2021 Grandes Murailles 6 Pack

93 POINTS

Neal Martin - Vinous

The 2021 Les Grandes Murailles was not affected by frost thanks to wax candles. Matured in 50% new oak, it has a fragrant bouquet with blackberry and raspberry, wilted rose petal and a touch of gravel. The palate is medium-bodied with strict tannins, fresh with ample salinity, modest depth and a smooth, cohesive finish. Not a powerful Les Grandes Murailles, yet stylish and with plenty of character. 13.5% alcohol Points: 92-94

92 POINTS

Neal Martin - Vinous

The 2021 Les Grandes Murailles has an intriguing and complex bouquet, slightly feral in style compared to its peers, revealing baked cherries, loam and meat juices—almost Rhône-like! The palate is medium-bodied with a pliant entry, again, a more fleshy Saint-Émilion compared to others, with fine acidity and a dash of white pepper and clove toward the finish. This is thoroughly enjoyable and should give wine lovers 15-20 years of drinking pleasure.

92 POINTS

James Suckling

Aromas of currants, blackberries, dark chocolate and black truffles. Medium body, firm and chewy with plenty of tannin backbone. Spice, pepper and hints of black tobacco. Solid finish. Needs three or four years to soften. Best after 2025.

92 POINTS

Georgina Hindle - Decanter

The most gorgeous smoky, salty, ripe, sweet, fruity nuances on the nose - what aromatic complexity here! Succulent and juicy, still with quite a high toned edge to the fruit, just the right side of austerity with the pencil lead and graphite edge to the tannins. I like the power and concentration alongside the tension that gives it focus and makes it little bit hard to taste right now - but this is well made with bounce, push and sophisticated charm. Definitely a dark savoury style, black fruited, showing the muscle and might of Merlot that made it through the year. Ageing will work well here. 3.45pH. A yield of 38hL/ha. Tasted three times.

92 POINTS

Antonio Galloni MW - Vinous

The 2021 Les Grandes Murailles is terrific. Open and resonant in the glass, the 2021 offers a beguiling mix of red/purplish fruit, rose petal, lavender, sage and mint, with veins of salinity that lend energy as well as direction. It's all about nuance here. As is so often the case, Les Grandes Murailles captures many of the signatures of the more famous wines on the Saint-Émilion plateau, but in miniature. Points: 91-93

91 POINTS

William Kelley - Robert Parker Wine Advocate

What turned out to be the last vintage produced from this two-hectare parcel just outside the village of Saint-Émilion, which has now been incorporated into Clos Fourtet, the 2021 Grandes Murailles exhibits aromas of cherries, minty red berries, spices and pencil shavings, followed by a medium to full-bodied, ample and fleshy palate built around powdery tannins and tangy acids.

91 POINTS

William Kelley - Robert Parker Wine Advocate

A definite overperformer, the 2021 Grandes Murailles has turned out beautifully this year. Offering up aromas of dark berries, red plums, orange zest, rose petals and truffle, it's medium to full-bodied, supple and fleshy, with a layered core of fruit, powdery tannins and lively acids, concluding with a floral finish. It's 100% Merlot from a two-hectare parcel just outside the village of Saint-Émilion.

91 POINTS

Antonio Galloni MW - Vinous

The 2021 Les Grandes Murailles is a fine effort in this vintage, its last before being incorporated into Clos Fourtet with the 2022 Saint-Émilion classification. Dark and brooding, with persistent tannins, the 2021 is going to need a few years to soften. The 2021 is an especially somber Grandes Murailles, but it does have good energy and plenty of style. Lavender, mocha and crème de cassis linger. It will be interesting to see if the tannins soften.