Primeur 2022: More than 80 Pomerol's tasted

2022 Clos des Amandiers

Ruby. Dark fruits, anise, some spices nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, red fruits, leaner. 85-87

 

2022 Château Beauregard

Ruby. Ripe raspberries, anise, spices, fruit driven nose, intense. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, some spices, herbal note, liquorice, long finish. Bit jammy. 90-92

 

2022 Clos Bel Air

Ruby. Blackberries, liquorice, some spices and vanilla notes nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, red fruits, anise, some liquorice, leaner finish. 86-88

 

2022 Château Bellegrave

Ruby. Dark fruits and herbs nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, anise, spices, textured, good length. 87-89

 

2022 Le Clos du Beau-Pere

Ruby. Scented, blackberries, fruit driven, nuanced nose, scented. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, juicy, red fruits, some spices, nuanced, long finish. Refined. 90-92

 

2022 Château Clos Beausejour

Ruby. Blackberries, anise, fruit driven, nuanced nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, lifted, fruit driven, juicy, good length. 88-90

 

2022 Château le Bon Pasteur

Ruby. Herbs, blackberries, coffee, jammy nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, anise, some spices, firmer, long finish. 90-92

 

2022 Château Bonalgue

Ruby. Blackberries, anise, dark fruits, liquorice nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, fruit driven, juicy, long finish. 90-92

 

2022 Château Bourgneuf

Ruby. Blackberries, anise, dark fruits, spices, faint minty touch nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, anise, spices, dark fruits, liquorice, leaner finish. 90-92

 

2022 Château La Cabanne

Ruby. Blackberries, ripe dark fruits, some spices and vanilla notes nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, anise, spices, liquorice, detailed and long. 91-93

 

2022 Château Le Caillou

Ruby. Blackberries, anise, dark fruits nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, juicy, elegant texture, good length. 88-90

 

2022 Château Cantereau

Ruby. Boiled fruits, lacks life. Leaner palate, almost volatile.

 

2022 Château Certan de May

Ruby. Dark fruits, anise, liquorice, blackberries, scented, nuanced and layered nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, juicy, spices, blackberries, intense and somewhat rich, especially for Certan de May.93-95

 

2022 Château Chantalouette

Ruby. Dark fruits, blackberries, fruit driven nose, detailed, layered nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, anise, some spices, dark fruits, long finish. 89-91

 

2022 Château Le Chemin

Ruby. Dark fruits, anise, some spices, fruit driven nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruit driven, juicy, long finish if narrow. 89-91

 

2022 Château Chene Liege

Ruby. Leaner nose, boiled fruits, jammy. Avoid. 

 

2022 Château La Clemence 

Ruby. Dark fruits, nuanced, rich, bit jammy nose, some coffee. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, anise, dark fruits, liquorice, jammy but with some energy to it. 88-90

 

2022 Château Clinet

Ruby. Blackberries, anise, spices, dark fruits, liquorice, exotic spices, minerals, layered, intense and deep nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, deep, rich, spicy, layered, exotic spices, bramble, blueberries, firm yet lush, stunning texture to it, such depth, a great Clinet. Incredible length. 98-100

 

2022 Clos 56

Ruby. 3000 bottles made. Blackberries, anise, dark fruits, anise, lighter nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, anise, dark fruits, juicy yet firm. Long. 90-92

 

2022 Clos 126

Ruby. Blackberries, anise, dark fruits, some liquorice notes nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, anise, dark fruits, spices, long finish, some herbs. 89-91

 

2022 Château La Commanderie

Ruby. Blackberries, anise, liquorice, fruit driven, layered, nose, but ripe. Medium acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, liquorice, bit jammy. 87-89

 

2022 Château La Conseillante

Ruby. Dark fruits, anise, some spices, nuanced, red fruits, scented, red berries, detailed and nuanced nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, detailed, nuanced, bright, intense, concentrated yet lively and energetic, superb texture, layered, nuanced, intense and deep, just goes on and on. Power and finesse in a unique mix. 97-99

 

2022 Château La Creation

Ruby. Blackberries, anise, dark fruits, liquorice nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruit driven if leaner. 87-89

 

2022 Château La Croix 

Ruby. Blackberries, anise, some spices, fruit driven nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, red fruits, anise, some blackberries, vanilla, good length. 88-90

 

2022 Château La Croix de Gay

Ruby. Vanilla, spices, liquorice, dark fruits nose, coffee. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, spices, bit jammy, high alcohol. 90-92

 

2022 Château La Croix St.Georges

Ruby. Dark fruits, anise, some spices, liquorice nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, juicy, detailed, long finish. 90-92

 

2022 Château La Croix Taillefer

Ruby. Dark fruits, anise, liquorice, leaner nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, lean bodied. 84-86

 

2022 Château L'Eglise Clinet

Ruby. Scented, floral high notes, intense dark fruits, some spices and liquorice, layered, dense, fruit driven, detailed, faint tobacco and truffles note nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, rich, intense, layered, nuanced and deep, detailed, blackberries, juicy, spices, long finish. Creamy texture, silky tannins. 96-98

 

2022 La Petite Eglise

Ruby. 4700 bottles made from a small plot next to the church on the plateau of Pomerol and another plot next to La Fleur Petrus. Scented, blackberries, fruit driven, dark fruits, spices, nuanced nose, layered and detailed. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, anise, energetic and detailed, blackberries, such refined texture, lovely body and energy, layered and long. 93-95

 

2022 Château Enclos Haut Mazeyres

Ruby. Blackberries, anise, dark fruits if lighter nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, red fruits, anise, leaner bodied. 86-88

 

2022 Château L'Enclos

Ruby. Light fruit driven nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, leaner, fred berries, some spices,, good length. 86-88

 

2022 Château Fayat

Ruby. Blackberries, fruit driven, some spices nose, anise. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, dark fruits, some spices, blackberries, long finish. 90-92

 

2022 Château Ferrand

Ruby. Vanilla, spices, toasty nose. Medium acidity, ripe tannins, soft and woody. 86-88

 

2022 Château Feytit-Clinet

Ruby. Dark fruits, blackberries, anise, blueberries, fruit driven nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, dark fruits, liquorice, some herbs, long finish. 90-92

 

