2021 Deyrem-Valentin
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Tasting notes
Empty bottle 410 g. 83% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot, 2% Petit Verdot. The average age of the vines is 35 years, and the estate is planted on a deep sand-gravel aggregate. Vinification in thermo-regulated vats. The process included offloading, which pumps the fermenting grape must into another vat, thus allowing the pomace to be crushed in the vat. The must was then pumped back over the pomace. This operation was carried out twice a day during alcoholic fermentation which took place at 26–28 °C. Malolactic conversion n the vat before an initial blending and racking into barrels. The wine was aged for 12–16 months in oak barrels, 70% of which were new and 30% second-fill. The final blending was then carried out before bottling. Winemaker Christelle Sorge. Natural cork. TA 3.5 g/l, pH 3.68, RS 1.2 g/l. Vegan. Exclusive to Waitrose. Available in over 200 shops. Plenty of heft but dominated (at the moment) by lashings of new oak. Perhaps the winemaker wanted to compensate for the lighter, less concentrated style of this vintage by adding loads of oak weight. But it’s not very subtle – grippy and with sturdy tannins. At least there is purity on the palate. (AWH)
Critic scores
Average Score
Jancis Robinson MW
Neal Martin
More reviews and scores
The 2021 Château Deyrem Valentin is rock-solid in the vintage and has spicy red and black fruits interwoven with hints of new leather, camphor, and vanilla. It's medium-bodied, has a supple, elegant mouthfeel, some savory tannins, and a good finish. Give it a year or three to integrate its oak, and it should drink nicely through 2033.
The 2021 Deyrem Valentin should be considered a success for the vintage. It has a loamy bouquet that complements the black fruit and hints of dark chocolate—not powerful yet nicely defined, almost Saint-Julien like in style. The palate is medium-bodied with black plummy fruit and (again) a touch of dark chocolate. There is a patina of oak to be assimilated toward the fresh finish, so give this Margaux another couple of years in bottle.
Enticing aromatics on the nose, fennel and grilled almond curls, followed by savoury cassis and bilberry fruit. Plenty of tannic grip and lift, an enjoyable wine that manages to deliver ripe fruit without overly austere tannins, good for drinking over next 10 to 15 years. Hubert de Bouard consultant since 2016 vintage. 40% new oak for ageing. Owner Jean Sorge working with his daughter Christelle Sorge as technical director. One point upscore, one to look out for.