Château Grand Village, Rouge, Bordeaux Supérieur, 2021

Omri described 2021 as a "vintage of work". This is not something the Guinaudeau clan are afraid of. Few teams are as well prepared, but even for the most meticulous, nature can sometimes present new challenges. In all they encountered 10 nights that required frost protection, but on the 6th of April, they noticed that the turbines were having no affect. It turned out that a 2 Km column of cold air (that originated in Greenland) was sitting over Bordeaux. The turbines were simply sucking more cold air down into the vineyards. Thankfully it wasn’t a hard frost, so the bougies deployed amongst the vines prevented any serious loss. Omri also defines 2021 as another "multi-vintage year". The first half of summer was oceanic and presented mildew pressure. It wasn't the heaviest rain, but it was unrelenting and required a lot of "gardening". When summer finally arrived, the team worked the soils helping oxygenate the vines. Finally, 2021 provided the opportunity to make wines with lift and elegance. We probably sound like broken records, but this is yet another impeccable range of wines from the Guinaudeau family estates, particularly for Grand Village (red and white) and Les Perrieres. Several plots have been removed from Grand Village. The vineyard area has reduced from 17Ha to just 10.5Ha. By removing the more "rustic" plots, Grand Village has achieved a new level of refinement. One really feels this on the tannic profile. There's a real nobility here. Gorgeous aromatics: leafy black currant, herbs, a touch of wild hedgerow fruit, then fresh and fluid, with dark fruits, tobacco leaf and fine cool earth notes. This grows and develops in the glass. There's plenty of substance, a creamy texture, suave and elegant tannins and a refreshing saline finish. Incredibly poised for a wine at this price point. 75% Merlot and 25% Bouchet (Cabernet Franc)