2021 Vieux Chateau Palon
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Tasting notes
Oaky red and black fruits, cedar pencil, spice, and some smoky tobacco notes all emerge from the 2021 Vieux Château Palon, a medium-bodied, nicely concentrated Montagne Saint-Emilion that has good purity of fruit, ripe yet slightly firmer tannins, and solid mid-palate depth. The oak is certainly front and center, yet I love its purity of fruit, and it’s impeccably made. Give it a year or two and enjoy over the following 8-10 years.
Critic scores
Average Score
Neal Martin
Neal Martin
More reviews and scores
The 2021 Vieux Château Palon has an upfront, black plum-driven, quite oaky nose, but it lacks complexity and personality. The palate is slightly better with a keen thread of acidity, but there is something very static about this Saint-Émilion, and it drifts away toward the finish. Drink this in the near term.
The 2021 Vieux Château Palon is a dense, lush wine, within the mid-weight style of the year. Sumptuous black cherry fruit, mocha, licorice, sweet spice and espresso are front and center. All this needs is a bit more mid-palate pliancy and persistence.
Unblushingly oaky with lots of chocolate crust, hazelnut and vanilla characters on top of the dark cherries. Flavorful and long, with plenty of creamy oak spices. A more flattering rendition despite the lightly chewy tannins. 75% merlot and 25% cabernet franc. Better in 2025 when the plush oak integrates further.