2022 Château La Fleur-Pétrus

Ruby. Dark fruits, anise, some spices, liquorice, blackberries, spices, layered and nuanced nose, deep and scented. Light minty note, chocolate, layers and layeres. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, spices, coffee, detailed, minty, almost a vibrancy going through the dense fruit, such layeres. A truly great wine! Incredible length. 96-98

 

2022 Château La Fleur de Plince

Ruby. Red fruits, anise, some spices, leaner nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, juicy, detailed, blackberries, good length. 88-90

 

2022 Château Gazin

Ruby. Blackberries, anise, some spices, liquorice, rich nose, intense. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, some spices, fruit driven and detailed, quite intense, layered, long finish. 93-95

 

2022 Château Le Gay

Ruby. Scented, red fruits, anise, liquorice and spices, blackberries nose, layered and detailed, floral high notes. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, detailed, rich, intense, layered, nuanced, bright, superb texture, absolute beauty! 95-97

 

2022 Clos Grangeneuve

Ruby. Dark fruits, anise, blackberries nose, lighter. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, anise, juicy, spices, blackberries, long finish. 91-93

 

2022 Château Grange-Neuve

Ruby. Dark fruits, anise, liquorice, fruit driven nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, anise, dark fruits, liquorice, good length. 87-89

 

2022 Château Les Grands Sillons

Ruby. Chocolate, blackberries and morellos nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, juicy, dark fruits, some spices, good length. 86-88

 

2022 Château Haut-Ferrand

Ruby. Dark fruits, anise, some spices, liquorice, lighter nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, red fruits, anise, spices, blackberries, liquorice, long finish. 89-91

 

2022 Château Haut-Maillet

Ruby. Red fruits, anise, spices, lighter nose, nuanced. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, some spices, juicy, detailed, good length. 88-90

 

2022 Château Hosanna

Ruby. Blackberries, dark fruits, liquorice, some herbs, layered nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, high alcohol, rich, dense, intense, almost massive, but not cooked. 92-94

 

2022 Château Lafleur 

Ruby. Detailed, intense, almost dense nose, layered and deep, firm nose, tight. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, energetic, rich, layered, firm, incredible depth and nuanced, tight knit at this stage, layered and deep, stunning length. Incredible and absolutely stunning, one of the powerhouses of the vintage. 97-99

 

2022 Les Pensées

Ruby. Cassis, dark fruits, anise, spices, liquorice, blackberries nose, detailed, minerals, scented. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, super soft attack, layered, blackberries, juicy, blackberries, deatiled and layered, so smooth and then more textured finish, long. A beauty. 94-96

 

2022 Château Lafleur-Gazin

Ruby. Dark fruits, anise, some herbs, blackberries, minerals. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, juicy, detailed, energetic, bright and lovely. 90-92

 

2022 Château Lafleur du Roy

Ruby. Dark fruits, anise, spices, liquorice, leaner nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, vanilla, wood, extracted. 86-88

 

2022 Château Lagrange

Ruby. Blackberries, anise, blueberries, fruit driven, dark fruits nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, juicy, blackberries, bit jammy. Good length. 87-89

 

2022 Château Lagrave Trigant de Boisset

Ruby. Blackberries, anise, dark fruits, liquorice and minerals nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, anise, some spices, dark fruits, somewhat leaner finish. Long.  90-92

 

2022 Château Latour a Pomerol

Ruby. Blackberries, anise, dark fruits, liquorice, some spices nose, detailed, nuanced and layered, highly scented and seductive. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, juicy, detailed, refreshing yet intense and dense, long. A fascinating latou a Pomerol. 94-96

 

2022 Château Maillet

Ruby. Blackberries, dark fruits, coffee and chocolate nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, dark fruits, juicy, layered, long. Firmer finish. Some herbs. 89-91

 

2022 Château Mazeyres

Ruby. Blackberries, dark fruits, some spices, liquorice nose. Scented. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, dark fruits, liquorice, good length. 88-90

 

2022 Château Montviel

Ruby. Blackberries, anise, dark fruits, spices nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, softer, fruit driven, some spices, juicy, long finish. 90-92

 

2022 Château Monregard La Croix

Ruby. Blackberries, anise, dark fruits, some spices nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, detailed and fairlu nuanced, textured. Long finish. 90-92

 

2022 Château Le Moulin

Ruby. Spices, blackberries, dasrk fruits, some coffee notes nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, leaner bodied, high alcohol. 86-88

 

2022 Château Moulinet

Ruby. Blackberries, anise, some herbs notes nose, leaner. Medium acidity, ripe tannins, rounded, yet still has more energy in the finish. 85-87

 

2022 Château Nenin

Ruby. Blackberries, scented, dark fruits, some liquorice, fruit driven nose, some spices. Detailed and lifted. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, anise, spices, juicy, detailed, nuanced and long. 92-94

 

2022 Château La Patache

Ruby. Blackberries, dark fruits, anise, some liquorice and spices nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, raspberries, spices, juicy, long finish. 89-91

 

2022 Château Petit-Village

Ruby. Scented, blackberries, minerals, detailed, nuanced, layered, bright nose, dense yet lifted. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, detailed, minerals, elegant, bright and nuanced, layered and long. Lovely stuff. 94-96

 

2022 Le Petit Petit-Village

Ruby. Blackberries, fruit driven, dark fruits nose, some spices. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, anise, some liquorice, some spices, good length. 88-90

 

2022 Petrus

Ruby. Blackberries, fruiot driven, layered, intense and deep, highly scented, leaps out of the glass, incredible nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, so smooth texture, such elegance, such finesse, such brightness, layered and nuanced, incredible balance, pH 3,63 and 14,5% alcohol. Amazing wine. 99-100

 

2022 Château Pierhem

Ruby. Dark fruits, anise, some vanilla and spices nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries and spices, firmer finish, long. 90-92

 

2022 Le Pin

Ruby. Blackberries, liquorice, fruit driven, nuanced, layered nose, bright and nuanced, scented, very pure fruit. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, detailed, fruit driven, layered, juicy, superb texture, so refined, incredible tannins, such finesse. Long finish, absolutely stunning. One of the stars of the vintage for sure. 98-100

 

2022 Château Plince

Ruby. Blackberries, spices, dark fruits, liquorice nose, coffee and vanilla. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, anise, liquorice, spices, herbs, alcohol warmth. 87-89

