2021 Meyney

The 2021 Château Meyney is based on 54% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34% Merlot, and 12% Petit Verdot, and it's a solid 2021 with its redcurrant, cranberry, green tobacco, and cedar pencil aromas and flavors. It's medium-bodied, has a rather lean, focused texture, ripe tannins, and solid overall balance. A classy, more old school-inspired effort from this château, it has just enough ripeness to keep it interesting and enjoyable. I followed a bottle for multiple days, and it held up admirably. This is a classic drinker to enjoy over the coming decade or so.

The 2021 Meyney, which has been on a strong run of form of late, has a lovely bouquet with vivid red berry fruit, crushed stone and orange rind scents that are focused and lively. The palate is medium-bodied with a structured opening (as you would expect), more fruit concentration than its peers and a truffle-tinged finish. This will cruise nicely over the next 15 to 20 years.

The 2021 Meyney comes across as severe in feel, light and unusually compact. Cedar, mint, spice, iron and white pepper struggle to emerge. This needs more mid-palate depth and more of a delicate hand.