any info about their bulking out wine? Do they produce Dame de Baladoz every vintage?
From what you wrote, my guess is the estate produced a wine from grapes that came from one, or both of their vineyards for TJ’s. Though, the grapes could be from any vineyard in the appellation.
FWIW, not tasting their 2021 was an accident on my part as the wine is available from their consultant. They were upgraded in the recent classification, making them a Grand Cru Classe, so starting with the 2022 vintage, I will taste it every year. I would think they make a second every vintage, but I have never seen it.
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Thank you Jeff. Based on them not being classified as Grand Cru Classe until 2022, hypothetically it’s possible, though unlikely, this is their first wine bulked out.
Any estate, even an 1855 First Growth can sell its wine/grapes in bulk. In this case, the issue is not what the property does with their grapes or wine., it is how that product is sold. All the top estates sell some of their wine in bulk. However, the resellers cannot state where the fruit comes from.
Petrus does not have a second wine, so declassified sub par barrels. Apparently it is a bit of a sleuthing game to figure out where the wine ended up. Moueix had a generic Pomerol label for a time, and we figured some might have gone in there.
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Further to @Mark_Golodetz’s post beginning in 2009, Petrus started bottling a friends and family bottling called Saute-Loup with the subpar barrels. Label looks like this.
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Having tasted more than my fair share of 2021 at this point over the last couple of weeks I can say it’s looking a bit dire. Best thing to say is that it’s not as bad as 2013 but you know, everything is relative. If you were a buyer this year and expecting wines at 95 points and above for reds… Well, there will be less than one can count on one hand. Certainly not up to 97 in my book. 96 if HARD pressed and generous to one or two.
It is not a vintage for chasing points and will be early drinking mostly.
With that said there are some lovely wines and not all is misery as long as one is willing to accept that 89/90 points can provide pleasure. Which these days most seem to have forgotten.
Les Carmes Haut Brion is a stand out for sure in case you’re wondering and Suduiraut just otherworldly.
Lovely celebratory label AND wine.
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LCHB is the only 2021 Bdx I bought so this makes me happy.
What sort of drinking window would you expect for it? Is this an early drinking vintage?
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I would think that it will not make comparatively old bones but will be lovely from the get go.
Another lovely wine and great value is Jean Faure.
Universally the wines of 2021 are not hiding much. They show what they have and not difficult to understand. It’s one of the easiest vintages to try during en primeur and even easier from bottle. There is simply not much stuffing…
But again, some lovely drinking wines in the high 80 and low 90 territory. And just a frustrating amount of wines which will pass away very early.
I think there was quite a bit of falling for the hype amongst buyers unfortunately and when they get the chance to personally compare 21 against 16, 17, 18, 19, 20 and 22 they will be soarly dissapointed. I’ve had that very opportunity these last few weeks and it’s incredibly revealing.
Cellars of Jean Faure
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Can you elaborate on this a little bit? Despite my desire to never buy sauternes during EP, I bought some based on the very low production levels. I know very little about this other than the very low yields.
Well it’s just a wine of incredible purity, length and supreme elegance. A wine I think will go down as a legend in 100 years if not all gone long before then. I suggested to Christiian Seely that he walls off a secret part of the cellar and then puts the location in his will for a surprise.
For me their best since 2001 and up there with 1959.
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Showed rather well for $17 and being so young. Cork was branded with Trader Joes. One of the better TJ “Platinum Reserve” offerings.
They have a Lussac offering too at $9.99. I’ve had all their private label bordeaux offerings…the '19 Pauillac being their best.
Our group orders cases of 375s every vintage. ‘21 was our smallest purchase but still bought 15-20 cases based on En Premier tasting.
Concentration in ‘21 to ~10 labels
Cheval
Les Carmes Haut Brion
R. Segal
Palmer
Etc
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It is a magnificent wine- I don’t ever buy Sauternes unless birth years, etc but this was simply incredible.
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