AJ | Dark black-red though no longer opaque at the core. Earthy, fresh and pure-fruited, appetising and lively: the vintage deftly handled. A lovely cascade of fruit here, tumbling and turning in the mouth, and all of it teased to full ripeness with little of the cool-vintage chill and acid-bladed drama apparent elsewhere. This second wine is a real 2021 vin de plaisir. You don't have to wait long and it has all the Pessac-Leognan earthiness, stone and nascent fireside warmth you might want. Drink Dates: 2026 - 2033. 90
SF | Bright and deep ruby with a discrete nose; spring flowers, crushed red fruit and white pepper to the fore. Thereafter a more challenging palate, sinewy, a little stewed, notes of tobacco and petrichor somewhat intrusive as one attempts to discern a cre of fruit. Angular tannins and an abrupt finish. There appears to be little scope for development or evolution here; the wine has deprived itself of medium-term potential, even if it will surely give short term pleasure. Drink Dates: 2026 - 2030. 88