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Before we get to today’s releases, we’re pleased to share our 2021 Bordeaux Report - click here to read it now.

 

On to today’s releases - as First Growths go, Château Margaux is certainly the grandest of the chateaux in the Médoc, but looks aside, it also produces magnificent wines. Today they have released their 2021 vintage, described as 'surprisingly plush' and 'very Margaux-like Château Margaux' by Neal Martin. Château Margaux is one of the original Premier Cru Classé properties of 1855, and one of the grandest, most imposing châteaux in the Médoc. Viticulture has been practiced on the estate for several centuries. Margaux was revitalized in 1978 after being bought by the Greek family of Mentzenopoulos, and is currently owned by the daughter Corinne. For more than two decades the wine making was done by the gifted Paul Pontallier, who passed away in 2016, and who is credited for making significant improvements to the wines. Winemaking is now overseen by Philippe Bascaules, who worked alongside Pontallier for 21 years, and the run of incredible wines has continued. The 2021 certainly was gorgeous when our tasting team sampled it. The better wines of 2021 are charming, with great freshness and intensity of fruit - well Margaux has that in buckets, with all the underlying structure, richness and length you'd expect from a great vintage of this iconic wine.

 

From Pessac Leognan, Chateau Haut-Bailly is also out today, a property that has been on an incredible run of form producing wines that compete with the very best in Bordeaux. The late Chateau owner, Robert Wilmers, had given winemaker Véronique Sanders, a descendent of previous owners, carte blanche to do whatever is necessary to achieve perfection. This has continued under his son Chris Wilmers, including the recent construction of a new state-of-the-art winery. From the 100-pt 2010 vintage onwards they’ve crafted magnificent wines that set a new benchmark for quality.

 

On the right bank we have a selection of top properties starting with Pomerol, including a "succulent and lively” 97-98 point L'Eglise Clinet, and one of our Standout Mid-Range Wines, the 92-94 point Guillot Clauzel, managed by Vieux Château Certan's Guillaume Thienpont and that Wine Advocate called "one of the few remaining values in the universe of high-quality Pomerol."

 

Finally from St Emilion comes the 95-96 point L'If that’s "super-impressive right out of the gate" from Jacques Thienpont of Le Pin, and a 94-96 point Clos Fourtet that "is very clearly one of the wines of the vintage.”

 

Don't miss this opportunity to secure your stock at the opening prices.

 

Our 2021 Futures Landing Page includes our Wines of the Vintage, and is updated with new wines daily, and we'll continue sending offers on the most compelling wines as they are released...stay tuned!

 

“The top properties turned out gorgeous, classically built wines that will absolutely thrill readers who appreciate freshness and energy…The best wines offer a striking combination of old-school classicism with modern-day precision.” - Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media

 
 

2021 Margaux (Margaux)

97-98 JS / 97 DE / 95-97+ WA / 95-97 WI / 95-97 JD / 95-97 VM / 95 JA

 

A dark nose, serious and a bit closed, though there is such complexity on the palate. You get the tannic feel in the mouth straight away, mouthfilling, ample, generous and chewy - these tannins have weight and density but are lifted by the bright, high-definition cherry, strawberry and raspberry acidity underneath keeping things vibrant and fresh with a sour cherry and stoney minerality on the finish. Exceptional balance and sculpting, this has energy but also poise. Sophisticated glamour in full force, svelte and suave - this is a wine that aims to please. Definitely one of the most thrilling and captivating wines of the vintage! 2% Cabernet Franc completes the blend. 36% grand vin. - Georgina Hindle, Decanter

 

$564.98 ea. 750ml | Future | BUY NOW 

 

See our full list of Margaux >

 

 
 
2021 Pavillon Rouge Du Chateau Margaux (Margaux)
94-95 JS / 94+ WI / 92-94 JD / 93DE / 91-93 WA / 91-93 VM / 92 JA

 

$185.49 ea. 750ml | Future | BUY NOW

 

 
 
2021 L'Eglise Clinet (Pomerol)
97-98 JS / 96 DE / 94-96 VM / 93-96 WA / 95 JA / 93-95 JD

 

A deep, serious wine, the 2021 L'Eglise Clinet unwinds in the glass with notions of wild berries and plums mingled with dark chocolate, sweet loamy soil, warm spices, violets and black truffle. Full-bodied, concentrated and muscular, it's rich and layered, with a concentrated core of fruit, lively acids and plenty of ripe, powdery tannin that nods to its origins in a sector of Pomerol capable of producing some of the appellation's most structured, long-lived wines. It's a blend of 85% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Franc. - William Kelley, Wine Advocate

 

$278.79 ea. 750ml | Future | BUY NOW 

 

