Bordeaux 2022: Wines from a superb vintage revisited in bottle

<p>A vintage of precision and aromatic purity, this is one of the finest Angélus wines ever made. A blend of 60% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Franc, the nose is heady and complex, filled with dark chocolate, cherries, blackcurrants, violets, and rose. On the palate, it’s silky, scintillating, and fresh, with a crystalline clarity and balance that feels almost effortless. Chalky yet creamy tannins add depth, while flashes of heat and liquorice spice on the finish bring structure and length. Juicy, deep, and incredibly moreish, this dances across the palate with finesse and vibrancy. A wine of energy, persistence, and sheer sophistication. 100% new oak (50% Cab Franc in foudre). 3.7 pH. 75 IPT. Organic.&nbsp;</p>

<p>This wowed during Primeurs and it has maintained its promise now it's been bottled. Gloriously alive with a beautifully expressive nose - dark fruit, liquorice and floral scents. The energy on the palate is incredible - this pulses with life given the high acidity and juicy red berry fruit but this also has a touch of creaminess alongside softly fleshy tannins that give the weight and structure. There's power and concentration but almost hidden underneath the cooling freshness and such charming texture. Effortless winemaking on show, taking the best of the vintage in terms of ripeness but delivering a seriously sophisticated expression that is just so moreish. I love it. A perfect wine.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The best La Conseillante I’ve tasted. Intensely fragrant: blackcurrants, cherries, roses, violets. Juicy, bright and alive, with acidity lifting the expression. Many Pomerols bring power and spice; this is relaxed and silky, with summer berries and a cooling finish of blueberries, liquorice, crushed stones, slate and minty cola. A captivating wine in which every element sings in harmony. Vibrant, joyful and delicious now, but destined to age beautifully. Effortless winemaking from Marielle Cazeau. 85% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc.</p>

<p>Deep, dark and restrained, offering cool black fruit with hints of cocoa and sea spray minerality. Poised and perfumed, it glides across the palate with Lafite’s signature elegance. Tannins gently frame the red fruit, achieving seamless balance. Subtle yet commanding, with layers of refinement, depth and completeness, and a minty, stony, crystalline purity. A masterpiece of understatement and precision. I love this wine. 94% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Merlot, 1% Petit Verdot. Organic.</p>

<p>Deep and brooding, this wine is beautifully floral with violets, irises, and peonies alongside ripe black cherries, liquorice, and dark chocolate. Concentrated yet bursting with energy, it flows effortlessly across the palate. Vibrant red fruits - strawberry, cherry, raspberry - sit atop a mineral backbone of salty, wet stones. Crisp yet powdery tannins and bright acidity give incredible tension. Despite its depth, it feels almost weightless, so drinkable yet built to age. Pure, pristine, and vibrant, with no trace of heat - just balance and finesse. Juicy, lively, and utterly compelling. A true expression of place and a sure-fire hit. 70% whole bunch fermented. Two years ageing, 80% new oak, 10% big 20hl vats and 10% amphora. 3.55pH. 40% Cabernet Franc, 34% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26% Merlot.</p>

Deep and evocative, this bursts with blackcurrants, milk chocolate and floral perfume. Instantly captivating, the palate is silky yet structured, with tannins seamlessly supporting vibrant red and black berries. Broad and powerful, yet it glides, showcasing Cabernet’s structure, Merlot’s generosity and cool spiced fruit. A mineral core adds complexity, with flint-like nuances. A masterclass in power and balance – and unmistakably Smith. 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot. Organic.

<p>Shiny and striking, this delights from the first sip giving a burst of strawberry and citrus acidity before salty minerality comes in the form of chalky tannins, graphite, pencil lead and slate. Really quite mineral. It's sleek and classically styled, no overt ripeness of fruit although there's concentration in the frame and power that thrusts the flavours forward. Detailed and joyous, it's pent up with muscles and tension but where other wines are showcasing that brawn now, this also delivers a ton of juicy acidity and lift which makes this so joyful. I love it. 78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Franc.</p>

A heady nose of sun-kissed fruit, tobacco, dried herbs and floral notes. Bright acidity gives energy and excitement, lifting the fruit profile. Tension and persistence come through with liquorice, aniseed and graphite, while ripe strawberries and cherries add charm. Salty, chalky tannins shape the finish. Clean, precise and already enjoyable, yet built for ageing. A flawless wine that has maintained its promise from the en primeur tastings, effortlessly showcasing ripeness and sophistication.

