Bordeaux En Primeur 2021

Pessac-Léognan & Graves

Château Pape Clement 93–94 Deep crimson. Fresh dark cherry, blackcurrant, cedar aromas with sesame/ miso notes. Buoyant and richly flavoured with plentiful dark cherry, blackberry fruits, fine supple/ chocolaty textures and plentiful vanilla/ savoury oak. Finishes claret firm with an inky plume. Very good density and torque. 60% merlot, 40% cabernet sauvignon. 18 months in around 70% new French oak. 13% alc La Chapelle (de Château La Mission Haut-Brion) 93–94 Medium-deep crimson. Fresh chinotto, black cherry, blackcurrant aromas with herb garden aniseed notes. Fresh chinotto black cherry blackcurrant flavours, fine chalky bittersweet tannins and underlying savoury notes. Finishes chalky firm and minerally. 51% merlot, 4% cabernet franc, 45% cabernet sauvignon. 27% new oak. 13.5% alc Château Larrivet Haut-Brion 92–93 Deep crimson. Dark cherry, graphite with rose garden/ leafy notes. Generous, inky and supple with dark cherry, cassis fruits, fine loose-knit chalky/ grainy tannins, underlying savoury oak and attractive mineral length. Firm finish. Very good winemaking – should develop very well. 81% cabernet sauvignon, 19% cabernet franc. 16 months in around 30% new French oak. 12.9% alc Domaine de Chevalier 92–93 Medium-deep crimson. Fragrant almost herbal with red cherry, mulberry sage aromas and underlying cedar/ sesame notes. Inky and oaky with plentiful red cherry, redcurrant fruits, fine chalky/ cedar textures and savoury vanilla oak. Still in parts but should develop quite well. 80% cabernet sauvignon, 10% merlot, 5% petit verdot, 5% cabernet franc. 18 92–93 Medium-deep crimson. Fresh dark plum, cola, aniseed, herb garden aromas. Very taut wine with pure dark plum fruits, fine supple graphite firm tannins and pronounced acidity. Hint of savoury/ cedar oak complexity in the background. 28% new oak. 13% alc Château Latour-Martillac 90–91 Medium-deep crimson. Fresh red cherry, blackcurrant herb aromas with underlying vanilla notes. Inky red cherry cassis flavours, fine loose-knit chalky/ slinky textures, attractive inky density and vanilla/ spicy notes. Finishes firm and minerally. 60% cabernet sauvignon, 30% merlot, 10% petit verdot. 16 months in approximately 40% new French oak. months in new and seasoned French oak. 13% alc Le Clarence de Haut-Brion (de Château Haut-Brion)

Château Haut-Bailly 95–96 Medium-deep colour. Beautiful blackcurrant pastille violet graphite, roasted chestnut aromas. A lovely refreshing palate with dense blackcurrant pastille, blackberry fruits, very good mid-palate richness, roasted chestnut nuances and persistent al dente tannins. Finishes chalky firm and minerally. Beautiful wine with lovely fruit definition and torque. 65% cabernet sauvignon, 22% merlot, 10% petit verdot, 3% cabernet franc. Château Haut-Brion 95–96 Deep crimson. Intense elderberry, dark cherry, praline aromas. Well concentrated and richly flavoured with dense dark cherry, elderberry fruits, plentiful fine chalky tannins, hint roasted chestnut nuances and fresh juicy acidity. Still elemental but very good balance. Bittersweet notes at the finish. 50% merlot, 12% cabernet franc, 38% cabernet sauvignon. 72% new oak. 13% alc Château La Mission Haut-Brion 94–95 Deep crimson. Lifted blackcurrant, plum graphite aromas with herb garden star anise notes. Inky deep blackberry, dark plum elderberry fruits, graphite chalky textures, cedar oak notes and fresh integrated juicy acidity. Very lively and pure but should settle down with age. 48% merlot, 46% cabernet sauvignon, 6% cabernet franc. 72% new oak. 13% alc Château Smith Haut Lafitte 94–95 Deep crimson. Mulberry, dark cherry, hint praline aromas with sage/ herb garden notes. Concentrated mulberry, dark cherry, blackcurrant brambly flavours, plentiful chewy firm tannins and vanilla oak notes. Elemental wine with very good density and richness of flavour. 63% cabernet sauvignon, 33% merlot 3% cabernet franc, 1% petit verdot. 18 months in French oak (30–60% new). 13% alc Château Le Pape 93–94 Medium-deep crimson. Intense blackcurrant, raspberry aromas with wax polish/vanilla/roasted chestnut notes. Dark and red berry fruits, some praline notes and slinky chalky tannins. Very good mid-palate density and mineral finish. 80% merlot, 20% cabernet sauvignon.

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The Vintage Journal – International Series

Bordeaux 2022

33

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