Le Pape 2021 (750ML)

92-93 JS / 89-91 JD / 92 JA / 88-90 VM /

This has pretty berry and plum fruit with light orange-peel and chocolate character. Medium body with fine-grained tannins. Elegant and balanced with a focused finish. 80% merlot and 20% cabernet sauvignon. -James Suckling.

The 2021 Château Le Pape (80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon) is a charmer, with good freshness and elegance as well as the straight, focused style of the vintage. With both red and black fruits as well as some classic Graves earthy, tobacco character, it's going to keep for 10-15 years. This hit 12.5% alcohol and is still resting in 30% new barrels. -Jeb Dunnuck.

Smoked earth, slate, blueberry and redcurrant fruits, classic balance with gentle concentration and sculpted cool vintage flavours, leaning into the character of the year by ensuring sculpted juicy fruits. Excellent quality, helped by viticultural choices such as higher canopy than the past few years to encourage photosynthesis. Axel Marchal consultant. Harvest October 1 to 12. 19hl/h from frost and mildew. First vintage with the new cellar for Haut-Bailly and Le Pape. -Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux.

The 2021 Le Pape is laced with wild cherry, game, mint, licorice, spice and iron. The tannins remain a bit coarse. Otherwise, the 2021 is nicely done. This Merlot-based Pessac-Léognan will offer fine drinking over the near and medium term. -Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media.