See our full list of L'Eglise Clinet >

 

 
 
2021 L'If (Saint Emilion)

95-96 JS / 94-96 VM / 93-95 JB / 92-94+ WA / 93 DE

 

The 2021 L'If is super-impressive right out of the gate. A high percentage of Cabernet Franc (21%) along with the introduction of 400-liter barrels yields an If that is marked by a striking interplay of richness and breadth allied to a palpable sense of energy. Dark cherry, cloves, leather, crushed rocks, rose petal and blood orange are some of the myriad aromas and flavors that develop with a little coaxing. The 2021 is a deeply intriguing wine. I can't wait to see how it ages. Tasted two times. - Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media

 

$172.98 ea. 750ml | 5% Off Cases (or 9L total): $164.33 ea.

Future | BUY NOW

 

See our full list of L'If > 

 

 
 
2021 Haut Bailly (Pessac Leognan)
95-96 JS / 94-96 VM / 95 JA / 95 DE / 94-95+ WA / 93-95+ JD / 92-94+ WI

 

Impresses from the first moment with its enveloping nose, and purity of flavour. Plenty of estate signature, with finely grained tannins and creamy black fruit that is concentrated with density through the mid palate but not opulent, delivering cocoa bean, slate, cassis and gunsmoke personality and poise. One of the few where I can really see the comparison to 1996, or perhaps 2000, with firm tannins that are subdued but with clear ageing potential. An excellent Haut-Bailly, with a small 19hl/h yield, meaning that in this first year with the new cellar they used just 20 of the smallest size vats (out of 50 in total). Harvest September 27 to October 11. Axel Marhal consultant. - Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux

 

$131.09 ea. 750ml | Future | BUY NOW 

 

See our full list of Haut Bailly >

 

 
 

2021 Clos Fourtet (Saint Emilion)

94-96 VM / 93-95 WA / 93-95 JD / 93-94 JS / 93 JA / 93 DE / 91-93+ WI

 

The 2021 Clos Fourtet is very clearly one of the wines of the vintage on the Right Bank. Towering in its stature, the 2021 is a regal wine endowed with tremendous energy and vibrancy. This classically austere Saint-Émilion oozes class from the very first taste. Blue/purplish fruit, spice, lavender and menthol are some of the aromas and flavors that build into the resonant, deeply pitched finish. What a wine. - Antonio Gallino, Vinous Media

 

$107.79 ea. 750ml | Future | BUY NOW

 

See our full list of Clos Fourtet >

 

 
 
2021 Guillot Clauzel (Pomerol)
GVWM Standout Mid-Range Wine
92-94 WA / 92-94 VM / 92-93 JS

 

Managed by Vieux Château Certan's Guillaume Thienpont since 2018, this 2.5-hectare Pomerol estate has delivered a fine performance with the 2021 Guillot Clauzel. Exhibiting aromas of rose petals, sweet spices, smoke, red cherries and berries, it's medium to full-bodied, supple and fleshy, with a good core of fruit, supple tannins and a penetrating finish. A blend of some 20% Cabernet Franc and 80% Merlot, it's one of the few remaining values in the universe of high-quality Pomerol. - William kelley, Wine Advocate

 

$91.98 ea. 750ml | 5% Off Full Cases (or 9L total): $87.38 ea.

Future | BUY NOW

  

 
 
 

2% discount for orders placed with a wire or personal check.* Please click here to send us your order via our contact page, or call 360.350.4896 and we will be glad to assist you. (*Minimum order of $1000 for domestic wire, or $5000 for international wire. No minimum for personal check. For wines eligible for 5% case/9L discounts, maximum discount is 5%.) 

 

Interested in a wine not on our website, or in placing a non-committed pre-order for particular 2021 Bordeaux? Click here to send us your list and we will advise as soon as the wines are available.

 

BOTTLING CHARGES FOR OTHER FORMATS Please note: Most Chateaux will be able to bottle your orders in the below formats. Click here or call +360.350.4896 if you are interested in any of the following options and they are not listed on our website:

 

375 ML - 12 x 750ml price + $40.00 per case (min. order of 24 x 375ml) 

1.5 L - 12 x 750ml price + $36 per case (min. order of 6 x 1.5L)

3.0 L - 4 x 750ml price + $70 each | 6.0 L - 8 x 750ml price + $110 each

9.0 L - 12 x 750ml price + $180 each | 12.0 L - 16 x 750ml price + $210 each

15.0 L - 24 x 750ml price + $275 each | 18.0 L - 20 x 750ml price + $325 each 

 
 
 
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Grand Vin Wine Merchants · 2950 32nd Ave SW · Suite A · Tumwater, Washington 98512 · United States (360) 350-4896