The best Pessac-Léognan & Graves 2022 in bottle

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>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>

Dark and brooding aromatics on the nose - blackcurrants, cherries and plums with mint and graphite accents too. Smooth and so juicy, glorious and joyful on the palate - it bursts with ripe red berry fruit that has a touch of crushed stones and fruit flesh giving a textured mouthfeel. Just feels so enjoyable and really quite approachable now. Fruity, soft, svelte - there's sinew but no heaviness. It's sleek and sophisticated, confident but not showy - almost understated. Really fantastic, where LMHB carries a spiced vein with more heat, this is more relaxed and open. Calm and generous in terms of fruit purity with well integrated tannins and wood. Wonderful. Has a delicate charm, layered but really finely presented. 3.83pH. 63% new oak.

Wonderful aromatics on the nose - chocolate, tobacco, blackcurrants, figs and strawberries. Clean and crystalline, such a lovely texture to the wine - beautifully refined, the tannins super fine but coating the palate in a layer of chalky powder and leaving a fine mineral grip on the tongue. Well constructed, certainly not plush or heavy, this is straight and streamlined, svelte but with power running underneath and the muscles flexing towards the finish giving a flash of heat and grippy spice. There's tension but it comes across as more energetic than making the wine feel compact. I love the salty, crushed stone and graphite touch on the finish. Nothing is out of place. Very much like its Primeurs sample. 3.95pH. 62% new oak.

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 juicy so you get both a crunchy bite to the fruit as well as a soft pillowy texture on the palate. Round, focused and really finessed but delivering so much flavour. Not overdone at all, this is restrained - almost lightweight - letting the crystalline fruit, acidity and integrated tannins speak clearly. Harmonised and balanced still with tension and poise. A real joy with plenty of ageing potential.

Wonderful scents of sweet red berries - wild strawberries with perfumed floral notes - smells expressive and appealing. Sumptuous and smooth, this leans into the vintage in terms of the depth and richness of the body but the tannins are beautifully fine and this has a streamlined core of very cool and fresh blueberries and plums with cola and wet stone accents. It's very controlled and elegant - supremely finessed with each element harmonised to the others. Still a little quiet in terms of acidity, less openly vibrant and uplifting than some, with flashes of heat and menthol spice on the finish. The texture is brilliant it's just a little potent still.

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.

An evocative nose full of fragrant blue and purple fruits with lots of floral aromatics - some cherry, cola, tobacco, aniseed and violets. Smooth and so succulent, an excellent weight in the mouth with the most uplifting acidity, juicy fruit and signature terroir markers of graphite, stones, pencil lead and oyster shell minerality. I love this. So finessed yet still packing plenty of flavour and depth. Extremely refined. A wine that has relaxed since Primeurs, becoming soft and just so appealing to drink. Really excellent. First vintage in the new cellars and with consultant Axel Marchal. New label also as of this vintage.

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 buzz and tang to the expression - almost like citrus sherbert. Clean and precise, both filling and lively with a crisp finish full of strawberries, blueberries, cold, liquorice, slate and mint. This has relaxed a little since Primeurs but kept the bite and interest. Very yummy and you don't feel the 15% alcohol although the number alone may put some off.

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 chalky grain that gives a feeling of fullness in the mouth. Crushed velvet tannins, plum and red cherry fruit with a touch of cola, aniseed and salty minerality on the finish. Really well formed, already quite appealing and accessible. Succulent and juicy but with lots of complexity too. Great stuff.

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 while the bright red, juicy berry fruit adds lift. There's still some tension to this - it drives in a straight line from start to finish with crushed stones, graphite and cola accenting the finish. Still feels a little shy but I love the styling and precision to the elements. A flash of heat and spice on the finish puts the vintage into the picture and suggests waiting a little longer to enjoy this but it's very nice.

Redcurrants, cherries, vanilla, cola and chocolate on the nose. This is nicely concentrated with filling tannins but a streamlined frame - tons of energy and focus. There's still some tension here, it's not super expansive, more sleek and straight but there's nice detail to the clean blue fruit and bite on the finish with a lingering minerality and soft cedar spice. Feels quietly confident but needs more time to relax.

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 plums with strawberries too. Already quite smooth and calm on the palate, the tannins softly expand in the mouth with a powdery texture and lovely blue fruit flavours towards the finish with mint and subtle spice as well as clear salty graphite elements. Feels well controlled, cooling and complete. Given some air this will be great to drink and enjoy soon.

Cool blue fruit, salty stones and liquorice - smells fresh and scented. Ripe and concentrated, the chewy tannins are at the fore, straight away giving the depth and frame while the blueberries and cherries linger in the background with a slight chalky sensation on the tongue. Feels a little less lively than some, more so because the frame is quite imposing, but I do like the muscular style as there's so much definition. Precision and poise but not so immediately accessible. The ending is a bit restricted and it doesn't flow as well as others yet there's no faulting the construction in terms of focus and classicism.

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 create a silky texture without heaviness. It has energy and forward motion, balancing purity and precision. The Carmes signature shines through - pure fruit, supple tannins, and a long, elegant body. Flavours of cherry, damson plum, and redcurrant lead to a mineral, oyster-shell finish with a subtle salty tang. Both fresh and age-worthy, this is a beautifully framed, dynamic wine that leaves you wanting more. One of the best second wines. I love this. 31% whole bunch fermented.