2021 Bordeaux: A Blast from the Past

The toughest vintage this century evokes a comparison with the lackluster wines of the 1970s

The vineyards of Château Léoville Las Cases in St.-Julien, Bordeaux, France
St.-Julien second-growth Château Léoville Las Cases is one of the few Bordeaux estates to find success in the challenging 2021 vintage. (Deepix Studio)

2021 was a particularly difficult vintage for Bordeaux, with heavy rainfall throughout the growing season, detrimental spring frosts and a summer that stayed chill through the harvest. Yet there are still diamonds in the rough to be found from the Right Bank, Left Bank and Barsac/Sauternes. Médoc, St.-Julien and beyond yielded standout wines from top wineries such as Léoville Las Cases, Lynch Bages and Pichon Baron. Read senior editor James Molesworth’s tasting report for scores and tasting notes!

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