Pessac-Léognan
Pessac-Léognan (part of the Graves) is an appellation of many different micro-climates due to its proximity to the suburbs of Bordeaux. Some Châteaux are nestled in the forests, whilst others sit amongst residential areas. Overall, the appellation has produced some stellar wines in 2022. Perhaps not as homogenous in quality as its neighbours but the results are very impressive nonetheless.
Les Carmes Haut-Brion has produced a wine that belies the vintage’s heat. It is so fresh and vibrant. They have even managed to keep the alcohol under 14% with some very clever winemaking techniques. It is an extraordinary wine and it was a real pleasure to taste it in their rather magnificent winery.
Haut-Brion and La Mission Haut-Brion are big, rich, tannic wines that will last for decades, but that freshness, the surprising buzzword of the vintage, adds a level of harmony and balance that is quite remarkable. So many layers of complexity to get your head around.
Domaine de Chevalier, both red and white, were a great a success. Again, there is an excellent balance of ripe fruit, freshness and structure.
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L&S Recommendations
L&S 'best buy' recommendations are marked with this symbol .
2022 CHÂTEAU LA MISSION HAUT BRION Cru Classé Pessac-Léognan
Release date: 21/6/2023
A rich and muscular wine that reflects the warmth of the vintage, the 2022 La Mission Haut-Brion reveals aromas of dark berries, cherries and crème de cassis mingled with licorice, spices, incenseA rich and muscular wine that reflects the warmth of the vintage, the 2022 La Mission Haut-Brion reveals aromas of dark berries, cherries and crème de cassis mingled with licorice, spices, incense and spring flowers. Full-bodied, broad and concentrated, it's surprisingly lively despite an elevated pH of 4.0, exhibiting a seamless, broad-shouldered profile with an ample core of fruit framed by rich, powdery tannin. It's a blend of 51.7% Cabernet Sauvignon, 43.2% Merlot and 5.1% Cabernet Franc. Rating: 94-96 Yohan Castaing, www.robertparker.com (Apr 2023)
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2022 LE CLARENCE DE HAUT BRION Pessac-Léognan Château Haut Brion
Release date: 21/6/2023
Dense plush texture, crushed roses, damson puree, orange peel, cocoa beans, baked spices, 32hl/h yields, lowest since 1991.Dense plush texture, crushed roses, damson puree, orange peel, cocoa beans, baked spices, 32hl/h yields, lowest since 1991. Drinking range: 2028 - 2040 Rating: 92 Jane Anson, www.janeanson.com (Apr 2023)
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2022 CHÂTEAU LA MISSION HAUT BRION BLANC Cru Classé Pessac-Léognan
Release date: 21/6/2023
This is an extremely impressive white that has high levels of Sémillon in the blend this year, helped by old vines that resisted the heat well. Gorgeous construction and balance, with precision-cutThis is an extremely impressive white that has high levels of Sémillon in the blend this year, helped by old vines that resisted the heat well. Gorgeous construction and balance, with precision-cut citrus, bitter almond, slate, dill, white pepper spice, a juicy grip through the palate and noble bitterness bringing things to a close. Less 1st wine than last year - 20% less first wine with the same yield; 41% new oak barrels for ageing. Harvest August 17 to 23. Drinking range: 2023 - 2032 Rating: 96 Jane Anson, www.janeanson.com (Jun 2023)
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2022 LA CHAPELLE DE LA MISSION Pessac-Léognan
Release date: 21/6/2023
The fruit seems very dark and ripe, even if it also reveals some herbaceous hints on the nose. This sets the stage for the top wine from La Mission this year in a fairly straightforward and linearThe fruit seems very dark and ripe, even if it also reveals some herbaceous hints on the nose. This sets the stage for the top wine from La Mission this year in a fairly straightforward and linear manner. The quality of both tannins and texture is admirable and the finish remains fresh even if one can feel the alcohol. Rating: 91-93 La Revue du Vin de France (May 2023)
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2022 CHÂTEAU HAUT BRION BLANC Cru Classé Pessac-Léognan
Release date: 21/6/2023
Delivering aromas of peach, sweet orchard fruit, spring flowers and lemon oil, the 2022 Haut-Brion Blanc is a full-bodied wine with a seamless, enveloping profile. Its glossy, textural mid-palateDelivering aromas of peach, sweet orchard fruit, spring flowers and lemon oil, the 2022 Haut-Brion Blanc is a full-bodied wine with a seamless, enveloping profile. Its glossy, textural mid-palate that segues into a sappy, racy finish of crystalline purity. A blend of 51.4% Sémillon and 48.6% Sauvignon Blanc, this wine is fatter and fleshier than the more tensile La Mission Haut-Brion and will in all likelihood offer a broader drinking window. Rating: 93-95 Yohan Castaing, www.robertparker.com (Apr 2023)