Crushed velvet smoothness and almost weightless purity. Gorgeous aromatics – wild flowers, bramble fruit and soft cinnamon. Bright berry fruit, salty mineral touches and a hint of liquorice create charm and depth. This exudes Margaux elegance with bounce, finesse and fleshiness. Already so enjoyable but built to develop further. An utterly delicious wine that captures the essence of the vintage.

Expressive and evocative, with ripe strawberries, cola, wet stones, liquorice and roses. Glossy and intense, packed with blackcurrant, cherry, blueberry and strawberry. The tannins have a salty edge, adding structure. Tension and focus define this wine, with a streamlined core lifted by crystalline acidity. Delicate, precise and balanced. A long, lingering finish shows gentle winemaking and deft ageing. Beautifully composed, this is an outstanding, must-have wine.

Fragrant and softly sweet notes on the nose with strawberries, vanilla cream and dried herbs. A glorious celebration of silky smooth tannins, red berry fruit, crystalline minerality and soft spices. The tannins feel almost weightless, with the focus on the intense fruit flavours and searing freshness. A shot of sweet red cherry and mouthwatering acidity gives a sense of fun before turning to black chocolate, tobacco, slate, aniseed and cinnamon towards the finish. A beauty.

Wonderfully aromatic and expressive, with dark fruit, floral scents, chocolate, cinnamon and liquorice. Smooth, svelte, bursting with energy. Juicy strawberries and cherries have crunch from fine tannins and mineral edges. Calm and controlled, yet quietly powerful. Fruit and oak emerge over time, layering chalky, powdery, ripe, spiced and fresh textures. Ends as joyously as it starts, and very moreish.

Tobacco, pencil lead, rubber, violets, dark chocolate, vanilla, cinnamon and mint. Silky, smooth and glossy, with depth but no heaviness. Piercingly fresh with a tang of liquorice and flint. Not fully open, narrowing towards the finish but exuding class. Acidity is excellent. While there are lots of impressive 2022s, this makes you sit up, take note and then drink the whole glass. A wine that makes you smile.

Seductive aromatics of blackcurrants, damsons, liquorice, tobacco and clove. Powerful yet balanced, with sinewy tannins, crisp acidity and razor-sharp precision. Slate, graphite, dark chocolate and espresso add depth. Outstanding value for Pauillac, delivering structure and longevity. Compact, but built to age beautifully.

Rich and robust on the nose, so floral and alive with cumin, cinnamon and juicy red fruit. Delicious, moreish and full of life. Structured with sharp acidity that counters the fruit beautifully. Smooth, ripe tannins pulse with power and energy. Juicy and succulent yet precise, with raspberry, tobacco, liquorice and slate notes. An exuberant, singular style, mouthwatering. Still only beginning to show its potential.

Heady floral aromatics and vibrant black fruit. Gorgeous succulence and energy. It's not shouting, not too high in acidity or too fleshy, but a great combination of plush and filling tannins, cool blue fruit, ripe red fruit, crystalline minerality and subtle spices. Smooth and clean, elegant and confident. Approachable with detail and finesse to the elements. Juicy, bright, clean, seductive, powerful, captivating – utterly satisfying.

Generously textured, this is softly chewy, plush, chalky and grippy – the ripe, concentrated blackcurrants and cherries really fill the mouth, while the tannins provide the firm yet wide frame. Great finesse and detail on show, persistent and energetic with layers of freshness and finishing with a cool mint and liquorice tang. Lovely integration of wood – almost no overt oak spice or sense of alcohol. Definitely deserves its place as one of the best 2022 Pomerols.

Heady scents of perfumed fruit, liquorice, crushed stone and mint. Delicate on the palate – nothing sticks out. Refined and sophisticated, with a slow expansion of flavours and a cushioning texture. So charming and understated, this delivers with none of the excess of the vintage. Wonderful.

