Chateau La Garde 2021

Weinwisser: "62 % Merlot, 36 % Cabernet Sauvignon, 2 % Petit Verdot, 12.5 Vol-%, 36 hl/ ha. Intensives Bouquet, edle Cassiswürze, verführerischer Iris-Duft, Heidelbeergelee und schwarzer Pfeffer. Am strukturierten Gaumen mit seidiger Textur, engmaschigem Tanninkorsett und durchtrainiertem Körper. Im konzentrierten Finale Wildkirsche, dunkles Edelholz, Graphit und fein körnige Adstringenz. Überzeugt durch eine grandiose Präzision, kann noch zulegen."

Decanter: "HighLy concentrated, rich and dark nose, full of blackcurrant and black cherry and dark chocolate aromas. Darkly charming on the palate, the cool blue fruit is mouthwatering at first then the chalky but finely chewy tannins come to the fore, coating the mouth with touches of dark cocoa powder, liquorice, clove and cinnamon giving the fruit and savouriness. I love the detail on show, all the elements are in high definition, you really can taste each aspect. Enjoyable and captivating. First vintage with the new cellar using 63 tanks ranging in size helping with precise plot vinification in 2021. An excellent effort! Minus 20% of production this vintage."

Suckling: "A red with blackberry, blueberry and walnut character. Medium body, integrated tannins and a delicious finish. Well done for the vintage. From organically grown grapes."

Neal Martin: "The 2021 Château La Garde is now vinified in smaller inverted truncated vats and aged in one-third new oak. This has a vibrant bouquet, a mixture of red and black fruit, hints of violet coming through with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with a velvety smooth entry and moderate depth. Quite compact at first, but there is fine delineation on the finish. It will require 4–6 years in bottle. Given keen market prices, this is one to watch."

Falstaff: "Tiefdunkles Rubingranat, violette Reflexe, zarte Randaufhellung. Zarte rote Waldbeeren, floraler Touch, zart nach schwarzen Kirschen, dezente Kräuterwürze. Schlank, frisch, ein Hauch von Erdbeeren und Kirschen, dezente Tannine, lebendig, ein vielseitiger Speisenbegleiter."