Bordeaux En Primeur 2021

Pauillac

Château Batailley 94–95 Deep crimson. Intense blackcurrant, praline aromas with dark chocolate notes. Richy flavoured wine with abundant blackcurrant, blackberry fruits, fine slinky grainy tannins, attractive mid-palate density and integrated roasted chestnut notes. Finishes firm with leafy cabernet notes. Very expressive wine. 76% cabernet sauvignon, 2% cabernet franc, 20% merlot, 2% petit verdot. 18 months in 50–60% new French oak. 13% alc Carruades de Lafite (de Château Lafite Rothschild) 94–95 Medium-deep colour. Blackcurrant, raspberry praline mocha hint of violet aromas. Lovely cassis, dark chocolate flavours, classical fine- grained tannins, very good mid-palate density and mineral length. Finishes al dente/ graphite firm. 55% cabernet sauvignon, 36% merlot, 94–95 Deep colour. Cassis, dark chocolate, espresso aromas. Richly flavoured wine with blackcurrant, espresso, dark chocolate flavours, fine loose- knit chalky/grainy tannins, lovely natural density and vanilla/roasted chestnut notes. Finishes minerally and long. Very good precision and suppleness. 88% cabernet sauvignon, 12% merlot. 18 months in 70% new and 30% second-use French oak barriques. Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande 94–95 Deep crimson. Intense dark cherry, blackcurrant brambly aromas with espresso, graphite leafy notes. Richly flavoured and sturdy with ample blackcurrant blackberry fruits dense chocolaty/ chewy textures and integrated cedar oak notes. Finishes chocolaty firm with mineral graphite notes. This should age pretty well. 88% cabernet sauvignon, 2% merlot, 10% cabernet franc. 12 months in 40% new French oak. 13% alc Château Clerc Milon 93–94 Medium-deep colour. Intense black cherry, mulberry dark chocolate aromas with herb notes. Well concentrated mulberry, black cherry fruits, brambly notes and underlying savoury espresso/ mocha oak. Grainy firm finish with ample sweet fruits. A classic Pauillac style with tannins giving textural richness and lengthening the palate. 59% cabernet sauvignon, 28% merlot, 10% cabernet franc, 1.5% carmenere, 1.5% petit verdot. Château Duhart-Milon 93–94 Medium-deep colour. Fresh raspberry cassis, graphite aromas with herb garden notes. Generous and juicy with fresh pure raspberry, cassis fruits, fine slinky/ hint leafy textures and underlying savoury oak. Finishes firm and minerally. Very good density and torque. 81% cabernet sauvignon 19% merlot. 5% cabernet franc, 4% petit verdot. Château Pichon Longueville Baron

Château Latour 97–98 Deep colour. Fragrant, dark chocolate, dark cherry, blackcurrant fruits with cedar notes. Well concentrated dark chocolate blackcurrant, mocha flavours, fine grained/ graphite tannins and roasted chestnut oak flavours. Finishes al dente firm and minerally. A refined classical style with very good tannin vigour and freshness. Should age extremely well. 96% cabernet sauvignon, 4% merlot. 13.1% alc Château Mouton Rothschild 97–98 Medium-deep crimson. Lifted blackcurrant, blackberry aromas with toasty, marzipan roasted chestnut notes. Inky deep blackcurrant blackberry fruits, fine graphite/firm and a hint cedary tannins with plentiful toasty/ roasted chestnut/ vanilla notes. Finishes chocolaty firm and minerally with bittersweet notes. A very lovely wine with ample dark fruits, superb richness and energy. Should develop very well. 89% cabernet sauvignon, 10% merlot, 1% cabernet franc. Château Lafite Rothschild 96–97 Deep colour. Classical blackcurrant, blackberry, hint cedar aromas with mocha herb notes. Richly concentrated yet elegantly styled with pure blackcurrant, blackberry fruits, fine slinky/chalky dry tannins, attractive mid-palate volume, roasted chestnut, hint malt oak. Finishes grainy/ al dente firm with bittersweet notes. Impressive power, density and focus. A first wine made from almost 100% cabernet sauvignon. 96% cabernet sauvignon, 3% merlot, 1% petit verdot. Château d’Armailhac 95–96 Deep crimson. Intense blackcurrant, redcurrant, praline aromas with espresso, vanilla herb/violet notes. Firm and assertive with dense blackcurrant, dark chocolate, espresso flavours and fine chocolaty tannins. Neatly balanced wine with underlying oak and firm minerally finish. 63% cabernet sauvignon, 22% merlot, 13% cabernet franc, 2% petit verdot. 18 months in around 40% new French oak. 13% alc Château Pontet-Canet 95–96 Deep crimson. Lovely dark chocolate, blackberry, graphite aromas. Richly concentrated and voluminous dark chocolate, blackberry, blackcurrant flavours, integrated fine chocolaty/ cedary textures and savoury nuances. Beautifully balanced with very good density, mid-palate richness and vigour. 58% cabernet sauvignon, 32% merlot, 4% cabernet franc 6% petit verdot. 50% new oak, 35% amphoras, 15% 1-year old oak.

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The Vintage Journal – International Series

Bordeaux 2022

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