Best vintage ever for Vinous:
The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Rutherford Reserve is another super-expressive wine in this range from BV. It offers up dark-toned fruit, mocha, dried herbs, gravel, incense and pipe tobacco. Medium in body and quite reserved, the 2021 needs a few years to unwind, but it certainly has a ton to offer. The 2021 is a big step up from the past, reflecting a move from an appellation-level wine to a more important bottling. The Reserve is made from vineyards on the western side of the appellation. It is essentially the second wine to the Georges de Latour.
And for Jancis Robinson:
Deep, plush crimson. Sweet start and dry, scented finish with real integrity and interest. Serious, ambitious wine that’s not ready yet but has all the elements for a long, rather glorious life.
And Suckling:
Bright and fruity with black currant, blackberry, boysenberry and black licorice notes, but not overdone. Full-bodied with tension from tannins that nicely frame the wine. Firm, bright and focused, even racy. Drinking so well now but will age beautifully.