Dark, brooding, perfumed nose of liquorice, bitter chocolate and blackcurrants. Juicy and filling, with wonderful texture, depth and balance. Salty, mineral finish with crisp edges adding tension. Smooth yet structured, with acidity and texture in harmony. A delicious, ready-to-drink wine that shouldn’t be missed.

Strongly scented with florals and dark purple fruit. Glossy and ripe, its fruit pulsing with energy. Juicy acidity and stony minerality add depth and tension. Nuanced, vibrant and expressive, extending vertically with precision and finesse. A really delicious wine that's fresh and full of personality while still having a powerful backbone.

Lovely aromatic profile with seriously perfumed scents of red berry fruit, roses, clove and dried herbs. Hints of the vintage come through in the ripe fruit with just chewy tannins while the freshness appears from high acidity with a salty tang on the finish. This combines power and push with energy and focus creating a layered and characterful wine. It's still a touch serious - lots of sticky liquorice, clove, bitter chocolate, tobacco and aniseed spice but delivers intensity and appeal in equal measure. Wait for a few years before opening.

Delicately fragrant, with purple flowers, berry fruit and touches of exotic spices. Sleek and svelte on the palate, this has a calm confidence about it, the flavours driving in one line from start to finish. I love the chalky texture and the purity of fruit. Gentle, not pushed too hard, with plenty of easy enjoyment to be had. Fresh, cool and moreish. Really overdelivers for its price.

Dark, heavily scented nose. Juicy, fresh and energetic, this is lively and clean with such energy. Tangy tannins support blackcurrant, bitter chocolate, orange, lemon and blackcurrant leaf. Electric and focused with a pristine texture and toasted aspects on the finish giving depth, elongated power and force. A serious wine with immense promise, and an estate that deserves to be better known.

Glossy and shiny, with lots of energy to the clean red berry fruit and slightly mineral-edged tannins. Easy to enjoy, this is smooth and round. More direct than overly plush or wide, but with great persistence to a long finish. The purity of the fruit and acidity give this strong appeal even at this early stage.

Highly floral with crayon, wet stone, iron and blue fruit aromas. Tense and energetic, with reverberating acidity and wild vibrancy. Bright strawberry, sour cherry and ripe blackcurrant create a thrilling contrast. The core has tension yet maintains elegance and finesse, and a hint of spice and cooling mint lingers, keeping everything fresh. Streamlined yet complex, this leaves an incredible impression that lasts for minutes.

Cool blueberries and milk chocolate notes on the nose. Excellent detail and weight in the mouth – the tannins are super-fine, supporting the bright, juicy and almost sweet berry fruit with joyful acidity that really gives a tang. Ends crystalline and powdery with pencil lead touches. Supremely well balanced and easy to enjoy, with lingering notes of liquorice, clove and cola. Cool and fresh but with plenty of power and Médoc punch.

Lively, fresh and open with lots of clear and clean red berry fruit and salty, stone-edged tannins. Sleek and svelte, nice energy and focus; not plush or overtly powerful. Has definitely lost its en primeur heft and become slightly lighter and more appealing, with energy and vibrancy, yet you still know it has muscles and will age well.

Lovely scents of dark chocolate, blackcurrants and freshly picked flowers on the nose. Smooth and so juicy – this has silky tannins and tons of bright acidity. Crystalline red berry fruit, slightly chalky tannins and some graphite notes on the finish, with hints of mint, espresso and mocha. Delicious, easygoing and approachable now. One to seek out.

Floral and dark chocolate scents with black berries. Beautifully textured, with grippy tannins, pure fruit and high acidity. Plush, just-chewy blackcurrants and cherries, dark chocolate, liquorice and salty stones. Lifted, minty menthol finish. Balanced, harmonious and confident, nothing overdone. A clear upgrade from en primeur and a standout second wine.

Dark fragrance of cinnamon, clove, violets and dark cherries. A sweetly scented touch of ripe strawberries and cherries. Smooth and clean with a pristine quality to the fruit and tannins. Juicy and vibrant, it really zings on the tongue, finishing with hints of wet stone, flint and graphite. Maintains tension while offering immediate pleasure. A lovely salty touch on the end.