Château La Louvière 2021

Restrained, some tobacco, herbs, subdued cherry fruit. Taut palate, prominent, slightly drying tannins, light body, relatively short finish.

Offers a modestly weighted mix of red and black currant fruit, mixed with hints of warm earth and tobacco and woven with a fine-grained cedary accent on the finish. Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Drink now through 2028. 9,100 cases made, 300 cases imported.

Lovely perfumed berry nose. Juicy and bright on the palate, this has a sense of joy to it and although the tannins come in and dominate the palate in terms of chewy texture the fruit has persistence and determination giving slightly sour cherry, strawberry and tangy raspberry the whole way through. I love the upfront nature here, the terroir on show in the glass, and the chalky tannins provide the support which will soften over time. Skilled winemaking on show.

This shows notes of blackberry fruit, bark, mushrooms and grilled herbs. It’s medium-bodied, sleek and savory with fine-grained tannins and bright acidity. Excellent balance. Cabernet sauvignon and merlot. Drink after 2024.

65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot. Very dark crimson. This shows, unusually, ripe black fruit. Darkly fragrant, darkly dry. Lean but surprisingly elegant. Fresh, dry but not for hedonists. (JH)

The 2021 La Louvière just lacks a bit of presence on the nose, though it is well defined with attractive sous-bois-tinged black fruit, tobacco and pencil box. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy black fruit and fine acidity, quite tensile even if it lacks amplitude toward the finish. Drink it over the next 15–20 years.

Black currants, tobacco, savory herbs and cigar box aromas pop from the glass. On the palate, the medium-bodied wine is vibrant, fresh and energetic, with a savory edge and olive accents that show in the elegant, albeit dusty finish. Drink from 2024-2040.

Dark ruby with purple hues on the rim. Delicate vanilla and lime notes along with dark wild berries, nougat and a touch of noble wood. Medium-bodied, dark cherry fruit, integrated tannins, lightly savoury, open and fresh; a versatile food companion.

From a great estate in the Péssac-Léognan appellation, the 2021 Château La Louvière reveals a vivid ruby/plum hue as well as solid aromatics of red and black fruits, sappy flowers, and tobacco, with an almost limestone-like sense of chalky minerality. It's medium-bodied, beautifully balanced, has a focused, elegant mouthfeel, and outstanding length. It will keep for two decades.

Kunz barrel sample 2022: (65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, 35 hl/ha, 13% vol. alcohol, production 120,000 bottles) Floral, silky bouquet, red and blue berries, herbs, mint, mocha. Fine, fragrant palate with delicate fruit, good tannins, slender structure, powerful, fresh aromatics, delicately bitter finish.

(65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, 35 hl/ha, 13% vol. alcohol, production 120,000 bottles) Floral, silky bouquet, red and blue berries, herbs, mint, mocha. Fine, fragrant palate with delicate fruit, good tannins, an elegant structure, powerful, fresh aromatics, slightly bitter finish. 17/20 2027 - 2042

Savoury, lean, just on the right side of ripe, the extraction has been handled with skill, gentle and measured, and there is plenty to enjoy in its blueberry and sage expression. However, it lacks expansion through the mid-palate even after barrel ageing, and is one for the medium term. Integral vinification (20% of total volume) in a mix of 225L and 500L oak barrels and terracotta amphoras, 45% new oak.

La Louviere 2021 has a medium garnet-purple color. It skips out of the glass with vivacious notes of black and red cherries, redcurrant preserves, and menthol, plus touches of peonies and cracked black pepper. Medium-bodied, the palate is crunchy and lively, with soft tannins and finishing with a real skip in its step.

On the nose, generous aromas of dark fruits, such as blackberry, dominate at first, before giving way to notes of cedar and wild berry coulis. On the palate, dark flavors—black as graphite—accompanied by a silky fluidity.

The 2021 chiefly signals freshness through shades of red berries. With a slender character, the wine has embraced all the advantages that a vintage like 2021 brings: freshness, finesse, lightness… and it suits it perfectly. A delicious wine!

The nose is fruity, fresh, and fruit-forward. It reveals notes of pulpy blackcurrant, vibrant raspberry, and, more subtly, crushed red berries, joined by fine touches of racy minerality, graphite, fresh nutmeg, as well as a subtle hint of star anise and sweet spices. The palate is fruity and offers juiciness, minerality, a delicate acidic backbone, finesse in its tension, and a fine linear edge. On the palate, this wine expresses notes of fresh/pulpy raspberry, blackcurrant, and, more lightly, fresh red berries, combined with hints of racy minerality/fresh gravel, as well as a subtle touch of fresh nutmeg, toasty nuances, and a nearly peppery hint. The tannins are fine and supple. Good length.

Dark, purple color. Moderately aromatic, fruity nose. Delicate, flavorful palate that becomes a touch lively, yet also shows lingering oakiness. Medium body and length.

This estate, owned by the Lurton family, was first planted with vines in the 13th century. The blend of 55% Merlot and 45% Cabernet Sauvignon gives ripe black-currant flavors as well as juicy acidity. Spice comes from the wood aging for 12 months. Drink from 2027.