LA PETITE ÉGLISE

90 Merlot, 10 Cabernet Franc | 60% new oak | 14% alc | 7000 bottles were produced | Merlot was picked on 28 September and Cabernet Franc was picked on 29 September They lost no crop from frost or mildew, and while it was rainy, there was a “balance change” in the Cabernet Franc and Merlot between the skin and juice, allowing Cabernet Franc to become so much more expressive than it usually is. While Merlot was ripe, it was also slightly more fragile than Cabernet Franc, so they bled the tanks up to 20%, and the results are clearly fabulous. La Petit Eglise is a superstar in 2021, and it has superb tension and fantastic concentration. Every single berry was harvested before the rain, and this shows in the depth of colour and also the density of flavour. The finish is sublime – fresh, clean, scratchy and active but not drying or too hard. This is an amazing wine, and I had to keep reminding myself it was a ‘second’ because the tasting experience was so exciting! Rating: 17.5+ Matthew Jukes www.matthewjukes.com (Jun 2022)

A touch of gun smoke reduction on the opening beats, showcasing cloves, spice, raspberry, beautifully precise and well constructed fruits. Not luscious in the usual Pomerol way but with estate signature and subtly moreish. Harvest September 28 to 29, with 60% new oak (a little more than usual but will be used for less time). No chaptalisation. One less plot of Cabernet Franc this year, as it was used in L'Eglise Clinet. Noémie Durantou-Reilhac winemaker. Drinking range: 2025 - 2036 Rating: 91 Jane Anson, www.janeanson.com (May 2022)

The 2021 La Petite Eglise was picked September 28–29 and raised in 60% new oak. It has a pretty, floral bouquet that is, as usual, a little more expressive than the Grand Vin at this stage. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins, taut at first though offering finely tuned, tart red fruit on the finish. Just give it a couple of years in bottle. (14.0% alcohol) Drinking range: 2026 - 2036 Rating: 90-92 Neal Martin, www.vinous.com (May 2022)

The 2021 La Petite Eglise is bright and nicely focused, with lovely energy to match its mid-weight personality. Sweet dark cherry, plum, cinnamon, leather, menthol, licorice and pipe tobacco come together in the glass. The 2021 is an easygoing Petite Eglise that will drink well with minimal cellaring. The Petite Eglise is all Merlot this year, now that a parcel of Franc that once was used for the blend has acquired the requisite age to be promoted into use for the Grand Vin. Drinking range: 2026 - 2041 Rating: 90-92 Antonio Galloni, www.vinous.com (May 2022)

A blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc, the 2021 La Petite Eglise opens in the glass with aromas of dark berries, licorice, loamy soil and black truffle. It's medium to full-bodied, concentrated and tensile, with terrific depth at the core and a long, saline finish, Rating: 89-91 William Kelley, The Wine Advocate (May 2022)