Vintage Character Anseillan 2021 is a Pauillac red from a difficult, rain-heavy season. The cooler, clay-rich plots ripened unevenly, and the team waited until 28 September to pick the latest Merlot. The result is a 100% Merlot bottling, with a century-old vine parcel adding balance. The vintage shows a fresh, supple profile that follows that year's weather and the choices made in the vineyard.
Tasting Profile & Food Pairing Dark plum, blackcurrant and red berry notes sit with gentle cedar and savoury tones around the fruit. The palate is built on fruit, freshness and supple, balanced tannin, and the finish is long and poised rather than heavy. Try it with roast lamb, mushroom and herb risotto, or duck with a restrained jus; each has enough depth without hiding the freshness of the fruit.
Winery Background Anseillan is a plot on the Lafite Rothschild estate in Pauillac. Its northern exposure and greater clay content make it cooler and later-ripening than Lafite's classic gravel terroirs. The wine is aged in French oak after fermentation. In 2021, careful selection mattered: an under-ripe parcel was left out, and the final wine relies entirely on Merlot. That makes this release distinctive within the Anseillan range.