 

2022 Château Plincette

Ruby. Red berries, anise, some herbs, bit boiled fruits nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, leaner, bit jammy. 85-87

 

2022 Domaine de la Pointe

Ruby. Blackberries, anise, some spices, herbs nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, leane rbodied, anise, some spices, good length. 88-90

 

2022 Château Porte Chic

Ruby. Dark fruits, anise, liquorice, fruit driven nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, juicy, ripe, fruit driven, energetic, long finish. 89-91

 

2022 Château La Renaissance

Ruby. Anise, vanilla, spices, fruit driven nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, red fruits, leaner, bit short. 85-87

 

2022 Clos Rene

Ruby. Blackberries, anise, dark fruits, liquorice nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, anise, some spices, juicy, good length. 88-90

 

2022 Château La Rose Figeac

Ruby. Blackberries, dark fruits, some spices, nuanced nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, anise, dark fruits, spices, liquorice, long finish. 90-92

 

2022 Château Rouget

Ruby. Blackberries, anise, some spices, fruit driven if lighter nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, liquorice and spices, blackberries, good length. 88-90

 

2022 Château Sainte-Marie

Ruby. Scented, blackberries, anise, dark fruits nose, some spices. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, anise,d ark fruits, liquorice, good length. 87-89

 

2022 Château de Sales

Ruby. Blackberries, anise, dark fruits, liquorice notes nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, lots of wood but fruit seems to handle it, an energetic Sales. 89-91

 

2022 Château Seraphine

Ruby. Scented, red fruits, anise, some spices, blackberries nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, anise, dark fruits, good length. 87-89

 

2022 Château du Tailhas

Ruby. Blackberries, anise, lihter nose, lean even. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, more going on on the palate, red fruits, detailed, good length. 87-89

 

2022 Château Taillefer

Ruby. Blackberries, anise, dark fruits, liquorice nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, anise, dark fruits, good length. Woody. 88-90

 

2022 Château Tour-Maillet

Ruby. Red fruits, anise, blackberries, fruit driven nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, anise, dark fruits, juicy, long finish. 90-92

 

2022 Château La Tribune

Ruby. Anise, red fruits, liquorice, leaner nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, leaner bodied. 85-87

 

2022 Château Trotanoy

Ruby. Blackberries, anise, dark fruits, liquorice, some spices, layered and nuanced, intense nose, fruit driven. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, fruit driven, dense and intense, layered and long, smooth and seductive, long finish. 95-97

 

2022 Château La Truffe

Ruby. Blackberries, fruit driven, lighter nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, leaner bodied, red and dark fruits. 87-89

 

2022 Château de Valois

Ruby. Anise, blackberries, some vanilla and spices nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, red fruits, anise, blackberries, good length. 87-89

 

2022 Vieux Château Certan

Ruby. So scented, lifted, layered and nuanced nose, detailed, bright nose, some spices, detailed and complex, concentrated, incredible depth to this one, one of the best noses of all primeurs. Fresh acidity, fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, detailed, cassis, layered, juicy, detailed, bright, so refined, intense, incredible depth and energy, one of the absolute stars of the vintage and the appelation.Incredible. Minutes of aftertaste. 99-100

 

2022 Vieux Château Ferron

Ruby. Blackberries, anise, dark fruits, liquorice, fruit driven nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, red fruits, anise, some herbs, leaner finish. 85-87

 

2022 Château Vieux Maillet

Ruby. Dark fruits, liquorice, some spices, vanilla nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, rich, blackberries, anise, woody and alcoholic. 87-89

 

2022 Clos Vieux Taillefer

Ruby. Jammy nose, forst berries jam. Medium acidity, soft tannins, jammy and lifeless. 85-87

 

2022 Château Vray Croix de Gay

Ruby. Fruit driven, dark fruits, anise and spices nose, vanilla. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, juicy, dark fruits, exotic spices, detailed, long finish. 93-95

Primeur 2022: Pessac-Léognan

Pessac-Léognan White

 

2022 Château Bouscaut blanc

Pale lemon yellow. Apples, lemons, some citrus, fruit driven, nuanced nose, tighter. Fresh acidity, apples, citrus, some vanilla, detailed and nuanced, lovely balance, touch bitter finish. 90-92

 

2022 Château Carbonnieux blanc

Pale lemon yellow. Apples, lemons, some citrus notes, fruit driven nose, detailed. Fresh acidity, apples, grapefruits, some spices, vanilla, lemons, detailed, long finish. 90-92

 

2022 Domaine de Chevalier blanc

Pale lemon yellow. Some peach, apricots, minerals, apples, lemons, vanilla, detailed and layered nose, nuanced. Fresh acidity, apples, lemons, peach, detailed and nuanced, bright, creamy, layered and intense, long finish. Lovely candied lemons note, lovely balance. 94-96

 

2022 L'Esprit de Chevalier blanc                               

Pale lemon yellow. Apples, minerals, detailed, nuanced, citrus and grapefruits nose. Fresh acidity, lively, detailed and nuanced, lovely balance, such a surprise this vintage. 91-93

 

2022 Château Couhins blanc

Pale lemon yellow. Peach, minerals, nuanced, detailed, bright, lighter nose. Fresh acidity, apples, peach, minerals, grapefruits, detailed and nuanced, long finish. 90-92

 

2022 Château de France blanc

Pale lemon yellow. Apricots, peach, fruit driven, some vanilla and peach notes nose. Fresh acidity, apples, lemons, fruit driven, nuanced, good length. 87-89

 

2022 Château Haut-Brion blanc

Pale lemon yellow. Apples, pears, fruit driven, nuanced, detailed and intense, some tropical notes nose.Fresh acidity, fruit driven, nuanced, intense, detailed, creamy, layered and long. Juicy. Some saline notes in the finish gives lift. 95-97

 

2022 Le Clarté de Haut-Brion

Pale lemon yellow. Peach, apples, minerals, fruit driven nose, some vanilla and spices, layered. Fresh acidity, apples, lemons, minerals, detailed, juicy, refreshing, long. 90-92

 

2022 Château Larrivet Haut-Brion blanc

Pale lemon yellow. Apples, peach, fruit driven, some vanilla and spices nose. Fresh acidity, apples, lemons, minerals, fruit driven, bit smoky finish, good length. 88-90

