Cerro Sur 2021

Andy Erickson and Annie Favia have deftly handled the drought of 2021, and although this is a relatively small and concentrated crop, it has sacrificed none of the nuance that you expect from this winemaking family. Love the aromatics curling out of the glass, beautiful gunsmoke character, and a clear textural feel to the tannins, a little chalky, allowing the grain, depth and florality to come through. Clear brightness and mint leaf through the mid palate, with blueberry and cassis fruits alongside waves of sage and cocoa bean. Wide V trellice system through the growing season that gives a lot of shade potential, and helps capture the acidity. 50% new oak for ageing, bottled unfiltered and unfined. First year back after 2019, with nothing bottled in 2020. Vines on volcanic and sandstone hillside sites just above Coombsville on the eastern side of the valley, heading into the Vaca mountains at 300m altitude.

Score: 99

Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux Maturity: 2026-2042 29 August 2024