2021 Montlabert
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Tasting notes
The 2021 Château Montlabert brings a touch more precision and focused, as well as concentration. Red and black fruits, cedar pencil, tobacco, and savory flower notes all define this rock-solid effort, and it's medium-bodied, with a balanced, elegant mouthfeel and fine tannins. An impressive 2021, it should shine for a decade. I actually find this just as compelling as the 2020.
Critic scores
Average Score
Alistair Cooper MW, jancisrobinson.com
Neal Martin
More reviews and scores
The 2021 Montlabert has a very respectable bouquet, well-defined with neatly integrated oak, mineral-tinged black fruit and hints of Earl Grey and ash. The palate is medium-bodied with slightly rigid tannins on the entry, though there is decent plummy black fruit, all interlaced with dark chocolate and allspice. Moderate in length, give this Saint-Émilion a year or two in bottle.
The 2021 Montlabert offers good density in a soft, open-knit style best suited for near- and medium-term drinking. Pipe tobacco, cedar, mint, worn-in leather and herbs fill out the layers nicely. I would prefer to drink this sooner rather than later.
Soft tannins and unfussy early to medium drinking, but this struggles to keep momentum through the mid palate. Castel owners. Last year before promotion to Grand Cru Classé.