 

2022 Château Latour-Martillac blanc

Pale lemon yellow. Apples, peach, citrus, fruit driven, some vanilla and spices nose, detailed, nuanced. Fresh acidity, lemons, citrus, some vanilla, detailed, somewhat creamy, long finish. 91-93

 

2022 Château Lespault-Martillac blanc                                

Pale lemon yellow. Apples, lemons, fruit driven and nuanced nose. Fresh acidity, minerals, apples, some citrus, elegant texture, lovely balance, good length. 89-91

 

2022 Château La Louvière blanc

Pale lemon yellow. Apples, peach, fruit driven, nuanced, vanilla, spices, somewhat tropical nose. Fresh acidity, apples, rounded, detailed, fruit driven, detailed and long. 90-92

 

2022 Château Malartic-Lagravière blanc

Pale lemon yellow. Some citrus, vanilla, light apples and pears nose, not that intense. Fresh acidity, rounded, easy going, juicy, lovely balance, has a relaxed feel to it, long. 89-91

 

2022 Clos Marsalette blanc

Pale lemon yellow. Apples, citrus, peach, detailed, scented nose, lovely. Fresh acidity, apples, peach, rounded, elegant, creamy, detailed and nuanced, lovely energy to it, long finish. 91-93

 

2022 Château La Mission Haut-Brion blanc

Pale lemon yellow. Fruit driven, apples, peach, nuanced, minerals, bright, detailed nose, quite intense. Fresh acidity, peach, apples, minerals, nuanced, detailed, bright, intense, layered, long finish. 94-96

 

2022 Château Olivier blanc

Pale lemon yellow. Apples, lemons, some peach notes, fruit driven nose, minerals and vanilla. Fresh acidity, rounded, apples, lemons, some minerals, citrus, detailed, lovely energy to it, long finish. Lovely Olivier. 91-93

 

2022 Château Pape Clément blanc

Pale lemon yellow. Peach, apricots, apples, pears, vanilla nose, fruit driven if not the most intense. Fresh acidity, ripe, apples, peach, some troical fruits, fruit stones, some vanilla, somewhat creamy texture, long finish. 92-94

 

2022 Château Picque Caillou blanc

Pale lemon yellow. Citrus, vanilla, grilled lemons and apples nose. Fresh acidity, leaner bodied, lemons, citrus, apples, focused but not tthat concentrated, good length. 87-89

 

2022 Château Smith Haut Lafitte blanc

Pale lemon yellow. Apples, lemons, fruit driven, peach, nuanced, floral high notes, nuanced nose, detailed. Fresh acidity, apples, lemons, minerals, nuanced, elegant body and texture, saline, lovely energy, detailed and long. 93-95

 

2022 Le Petit Smith Haut Lafitte blanc

Pale lemon yellow. Fruit driven, nuanced, some light peach notes, some vanilla, nuanced nose. Fresh acidity, rounded, fruit driven, peach, apples, citrus, nuanced, long finish. 91-93

 

2022 Les Hauts de Smith blanc

Pale lemon yellow. Peach,apples, fruit driven, some citrus and grapefruits nose. Fresh acidity, apples, peach, fruit driven, elegant and juicy, long finish, creamy. 90-92

 

2022 Domaine de la Solitude blanc                                       

Pale lemon yellow. Apples, citrus, fruit driven, elegant nose, scented if tight. Fresh acidity, lively, apples, citrus, creamy, elegant, bright finish, long. 89-91

 

 

 

 

Pessac-Léognan Red

 

 

2022 Château Bouscaut

Ruby. Blackberries, anise, dark fruits, some liquorice notes nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, anise, dark fruits, liquorice, detailed, intense, I have not tasted many Bouscaut's, but this is on a new level. 93-95

 

2022 Château Branon

Ruby. Blackberries, anise, dark fruits, some liquorice notes nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, anise, some spices, liquorice, juicy, firmer, long finish. 91-93

 

2022 Château Brown

Ruby. Blackberries, dark fruits, blueberries notes nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, some spices, blackberries, juicy, long ginish, superb Brown. 89-91

 

2022 Château Carbonnieux 

Ruby. Blackberries, bramble, dark fruits and spices nose, some vanilla. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, liquorice, fruit driven, some spices, woody and vanilla finish. 89-91

 

2022 Château Les Carmes Haut-Brion

Ruby. Blackberries, anise, dark fruits, liquorice, nuanced nose, layered, deep, liquorice. Quite intense but also quite compact at this stage.With a lot of air, violets and floral high notes. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, anise, liquorice, fruit driven, layered, nuanced, incredible texture, silky, velvety, the texture in this wine is something I have never encountered before, lots of tannins but so silky smooth, almost creamy, it is a study in itself. Energy kicks in in the finish, almost a salinity, superb length. Refined and will be incredibly fascintating to follow the development of this wine. pH 3,64. Around 60.000 bottles made. Has some tension to it, it just keeps showing new levels and new details for each sip. So refined. A gentle giant. 99-100

 

2022 C des Carmes Haut-Brion

Ruby. Cassis, blackberries, fruit driven, intense nose, scented, floral and nuanced, layered nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, blueberry jam, dark fruits, spices, liquorice, long finish, juicy. Soft texture. 93-95

 

2022 Domaine de Chevalier 

Ruby. Scented, blackberries, anise, liquorice, fruit driven nose, floral high notes, a fine minerality beneath, incredibly detailed and elegant nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, intense, spicy attack, then fruit and a gorgeous texture, lots of fine tuned extraction, silky, layered, but also firm, this has a gorgeous build up, incredible length. Bravo Domaine de Chevalier. 97-99

 

2022 L'Esprit de Chevalier 

Ruby. Blackberries, spices, dark fruits, fruit driven, nuanced nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, dark fruits, juicy, detailed and long. Must be best ever Esprit. 90-92

 

2022 Château Couhins

Ruby. Dark fruits, some spices, liquorice, spices, blackberries and cassis nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, dark fruits, some spices, liquorice, long finish. 92-94

 

2022 Château de Cruzeau

Ruby. Dark fruits, anise, liquorice, blackberries nose. Medium acidity, ripe, dark fruits, liquorice and spices, leaner finish. 86-88

