2021 Château La Garde – Pessac‑Léognan

Aroma - Pure, lifted and classically Graves: blackcurrant, red plum and blueberry, layered with graphite, cedar, crushed stones and a gentle smoky note. Subtle hints of violet, tobacco leaf and cocoa nib.

Palate - Medium‑bodied, fresh and beautifully balanced. The fruit is cool‑toned and precise — cassis, plum skin, redcurrant — wrapped in fine, linear tannins. The hallmark Pessac savouriness comes through with graphite, pencil shavings and a touch of earthy spice. Oak is polished and discreet. Elegant, refined and mineral‑driven. Bright acidity, moderate alcohol and a clean, architectural frame. This is a vintage that favours finesse over power, and La Garde handles it superbly.

Finish - Long, stony and persistent, with lingering cassis, cedar and a whisper of smoke.

A beautifully classical Pessac‑Léognan from a cooler vintage. Fresh, mineral and cassis‑led, with fine tannins and a refined smoky‑graphite edge. Stylish, food‑friendly claret with real Left Bank poise.