Chateau Le Boscq 2021

Complex nose, mineral-driven, blackcurrant, cherries, floral notes. Juicy, fresh palate, well-structured, very fine tannins, shows breed and elegance, long-lasting finish. Successful!

Shows a woodsy hint out front, with singed alder and cedar holding sway over black currant fruit, while a tangy sanguine thread runs through the finish. Offers freshness, but you have to like St.-Estèphe austerity and have some patience. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2025 through 2031. 7,833 cases made, 125 cases imported.

Perfumed and potent on the nose, clearly ripe and concentrated. Smooth and silky, quite lean and streamlined, not so textured, more grippy with bite and tang rather than plush and textured. It's direct—staying with the core—but well defined and refined. Nothing out of place. Great purity, really well executed and lots to enjoy here. Mouthwatering acidity with cool elements as well as soft, juicy creaminess, like tasting light strawberry juice. Delicate but enjoyable. Great acidity, easy to like with touches of terroir. Tannins still on show but they'll soften.

Gravel, citrus rind, spices, olives and currants on the nose. It’s medium-bodied, savory and balanced with medium-firm, creamy tannins. Nicely composed. 50% cabernet sauvignon, 42% merlot, 6% petit verdot and 2% cabernet franc. Drink from 2025.

Tasted blind. Deep crimson. Austere, just not enough fruit. More 2021 than St-Estèphe. Stringy finish. (JR)

The 2021 Le Boscq is the first vintage under the ownership of Dourthe (before, it was a long-term fermage). It reveals attractive scents of blackberry, raspberry coulis, black pepper and cedar, with just a touch of mint in the background. Medium-bodied, it has a well-balanced palate with a fleshy entry, while a dash of cracked black pepper mixed with pencil shavings defines the finish. Give this three to four years in bottle—this is a promising Saint-Estèphe.

Blackberries, spice, tobacco leaf, cherries, currants and flowers pop in the nose. The palate is even better with all of its chewy, fresh, black and red fruits, peppery spice, and leafy, savory accents. Drink from 2024-2038.

Dark garnet fading to purple at the rim. Floral with hints of ripe plums and black cherries, orange zest. Medium-bodied blackberry fruit, vivid tannins, a touch of nougat, mineral; will benefit from bottle age.

Earthy tobacco, darker currants, plum, graphite, and sappy floral/herbal notes emerge from the 2021 Château Le Boscq, a rich, medium-bodied, nicely concentrated Saint-Estèphe that has ripe, polished tannins and a fleshy, full, layered mouthfeel. It's a touch rustic aromatically but is rock-solid on the palate.

50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 42% Merlot, 6% Petit Verdot, 2% Cabernet Franc, 47 hl/ha. Extravagant black-fruit bouquet, heart cherry, beguiling violet perfume, cigar box and blackcurrant drops. On the palate, compact and very linear, with a finely austere texture, powdery extract richness, a wiry body clad with dense muscle strands, and a hearty grip. In the concentrated finish, the St. Estèphe closes in, showing macerated plum skin, a full load of dark graphite and a crumbly astringency. A St. Estèphe with lots of personality; it impresses me “only” at first glance. Rounded up.

Kunz barrel sample 2022: (50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 42% Merlot, 6% Petit Verdot, 2% Cabernet Franc) silky, medium-bodied bouquet, blackberry jelly, fresh herbs, mocha, tobacco. Silky, refined palate with fresh fruit, good tannins, dense structure, powerful aromatics, long, aromatic finish.

(50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 42% Merlot, 6% Petit Verdot, 2% Cabernet Franc) Velvety, medium-bodied bouquet, blackberry jelly, fresh herbs, mocha, tobacco. More velvety, refined palate with fresh fruit, good tannins, dense structure, powerful aromatics, long, aromatic finish. 17/20 2027 - 2048

Vibrant plum colour, with distinct floral aromatics on the nose. Juicy, mouthwatering finish, a smoky touch, and bright dark spice. Well located next to the Estuary so no frost here, meaning a normal yield. One to look out for within the vintage for medium-term easy drinking. Single point upscore. Moving towards organic at this stage, with 2023 being the first official year of conversion.

Aromas of dark fruit dominate on the nose, with pronounced notes of vanilla. On the palate, the wine is sophisticated, flavorful, saline, with a slate-driven minerality.

Le Boscq reveals itself with subtlety and relevance. Cabernet Sauvignon leads the wine, ideally supported by Merlot. Together, they provide tension, muscle, and charm. The wine has body, power, density, and vigor. Its tannins provide perfect backing and offer valuable potential. Once again, Le Boscq impresses with its ability to shine through its power, density, and character while highlighting its freshness and sapidity. What a great success!

An inky, brilliant color announces a nose expressing very ripe cabernets (50%), complemented by merlot, petit verdot and cabernet franc. It stands out for its balanced fruity palette and juicy texture, with winemaking and aging that clearly respect the fruit. A safe bet. Undeniably enjoyable.