The best Pessac-Léognan & Graves 2022 in bottle
The size and varying terroirs of Pessac and Graves have delivered a host of good quality wines in different styles ranging from dense and opulent to focused and fresh. Many drinkable wines are worth seeking out from here including two standout 100-point wines.
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Pessac-Léognan and Graves suffered from it all in 2022 including frost, bordering wildfires and serious drought.
Vineyards received the least amount of rain from veraison to harvest compared to the other major appellations, as much as -50.7% compared to the 10 year average.
Scroll down for the top-rated Pessac-Léognan & Graves 2022 in bottle
Hot but balanced
It also had the hottest summer temperatures meaning irrigation was exceptionally permitted as a recourse to battle the elements.
Of course not all vines suffered the same so expect wines covering a multitude of styles from opulent and heady to lean and tense depending on the terroir.
The best have a wonderful vein of zesty acidity which counters the concentration.
Alcohols are generally low with a handful of wines at 14.5% and only one at 15% of the ones I tasted.
A top duo
My top two wines, in very different styles, were the 100-point Château Smith Haut Lafitte and Château Les Carmes Haut-Brion, both of which wowed in their own way.
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Smith’s is broad and powerful with plump fruit and persistent salinity, while Les Carmes is concentrated yet full of energy, focus and finesse.
Both wines present the signature of their estates with exceptional winemaking on show.
Château Haut-Brion and Château La Mission Haut-Brion were both impressive, with the former presenting an almost understated expression, it was more relaxed and open compared to LMHB at this point.
Both will be extremely enjoyable in a few years and will age well.
Mineral markers
For me, wines displaying terroir markers of minerality, salty stone, slate and graphite were particularly enjoyable.
These include the wonderful Domaine de Chevalier with richness and power but silky smooth tannins and bite as well as the rising-star estate Château La Garde with its limestone soils imparting succulent acidity with energy and tension.
Château Haut Bailly and Château Malartic Lagravière were also impressive.
I think that Château Trigant is a top buy and Domaine de la Solitude is another great pick to enjoy now.
All Pessac & Graves 2022 in bottle scores
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Tasting notes for all 800 Bordeaux 2022s
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BORDEAUX 2022 IN BOTTLE SCORE TABLE: Top-scoring wines with 93 points or above
Individual appellation analysis and top-scoring wines
Pauillac 2022 | Margaux 2022 | St-Julien 2022 | St-Estèphe 2022 | Pomerol 2022 | St-Emilion 2022 | Cru Bourgeois 2022 | Dry and Sweet whites 2022 | Best value 2022
Top-rated Pessac-Léognan & Graves 2022 in bottle
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Château Smith Haut Lafitte, Pessac-Léognan, Cru Classé de Graves, Bordeaux, France, 2022

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...
2022
BordeauxFrance
Château Smith Haut LafittePessac-Léognan
Château Les Carmes Haut-Brion, Pessac-Léognan, Bordeaux, France, 2022

<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...
2022
BordeauxFrance
Château Les Carmes Haut-BrionPessac-Léognan
Château Haut-Brion, Pessac-Léognan, 1er Cru Classé, Bordeaux, France, 2022
Dark and brooding aromatics on the nose - blackcurrants, cherries and plums with mint and graphite accents too. Smooth and so juicy, glorious and joyful...
2022
BordeauxFrance
Château Haut-BrionPessac-Léognan
Château La Mission Haut-Brion, Pessac-Léognan, Cru Classé de Graves, Bordeaux, France, 2022

Wonderful aromatics on the nose - chocolate, tobacco, blackcurrants, figs and strawberries. Clean and crystalline, such a lovely texture to the wine - beautifully refined,...
2022
BordeauxFrance
Château La Mission Haut-BrionPessac-Léognan
Château Malartic-Lagravière, Pessac-Léognan, Cru Classé de Graves, Bordeaux, France, 2022
Gorgeous fragrant red berry fruit on the nose, a touch of dried herbs and graphite. So super charming straight away, this is gorgeous. Creamy and...
2022
BordeauxFrance
Château Malartic-LagravièrePessac-Léognan
Château Haut-Bailly, Pessac-Léognan, Cru Classé de Graves, Bordeaux, France, 2022

Wonderful scents of sweet red berries - wild strawberries with perfumed floral notes - smells expressive and appealing. Sumptuous and smooth, this leans into the...
2022
BordeauxFrance
Château Haut-BaillyPessac-Léognan
Domaine de Chevalier, Pessac-Léognan, Cru Classé de Graves, Bordeaux, France, 2022

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...
2022
BordeauxFrance
Domaine de ChevalierPessac-Léognan
Château La Garde, Pessac-Léognan, Bordeaux, France, 2022
An evocative nose full of fragrant blue and purple fruits with lots of floral aromatics - some cherry, cola, tobacco, aniseed and violets. Smooth and...
2022
BordeauxFrance
Château La GardePessac-Léognan
Château Couhins-Lurton, Pessac-Léognan, Cru Classé de Graves, Bordeaux, France, 2022

Warm, sun-kissed fruit and toasted spices on the nose. Rich and concentrated fruit - clearly ripe but more red fruit with high acidity giving a...
2022
BordeauxFrance
Château Couhins-LurtonPessac-Léognan
Château Bouscaut, Pessac-Léognan, Cru Classé de Graves, Bordeaux, France, 2022
Liquorice and cool blue fruit aromas on the nose. Fresh and fruity, a lovely crystalline texture in terms of fruit purity but with a soft...
2022
BordeauxFrance
Château BouscautPessac-Léognan
Château Larrivet Haut-Brion, Pessac-Léognan, Bordeaux, France, 2022
Highly aromatic and fragrant nose full of dark berry fruits, dried flowers and chocolate. Well sculpted on the palate, tannins give the frame and strength...
2022
BordeauxFrance
Château Larrivet Haut-BrionPessac-Léognan
Château La Louvière, Pessac-Léognan, Bordeaux, France, 2022
Redcurrants, cherries, vanilla, cola and chocolate on the nose. This is nicely concentrated with filling tannins but a streamlined frame - tons of energy and...
2022
BordeauxFrance
Château La LouvièrePessac-Léognan
Château Brown, Pessac-Léognan, Bordeaux, France, 2022

Coffee, black chocolate and liquorice tones on the nose. Spiced, deep and rich aromas, but not too hot. Lively and focused, bright red cherries and...
2022
BordeauxFrance
Château BrownPessac-Léognan
Château Pape Clément, Pessac-Léognan, Cru Classé de Graves, Bordeaux, France, 2022
Cool blue fruit, salty stones and liquorice - smells fresh and scented. Ripe and concentrated, the chewy tannins are at the fore, straight away giving...
2022
BordeauxFrance
Château Pape ClémentPessac-Léognan
Château Les Carmes Haut-Brion, C des Carmes, Pessac-Léognan, Bordeaux, France, 2022
Seductive and deeply perfumed, this wine bursts with blackcurrants, cherries, and subtle spice. The crystalline acidity is immediately fresh and bright, while soft, delicate tannins...
2022
BordeauxFrance
Château Les Carmes Haut-BrionPessac-Léognan