For the 2021 Château Clos de Boüard, Montagne-Saint-Émilion, the professional reception is quite solid, with scores generally in the high-80s to low-90s.
Professional ratings
Overall assessment
I'd characterize the 2021 as a very good, classic-leaning Montagne-Saint-Émilion rather than a blockbuster. The consensus centers on dark/red berries, cherry, blueberry, floral notes, spice, moderate concentration, fresh acidity and firm but precise tannins. Several critics specifically point to the wine needing some time to open up.
The interesting part is the spread from 86 to 93, which suggests some variation in critic preference: the more favorable reviewers see precision, freshness and terroir expression, while the lower score emphasizes its need for development and somewhat restrained character.
For a magnum: that's actually a favorable format for this vintage. The larger bottle should generally evolve more slowly than a 750 ml, making it a particularly attractive format if you're planning to hold it.
My professional-consensus score: approximately 90–91/100, with 92–93 upside from the more enthusiastic critics.