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2022 CHÂTEAU HAUT BRION 1er Cru Classé Pessac-Léognan
Release date: 21/6/2023
The 2022 Haut-Brion comes across as a bit restrained, given the natural opulence of the year and the other wines in the Clarence Dillon portfolio. Deep and wonderfully layered, the 2022 possessesThe 2022 Haut-Brion comes across as a bit restrained, given the natural opulence of the year and the other wines in the Clarence Dillon portfolio. Deep and wonderfully layered, the 2022 possesses remarkable depth but also a bit less of the explosive energy that is such a Haut-Brion signature. I suspect that will come in time, as the 2022 starts to show quite a bit better with a little aeration. Violet, gravel, incense, leather, tobacco and scorched earth linger. Superb. Drinking range: 2025 - 2062 Rating: 97-99 Antonio Galloni, www.vinous.com (Apr 2023)
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2022 CHÂTEAU LE THIL Pessac-Léognan
Release date: 19/6/2023
The 2022 Le Thil has a plush, fruity nose with blackcurrant, dried flowers and light cedar aromas. Fine delineation. The palate is medium-bodied with chalky tannins on the entry, black fruit, aThe 2022 Le Thil has a plush, fruity nose with blackcurrant, dried flowers and light cedar aromas. Fine delineation. The palate is medium-bodied with chalky tannins on the entry, black fruit, a little powdery toward the off-dry finish. Drink over the next 8-10 years. Drinking range: 2026 - 2036 Rating: 88-90 Neal Martin, www.vinous.com (May 2023)
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2022 LE PETIT SMITH HAUT LAFITTE Pessac-Léognan
Release date: 19/6/2023
Beautiful nose, blackcurrant, vanilla, caramel, chocolate, tobacco, cherries, crushed stones, blue fruit and bramble fruits. Sleek and straight, nice acidity, but this is quite linear with theBeautiful nose, blackcurrant, vanilla, caramel, chocolate, tobacco, cherries, crushed stones, blue fruit and bramble fruits. Sleek and straight, nice acidity, but this is quite linear with the Cabernet really giving the backbone, length and overall structure. Feels a bit tense, but it does have texture too so it’s not austere or harsh, just strong. Really well built, delivering power no doubt, but keeping a soft juiciness underneath. Very medicinal - clove, liquorice, unmistakable Cabernet speaking here, but feels clean and well worked. Nothing sticking out too much with body, plushness and cool freshness. Good potential, really impressively constructed. 3.7p. Ageing 30% new oak. Drinking range: 2026 - 2040 Rating: 94 Georgie Hindle - Decanter (May 2023)
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2022 CHÂTEAU SMITH HAUT LAFITTE BLANC Cru Classé Pessac-Léognan
Release date: 19/6/2023
This zooms over the palate from the minute you taste it with energetic acidity, grapefruit, pear, lemon and white peach character. Dried, candied lemon. Crushed stone, too. Medium-bodied with polishThis zooms over the palate from the minute you taste it with energetic acidity, grapefruit, pear, lemon and white peach character. Dried, candied lemon. Crushed stone, too. Medium-bodied with polish and class. 90% sauvignon blanc, 5% semillon and 5% sauvignon gris. Rating: 97-98 James Suckling, www.jamessuckling.com (May 2023)
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2022 LE PETIT SMITH HAUT LAFITTE Blanc Pessac-Léognan
Release date: 19/6/2023
Cask sample. Some oak on the nose. Much more reticent nose and fine acidity and quite chewy. Restrained. Energetic with more to it than Les Hauts de Smith but less ready.Cask sample. Some oak on the nose. Much more reticent nose and fine acidity and quite chewy. Restrained. Energetic with more to it than Les Hauts de Smith but less ready. Drinking range: 2026 - 2034 Rating: 16.5+ Jancis Robinson OBE MW - www.JancisRobinson.com (May 2023)
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2022 CHÂTEAU SMITH HAUT LAFITTE Cru Classé Pessac-Léognan
Release date: 19/6/2023
The polish, texture, complexity and patina are very impressive and fascinating. So spicy and interesting with so much going on. Medium body with wonderfully integrated tannins that are cut and nicelyThe polish, texture, complexity and patina are very impressive and fascinating. So spicy and interesting with so much going on. Medium body with wonderfully integrated tannins that are cut and nicely chiselled already. Lemon and violet. 64% cabernet sauvignon, 32% merlot, 3% cabernet franc and 1% petit verdot. Rating: 97-98 James Suckling, www.jamessuckling.com (May 2023)
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2022 CHÂTEAU HAUT BAILLY Cru Classé Pessac-Léognan Château Haut Bailly