 

2022 Château de Fieuzal

Ruby. Blackberries, anise, dark fruits, some spices, liquorice nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, juicy and energetic, detailed and long. A lovely Fieuzal. 92-94

 

2022 Château de France 

Ruby. Blackberries, anise, some bramble notes nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, juicy, blackberries, dark fruits, detailed, intense Ch. De France, a new level of detail. 89-91

 

2022 Château Haut-Bacalan

Ruby. Blackberries, anise, some spices, dark fruits nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, anise, woody, spicy, fairly energetic, but much wood up fronty that at this stage overshadows. 88-90

 

2022 Château Haut-Bailly

Ruby. Dark fruits, anise, blackberries, fruit driven, intense, ripe, cassis and blueberries nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, anise, dark fruits, rich, intense and deep, layered, intense mouthfeel, subdued energy to it, so much texture, but so fine grained, very long finish. The concentration is imense. 95-97

 

2022 Haut-Bailly II

Ruby. Blackberries, anise, dark fruits, some spices, liquorice nose, layered and nuanced. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, dark fruits, liquorice, cassis and blueberries, juicy, long finish. 91-93

 

2022 Château Haut-Bergey

Ruby. Blackberries, anise, some spices, fruit driven nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, anise, spices, sweetish, leaner finish, good length. 87-89

 

2022 Château Haut-Brion

Ruby. Cassis, blackberries, blueberries, scented, lifted, some spices, layered and nuanced nose, intense, rich, layered and deep, some minerals beneath. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, anise, juicy, energetic, layered, deep, intense, incredible how it pushes your taste buds, danses walse over your tongue. Goes on and and and playful, refined and incredibly detailed, the "pixels" is amazing. pH 3,83 99-100

 

2022 Le Clarence de Haut-Brion

Ruby. Blackberries, blueberries, fruit driven, nuanced, refined, some faint scented notes nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, anise, dark fruits, liquorice, layered, nuanced and deep, lovely energy to it, silky smooth, the most refined Clarence to date. 94-96

 

2022 Château Haut-Lagrange

Ruby. Herbs, leaner, thin nose even. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, some spices, herbs, jammy. 86-88

 

2022 Château Larrivet Haut-Brion 

Ruby. Blackberries, anise, fruit driven, some spices, liquorice nose, vanilla. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, vanilla, blackberries, some spices, leaner finish, woody. 87-89

 

2022 Château Latour-Martillac 

Ruby. Dark fruits, anise, liquorice, some spices nose, bramblefruit driven. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, dark fruits, liquorice, rich and intense, long, spicy-smoky finish. 90-92

 

2022 Château Lespault-Martillac                              

Ruby. Blackberries, fruit driven, some spices, nuanced nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, spices, blackberries, some herbs, long finish.    89-91

 

2022 Château La Louvière 

Ruby. Blackberries, bramble, dark fruits, spices, anise, rich, layered nose, detailed. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, liquorice, spices, detailed and firm, long finish. A great La Louvière. 91-93

 

2022 Château Malartic-Lagravière 

Ruby. Spices, fruit driven, bramble, layered and intense nose, detailed, scented and lifted. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, anise, spices, dark fruits, rich and intense, long finish. 92-94

 

2022 Clos Marsalette

Ruby. Blackberries, liquorice, fruit driven, nuanced, dark berries nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, anise, juicy, lush, fruit driven and intense, long finish. Very juicy, fine tuned texture. 92-94

 

2022 Château La Mission Haut-Brion

Ruby. Blackberries, cassis, dark fruits, some spices, very fruit driven and nuanced nose, fairly dense nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, anise, dark fruits, liquorice, detailed, nuanced, rich, smuper smooth, incredible texture, silky and gentle yet poweful, long finish. pH 3,95 97-99

 

2022 La Chapelle de la Mission Haut-Brion

Ruby. Blackberries, anise, dark fruits, liquorice nose, scented, lifted, nuanced nose, detailed. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, ripe, intense, detailed, fruit driven, liquorice, layered, long finish. 93-65

 

2022 Château Olivier

Ruby. Blackberries, rich, deep, intense, dark fruits nose, layered and intense, unusual depth for Olivier.Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, dark fruits, intense, red fruits finish, long. 92-94

 

2022 Château Pape Clément 

Ruby. Dark fruits, anise, spices, blackberries nose, vanilla. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, vanilla, spices, dark fruits, liquorice, long and layered. 94-96

 

2022 Château Picque Caillou 

Ruby. Some boiled fruit notes nose, some vanilla and coffee. Medium acidity, ripe tannins, leaner bodied, anise, trying a bit hard it seems. 86-88

 

2022 Château de Rochemorin

Ruby. Anise, blackberries, dark fruits, liquorice and spices nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, anise, dark fruits, liquorice, detailed, bit woody finish. 89-91

 

2022 Château Smith Haut Lafitte

Ruby. Scented, blackberries, nuanced, dark fruits, liquorice, layered, minerals, fruit driven and fairly intense nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, anise, dark fruits, liquorice and spices, long finish. Fine grained tannins, juicy, layered, cassis, a beauty. 96-98

 

2022 Le Petit Smith Haut Lafitte

Ruby. Cassis, blackberries, anise, liquorice, fruit driven nose, intense and layered. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, cassis, juicy, blackberries, dark fruits, firmer, liquorice, long finish. 91-93

 

2022 Les Hauts de Smith

Ruby. Cassis, blackberries, anise, dasrk fruits, scented and nuanced nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, juicy, blackberries, dark fruits, anise, nuanced, juicy with texture. 90-92

 

2022 Domaine de la Solitude

Ruby. Cassis, blackberries, spices, detailed nose, intense for Solitude. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, juicy, detailed, spices, layered, elegant, best ever Solitude, for sure! 92-94

 

2022 Château Le Thil Comte Clary

Ruby. Blackberries, anise, dark fruits, liquorice notes nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, anise, dark fruits, liquorice, spices, good length. 88-90

2022 Graves Primeur tasting notes

Graves

 

Graves Blanc

 

2022 Château de Chantegrive blanc

Pale lemon yellow. Apples, peach, some grapefruits, fruit driven nose, nuanced, some vanilla. Fresh acidity, some light bitterness, vanilla, spices, tropical fruits, good length. 87-89

