Recently, Alexandre Ma released his eagerly awaited Bordeaux 2021 in-bottle tasting report, shedding light on the quality and characteristics of this latest vintage.
Ma's assessment distinguishes the 2021 vintage as not traditional greatness but far from a poor showing, rating it two out of five stars, placing it above 2007 and 2013. Notably, Sauternes wines shone, with two standing out as top scorers, alongside three exceptional whites.
In his comprehensive evaluation, Ma observes a delicacy in the red wines, marked by lower alcohol, heightened acidity, and paler hues compared to previous vintages. Despite this, he identifies common issues such as coarse tannins and lackluster aromas in many samples. Conversely, he lauds the 2021 white wines as 'absolutely stellar,' attributing their excellence to the complex weather conditions that yielded lofty acidity and nuanced flavors.
Ma's meticulous tasting of over 800 bottles reveals an intriguing trend: while many wines excelled during the En Primeur tastings, they failed to deliver in-bottle. Notable examples include Domaine de Chevalier Rouge and Château Léoville Poyferré, which saw their scores decrease upon bottling. Conversely, some wines exceeded expectations, such as Château Haut-Brion Blanc and Domaine de Chevalier Blanc.
The report underscores the nuanced performance of Bordeaux 2021, suggesting it's a vintage destined for immediate enjoyment rather than extended cellaring. This sentiment echoes Liv-ex's observation that the 2021 vintage, despite lower average scores, commands similar market prices to recent vintages.
As the Bordeaux 2021 vintage continues to unfold, Ma's insights offer invaluable guidance to enthusiasts and investors navigating this dynamic wine landscape.