CHÂTEAU LES GRANDES MURAILLES

Majoring on raspberry and wild strawberry fruits, clear limestone signature, sappy and with lift through the finish, a little soft through the mid palate but totally charming with a grilled dried herb and fennel finish. As of 2022, this wine is to be included within Clos Fourtet, giving it an interest for collectors. Not tasted En Primeur. Drinking range: 2026 - 2040 Rating: 91 Jane Anson, Decanter (Mar 2024)

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. Drinking range: 2026 - 2038 Rating: 91 Antonio Galloni, www.vinous.com (Feb 2024)

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. Drinking range: 2027 - 2042 Rating: 92 Neal Martin, www.vinous.com (Feb 2024)