 

2022 Clos Floridene blanc

Pale lemon yellow. Apples, lemons, minerals, detailed, citrus, layered nose, nuanced. Fresh aciidty, apples, eleagnt texture, citrus, yellow fruits, touch of spices, creamy, long finish. Camphor note to it. 90-92

 

2022 Château Ferrande blanc

Pale lemon yellow. Apples, peach, fruit driven, minerals, bright nose, some vanilla and spices. Fresh acidity, grapefruits, peach, fruit driven, rounded, touch bitter, good length. 86-87

 

2022 Château Rahoul blanc

Pale lemon yellow. Apples, lemons, minerals, bright and nuanced nose. Fresh acidity, vanilla, somewhat creamy, detailed, rounded, peach, good length. 87-89

 

 

 

Graves Rouge

 

2002 Château Brondelle

Ruby. Scented, blackberries, anise, dark fruits, liquorice and spices nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, anise, some spices, dark fruits, bit woody finish. 88-90

 

2022 Château de Chantegrive

Ruby. Blackberries, anise, some spices, liquorice, bramble notes nose, vanilla. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, vanilla, spices, liquorice, dark fruits, intense, yet some herbs in the finish. I new level of cocentration from Chantegrive. 88-90

 

2022 Château de Cerons

Ruby. Blackberries, anise, dark fruits, some spices nose, scented. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, anise, some spices, light bodied, quite juicy, I would hold back on the wood here, lovely fruit. 88-90

 

2022 Château Crabitey

Ruby. Herbs, anise, dark fruits, some spices and coffee notes nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, anise, dark fruits, some spices, leaner finish. 86-88

 

2022 Clos Floridene

Ruby. Blackberries, anise, dark fruits, some spices nose, light mineral note. Scented and pure. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, anise, juicy, minerals, some tobacco notes, long finish. Energetic, best Clos Floridene to date. 91-93

 

2022 Grand Enclos du Château de Cerons

Ruby. Blackberries, blueberries, fruit driven nose, some spices. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, smoother, dark fruits, blackberries, juicy, good length. 88-90

 

2022 Château Ferrande 

Ruby. Blackberries, liquorice, fruit driven, scented and detailed nose, layered. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, liquorice, dark fruits, some spices, long finish. Probably best Ferrande ever. 89-91

 

2022 Château Haura

Ruby. Dark fruits, anise, some spices, liquorice, blackberries nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, anise, spices, dark fruits, long finish. Best Haura made. 91-93

 

2022 Château des Portets

Ruby. Anise, blackberries, some herbs, fruit driven nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, juicy, leaner finish. 86-88

 

2022 Château Rahoul

Ruby. Vanilla, blackberries, fruit driven, some spices nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, blackberries and spices, liquorice, good length. 87-89

 

2022 Château Roquetaillade La Grange

Ruby. Blackberries, dark fruits, anise, some spices, fruit driven nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, anise, dark fruits, juicy, best from here I have tasted. 88-90

 

2022 Château Saint-Robert

Ruby. Herbs, liquorice, dark fruits, leaner nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, leaner bodied, some herbs and blueberries. Easy going. 87-89

 

2022 Château Tourteau-Chollet

Ruby. Blackberries, aise, herbs and coffee nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, anise, dark fruits, leaner bodied. 86-88

 

2022 Bordeaux primeur from different appellations tasted

2022 Château d'Anglade Grande Reserve

Ruby. Cassis, spices, liquorice, fruit driven, nuanced nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, liquorice, spices, juicy. 85-87

 

2022 Prestige du Château Bellevue Lancon

Ruby. Blackberries, anise, some spices, liquorice nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, red fruits, anise, liquorice, juicy, good length. 86-88

 

2022 Château Boutillon Cuvée Luigi

Ruby. Anise, blackberries, dark fruits, liquorice nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, lively, fruit driven, quite a bit of wood, will it handle it? 83-88

 

2022 Château Brondeau

Ruby. Anise, blackberries, spices, fruit driven nose. Fresh acidity, vanilla, spices, fruit driven, intense, juicy with vanilla. 86-88

 

2022 Château Lamothe-Vincent

Ruby. Blackberries, anise, some spices, liquorice, detailed nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, red fruits, anise, some spices, liquorice, good length. 87-89

 

2022 Château Lamothe-Vincent Le Grand Rossignol

Ruby. Blackberries, anise, cassis, dark fruits nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, fruit driven, dark berries, good length. 86-88

 

2022 Château Perrin d'Hoge

Ruby. Scented, blackberries, anise, dark fruits, liquorice, nuanced nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, anise, juicy, dark fruits, good length. 86-88

 

2022 Château de Marsan

Ruby. Bit jammy dark fruits nose, some spices. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, bit jammy, not that long. 84-86

 

2022 Château Reaut

Ruby. Blackberries, anise, spices, liquorice, richer nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, anise, dark fruits, juicy, long. Best reaut I have tasted. 88-90

 

2022 Chaâteau Beynat Cuvée Leonard

Ruby. Blackberries, anise, dark fruits, blueberry jam nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, anise, dark fruits, some spices, liquorice, juicy, good length. 87-89

 

2022 Château Goudichaud Heritage

Ruby. Blackberries, liquorice, fruit driven, some spices, liquorice, nuanced nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, juicy, dark fruits, liquorice, juicy, playful, lovely. 87-89

 

2022 Château du Petot Puch

Ruby. Blackberries, anise, dark fruits, liquorice, scented nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, juicy, some spices, some herbs, good length. 86-87

 

2022 Château Bel Air Eiffel

Ruby. Anise, blackberries, fruit driven, lighter nose, nuanced. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, juicy, rounded, bit leaner, elegant texture, good length. 87-89

 

2022 Château Pellot

Ruby. Scented, blackberries, anise, some spices, detailed nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, liquorice, dark fruits, textured, shorter finish. 86-88

 

2022 Château Noaillac

Ruby. Scented, blackberries, anise, dark fruits, liquorice nose, layered. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, anise, dark fruits, juicy. Long. Finish. 90-92

 

2022 Château Poitevin

Ruby. Blackberries, anise, raisins, somewhat sunburned feel to it on the nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, liquorice, vanilla, lots of wood here, good length. 88-90

