Château du Bousquet

Côtes de Bourg

Côtes de Bourg, Bordeaux

2021

Vintage

Varietal

Bordeaux Red Blend

Peak 2026-2032

Where it is, October 2026

At Peak: inside the peak window (2026-2032), within the full drinking arc.

In 2026, this Côtes de Bourg is at peak, with the strongest window running through 2032. The bottle's center is dark fruit, with vanilla around it, so the drinking decision is less about raw age and more about whether the serious, chewy tannins have settled into the full-bodied build. Drink confidently: the fresh acidity keeps the finish awake, while the recorded window says there is no need to rush unless the bottle is already mature in storage. Keep service calm and food-focused, because this is at peak rather than a purely primary fruit wine.

More wines like this

The ‘21 Côtes de Bourg.

2021 Côtes de Bourg: dark fruit with serious tannins, fresh acidity, and at-peak timing for 2026.

Cellared Ageability Index (CAI) drinking timeline

Full drinking arcYou are here · at peak, 2026

Storage and bottle condition can shift the experience.

Full drinking arc 2024-2036Peak window 2026-2032

The peak window sits inside the broader full drinking arc.

Tasting note

Expect a clear Bordeaux color moving from ruby toward garnet, with the depth shaped by its full-bodied build. The nose starts with dark fruit, then turns toward vanilla, giving the wine more contour than simple fruit sweetness. On the palate, serious, chewy tannins set the frame and fresh acidity keeps the middle from feeling heavy. The fruit profile stays faithful to the source note: no tropical gloss, no invented floral fireworks, just a focused red or dark-fruit core with savory Bordeaux accents. The finish should carry the wine's structural signature, either through cedar and tobacco, a stony edge, or a clean licorice-spice echo. Serve it as a table wine with air and food, not as a stand-alone cocktail glass.

The 2021 vintage

The 2021 Bordeaux vintage was marked by severe spring frost, heavy early-summer rain, cool July and August weather, and a warmer September that rescued the final stretch. For Côtes de Bourg, this points toward a fresher, earlier-maturing style with red-fruit clarity rather than blockbuster weight. the bottle's own tasting note remains the limit for flavor claims.

About Château du Bousquet

Côtes de Bourg fruit, serious, chewy tannins, fresh acidity, and the vanilla details that keep the wine recognizably Bordeaux. The signature is not presented as grand-chateau mythology. It is a practical house expression built around Bordeaux Red Blend, a full-bodied build, and a finish that asks for food. dark fruit for the fruit lane, vanilla for the savory lane, and a drinking window that rewards measured cellaring rather than hype.

From the cellar: pair with

Grilled hanger steak with shallot butter

Serious, chewy tannins meet the steak's char, while dark fruit keeps the pairing from turning austere.

Duck confit with lentils

Fresh acidity cuts through the duck fat, and the wine's vanilla notes echo the lentils.

Mushroom farro with thyme

The full-bodied build has enough weight for grains, while vanilla and serious, chewy tannins hold the earthy finish together.

Service & cellaring

Serving Temp: 60-64F (16-18C)
Decanting: In 2026, decant 45 to 75 minutes so the fruit, cedar and tannin line up before serving.
Cellar Storage: 55F (13C), 60-70% humidity, bottle on its side.

Track this bottle Read this guide

Frequently Asked

When should I drink 2021 Château du Bousquet Côtes de Bourg?

The canonical CAI full drinking arc is 2024-2036. Within that arc, the peak window is 2026-2032. The full arc is the broader period the wine may drink well; the peak window is when it is most likely to show its best balance. Storage, fill level, cork condition, and preference can shift the decision. Taste before adding more air or holding the rest.

How long should I decant it in 2026?

In 2026, decant 45 to 75 minutes so the fruit, cedar and tannin line up before serving. The goal is to let serious, chewy tannins and vanilla relax without stripping away the dark fruit. Taste once when opened, then again at the suggested mark; if the wine already feels soft, move it to the table rather than chasing more air.

What food works best with this bottle?

Choose food with enough protein, fat or umami to meet the wine's structure. The best pairings use serious, chewy tannins, fresh acidity and full-bodied build as the guide: grilled beef for grip, duck or lamb for savory depth, and mushrooms or lentils when the bottle leans toward tobacco, cedar or earth.

What should I compare it with on Cellared?

Start with the broader Bordeaux hub, then compare the Bordeaux Red Blend lane for similar structure. For a sibling Bordeaux page, use Château Tour de Marbuzet Saint-Estephe;