 

2022 Château Bellerive

Ruby. Cassis, blackberries, liquorice, fruit driven and ripe nose. Fresh acidity, blackberries, smooth, rounded, elegant texture, good length. 87-89

 

2022 Château Haut-Barrail

Ruby. Dark fruits, anise, some spices, liquorice, fruit forward nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, dark fruits, bit short. 85-87

 

2022 Château Haut-Bana

Ruby. Wood, spices, blackberries, coffee and chocolate nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, lots of wood, will the fruit handle it? 86-88

 

2022 Château Lousteauneuf

Ruby. Spices, liquorice, fruit driven, some pices nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, dark fruits, liquorice, good length. 86-88

 

2022 Château La Branne

Ruby. Cassis, anise, some spices, liquorice nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, anise, dark fruits, lots of vanilla and coffee. 85-87

 

2022 Château Plagnac

Ruby. Herbs, liquorice, some spices nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, some herbs, leaner bodied. 84-86

 

2022 Château La Valiere

Ruby Blackberries, anise, dark fruits, some scented notes, fruit driven. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, anise, juicy, spices, quite detailed, long finish. 89-91

 

2022 Château La Roque de By

Ruby. Cassis, blackberries, anise, dark fruits, liquorice notes nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, anise, juicy, detailed, long. The most intense Roque de By to date. Another level. 89-91

 

2022 Château du Perrier

Ruby. Blackberries, anise, somewhat oxidative fruit on the nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, leaner bodied, anise, easy going. 84-86

 

2022 Château Saint-Christoly

Ruby. Cassis, vanilla, spices, dark fruits, vanilla nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, anise, dark fruits, long finish. 88-90

 

2022 Clos Manou

Ruby. Blackberries, anise, some spices, fruit driven nose, liquorice. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, juicy, some spices, detailed, long. 88-90

 

2022 Cuvée Heritage Marc Pages La Tour de By

Ruby. Cassis, blackberries, fruit driven nose, detailed and layered nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, juicy, intense, rich and firm, long finish. Best one I have tasted of this cuvée. 92-94

 

2022 Château Pontey

Ruby. Liquorice, blueberries, and blueberry jam nose, fruit driven. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, spices, juicy, quite intense, long finish. 88-90

 

2022 Château Villa Carmin

Ruby. Blackberries, anise, some spices, liquorice, dark fruits nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, juicy, some spices, rich, good length. 88-90

 

2022 Château Fleur La Mothe

Ruby. Cassis, blackberries, anise, some spices, liquorice, rich nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, fruit driven, quite intense, textured, long. 88-90

 

2022 Château Senilhac

Ruby. Blackberries, anise, fruit driven, raspberries and chocolate nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, spices, liquorice, good length, some herbs in the finish. 87-89

 

2022 Château Moulin de Blanchon

Ruby. Blackberries, vanilla, toast, lots of wood on the nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, anise, spices, rich, intense, vanilla and spices, lots of wood here. 86-90

 

2022 Château Haut-Maurac

Ruby. Cassis, blackberries, dark fruits, anise, spices, fruit driven nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, vanilla, spices, woody, leaner finish, good fruit but trying a bit hard. 88-90

 

2022 Château Croix du Trale

Ruby. Cassis, blackberries, anise, dark fruits, liquorice, some spices nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, anise, juicy, rich, detailed, long. 89-91

 

2022 Domaine Andron

Ruby. Vanilla, anise, some spices nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, leaner bodied, some spices, good length. 86-88

 

2022 Château Martin

Ruby. Vanilla, anise, spices, fruit driven nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, vanilla, spices, some herbs, good length. 86-88

 

2022 Château de Cassana

Ruby. Blackberries, anise, some spices, dark fruits nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, dark fruits, rich, juicy, long finish. 88-90

 

2022 Château de Cartujac

Ruby. Blackberries, chocolate, some spices, vanilla notes nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, bit anonymous, lacks some energy, quite structured. 85-87

 

2022 Château Barreyres

Ruby. Spices, blackberries, dark fruits, liquorice nose, coffee and herbs. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, anise, dark fruits, liquorice, good length. 86-88

 

2022 Château d'Arcins

Ruby. Blackberries, anise, dark fruits, liquorice notes nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, anise, dark fruits, liquorice, good length. 87-89

 

2022 Château Paloumey

Ruby. Blackberries, anise, some spices, liquorice nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, anise, some herbs, good length. 87-89

 

2022 Château Bellegrave du Poujeau

Ruby. Scented, blackberries, fruit driven, floral, vanilla and spices nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, anise, juicy, good length. 87-89

 

2022 Château Caroline

Ruby. Vanilla, spices, liquorice, fruit driven, richer nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannina, ripe, sweet, dark fruits, spices, woody finish, bit overdone. 86-88

 

2022 Château Chemin Royal

Ruby. Blackberries, anise, spices, liquorice, vanilla and coffee notes bose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, anise, spices, leaner finish. 85-87

 

2022 Château Lestage-Darquier Grand Poujeaux

Ruby. Fruit driven, some spices, liquorice, fruit driven nose, quite intense. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, anise, dark fruits, spices, liquorice, long finish. 90-92

 

2022 Château La Garricq

Ruby. Blackberries, anise, dark fruits, liquorice, herbs nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, anise, dark fruits, leaner finish. 87-89

 

2022 Château Lestage

Ruby. Blackberries, anise, dark fruits, anise, liquorice, fruit driven nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, anise, dark fruits, intense, juicy with texture, long finish. 90-92

 

2022 Château Saransot-Dupré

Ruby. Blackberries, anise, dark fruits, liquorice nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, anise, juicy, some spices, good length. 88-90

 

2022 Château La Bessane

Ruby. Rich, vanilla, spices, wood and herbs nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, rich, sweet, blackberries, anise, spices, good length. 86-88

 

2022 Château la Bridane

Ruby. Cassis, anise, blackberries, fruit driven nose, detailed. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, bit boiled fruits, spices, juicy, good length. 87-89

 

2022 Château Finegrave

Ruby. Scented, blackberries, anise, fruit driven, nuanced nose, detailed. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, anise, fruit driven, juicy, firmer finish, long. 0,8 hectares of vineyards. 90-92

 

2022 Evoke Cuvée Speciale 

Ruby. some 700 magnums mad efrom 0,25 hectare. Blackberries, fruit driven, rich, fruit driven, intense nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, dark fruits, vanilla, very ripe and rich, bit boiled fruit. 89-91

 

2022 Domaine Les Sadons

Ruby. Blackberries, dark fruits, anise, some spices, liquorice, fruit driven nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, dark fruits, anise, spices, liquorice, long. 0,8 ha hectares only. 89-91

 

2022 Domaine Fleuron de Liot

Ruby. Blackberries, anise, dark fruits, rich nose, some spices. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, spices, fruit driven, rich, juicy, long finish. 90-92

 

2022 Château Martin

Ruby. Blackberries, anise, dark fruits, liquorice nose, woody. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, anise, easy going with texture to it. 86-88

 

2022 Château La Croix de Pez

Ruby. Cassis, blackberries, anise, dark fruits, liquorice and spices, nuanced nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, dark fruits, leaner finish. Bit boiled fruit. 87-89

 

2022 Château Haut-Marbuzet

Ruby. Blackberries, anise, dark fruits, rich, nuanced, fruit driven nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, liquorice, anise, blackberries, long finish. 92-94

 

2022 Château Le Crock

Ruby. Cassis, blackberries, anise, dark fruits, some spices nose, detailed. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, anise, dark fruits, liquorice, juicy, long finish. 92-94

 

2022 Château Beausejour 

Ruby. Blueberries, fruit driven, rich nose, intense. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, anise, dark fruits, richer, good length. 88-90

 

2022 Clos de L'Esperance

Ruby. Blackberries, anise, dark fruits, liquorice, fruit driven nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, anise, some spices, liquorice, good length. 85-87

 

2022 Chäteau Clos des Abbesses

Ruby. Blackberries, anise, spices, fruit driven nose, nuanced. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, spices, liquorice, good length. 86-88

 

2022 Château Franc Bigaroux

Ruby. Dark fruits, blackberries and spices, liquorice. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, dark fruits, spices, rounded, bit short. 86-88

 

2022 Château Tournefuille La Cure

Ruby. Blackberries, anise, fruit driven, blackberries nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, juicy, spices, elegant body, long finish. 89-91

2022 Bordeaux, -"The king is awakening"

2022 have some absolute stars, and I have one word that you need to remember!

 

I am sitting here in Bordeaux, my last evening after primeur. I just finished the tastings, and I have opened a somewhat older bottle, been sipping to it, enjoying it, and there is a word that has been on my mind a lot the last week. This wine, the wine that I am sipping, enjoying,  does not even carry this word on the label. Even if it is from prime location’s within the region, that is this word. The word on my mind. For an entire week. I think of this word when I taste first growths. The wine I am sipping to is made by famous people. From a grand name. They don’t see any value in showing the word I am thinking of on the label. No, they actually, appellation wise, downgrade their wine. 

They find that the word Bordeaux on a label means more than my word. 

My favorite word of Bordeaux primeurs 2022. 

 

My title is provoking, and it is meant to be. Forgotten today, the romans were here. So were Charlemagne. In 849 the viking Hastings pillaged the place. It was enjoyed at the court of Versailles itself, but now, it has no meaning. Unless you are a proper wine lover, then you know the tremendous value and pleasure of my 2022 word. How can that have happened to some of the best terroirs of Bordeaux? That year after year turns out better and better wines. To critical acclaim. High scores, rock bottom prices. But the consumers have yet to react. Well, 2022 is showing two wines on a level never seen, at least in modern times, from my word before. Oh yes, the old king is starting to wake up. And you should know about it. Don’t tell me you haven’t had the chance. Bargains, and they have never been better. 

 

I will give up the word shortly. But before that, almost every wine I have tasted from my word of the 2022 vintage has been the best wine I have ever tasted from this region. And from this or that estate. They are so good. And two of them are entering a new level. Eric Boissenot, the super star consultant that consults more or less all the greatest estates in Bordeaux, started consulting one of my stars last year for the 2021 vintage. This estate found pixels in its wines we earlier only guessed might be there. In 2022 they found an entire movie. I had to taste the wine five times during primeurs, because not only did I have to be sure, as I have never rated any wine from the region as high as I did before, but I finally thought to myself. Wow, I have been right all along. The potential is actually starting to show. There is a king sleeping here. There really is. And he is awakening. Slowly, but surely. 

 

Then, almost a week later, visiting one of the greatest names in Bordeaux, I tasted another 2022, from these limestone vineyards, that was even greater. That is the one I am now enjoying an older sibling of, tonight. The one that does not even carry the king’s name on it’s label. As no one remembers the king. Anymore. That must change. These wines are so underpriced it is shameful. Even the one only priding itself being from Bordeaux is undervalued.

 

So, I am drinking the secretively called Acte 8. That means 2016. Made by and owned by the iconic and legendary Château Lafleur in Pomerol. The wine that just blew my mind was its younger brother Les Perrieres 2022, now it has a name. The vineyard is just above Château La Riviere. And yes, my word for the 2022 vintage is Fronsac. This is the greatest wine made on this terroir for probably 150 to 200 years. Maybe all the way back to the Versailles days. But trust me, you will hear more about Fronsac. This is the first time I score a wine from Fronsac potentially 95 points, and even if it does not want to carry the name of this faded but proud region, this is were it is from. It ows everything to the marvelous limestone soils of Fronsac. 

The other masterpiece is Château Dalem. I scored it 94 points and had to go back several times to try it. I have been waiting for this to happen. I have enjoyed splendid bottles of Dalem that shows way more complexity than they do when young. And I mean, properly old, back to the 1960's, and trust me, the modern vintages are far more precise and refined. 

I have felt that this is going to happen. It has to. At some point it just has to. The soil is too good. The soil, the terroir, has been waiting for enough cash flow. For the right time. For the right knowledge and experience. Maybe for the right vintages. When someone like Eric Boissenot pays attention, you should to. 

 

2022 Château Fontenil of Dany and Michel Rolland is superb, so is Château de la Dauphine. And Château la Riviere. All three, probably the best they ever made. And many more. 2022 is the year the old king awakens! Trust me on this. 

 

My word for 2022 Bordeaux is Fronsac!