Release date: 15/6/2023
Incredible complexity of aromas here with ripe currants and blackberries, but also dried flowers like violets and roses. Then there’s forest flower character such as bark, mushroom and sandalwood.Incredible complexity of aromas here with ripe currants and blackberries, but also dried flowers like violets and roses. Then there’s forest flower character such as bark, mushroom and sandalwood. Black truffles. Full-bodied with tight and chewy tannins that are polished and pure, with a solid and tight finish. It builds on your palate and frames the wine beautifully. 56% cabernet sauvignon, 37% merlot, 5% petit verdot and 2% cabernet franc. Rating: 97-98 James Suckling, www.jamessuckling.com (May 2023)
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2022 HAUT BAILLY II Pessac-Léognan Château Haut Bailly
Release date: 15/6/2023
From the 2022 vintage onwards, Château Le Pape has been integrated into this wine and a third wine. 65% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot. 30% new oak. 14.5%From the 2022 vintage onwards, Château Le Pape has been integrated into this wine and a third wine. 65% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot. 30% new oak. 14.5% alc. 3.8 pH. There is an exciting perfume of racy black and red fruit here, and it is seriously welcoming. But this warm welcome turns into a firm handshake that never lets go on the palate when the fruit and tannins swarm. This is a sensational wine with extraordinary character and density, and the freshness and grip alone are breathtaking. The complexity of the perfume continues to evolve in the glass with roses, violets and peonies, and I have yet to taste another wine with this array of floral beauty. The finely-tuned finish is shockingly pure, underpinning this wine with a crackle of incredible electricity. I would ordinarily say this was bright acidity, but it isn’t. The tension is skin-derived, imbued with fascinating salinity and devastating bitterness. Rating: 17.5+ Matthew Jukes www.matthewjukes.com (May 2023)
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2022 CHÂTEAU PAPE CLEMENT Cru Classé Pessac-Léognan
Release date: 13/6/2023
Deep and intense, but not the full on ink colour that I might have expected. Cocoa bean, fig, rosemary, kirsch, cigar box, black pepper, mint leaf, this ripples with the exuberance of the vintage butDeep and intense, but not the full on ink colour that I might have expected. Cocoa bean, fig, rosemary, kirsch, cigar box, black pepper, mint leaf, this ripples with the exuberance of the vintage but the tannins are firm, musuclar and hold things firmly in place, ensuring a sense of proportion. This walks the line, it is a big wine that absolutely delivers estate signature, and has a clear sense of future potential, with plenty of complexity. Rises to meet the vintage, not overpowered by it. Will age well. Drinking range: 2030 - 2050 Rating: 95 Jane Anson, www.janeanson.com (Apr 2023)
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2022 DOMAINE DE CHEVALIER Cru Classé Pessac-Léognan
Release date: 12/6/2023
The 2022 Domaine de Chevalier was picked from 5-30 September and represents the 40th vintage under the irrepressible Olivier Bernard, who celebrates with a one-off label. It soars from the glass withThe 2022 Domaine de Chevalier was picked from 5-30 September and represents the 40th vintage under the irrepressible Olivier Bernard, who celebrates with a one-off label. It soars from the glass with take-no-prisoner aromatics: perfumed mineral-rich red berry fruit, incense and black truffle. Pessac-like earthiness with an opposing airiness defines many a great wine from this estate. The palate is medium-bodied with grippy tannins. Slightly powdery in texture and saline in the mouth, this gets the saliva flowing. However, the arching structure on the finish suggests it will require considerable bottle age. Cellar this for a couple of decades, and you'll be repaid handsomely. 14% alcohol. Drinking range: 2034 - 2075 Rating: 95-97 Neal Martin, www.vinous.com (Apr 2023)
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2022 DOMAINE DE CHEVALIER Blanc Cru Classé Pessac-Léognan
Release date: 12/6/2023
Touch of reduction on the first nose, intense, gunsmoke-filled aromatics, clearly aimed at extremely long ageing. Great quality, stands out for its serious structure, with clove, aniseed and fennelTouch of reduction on the first nose, intense, gunsmoke-filled aromatics, clearly aimed at extremely long ageing. Great quality, stands out for its serious structure, with clove, aniseed and fennel woven through citrus and white pear, has weight and manages to stay on the savoury side of ripe. Needs time and food. Tasted twice. 40th harvest of Olivier Bernard (meaning a special label), 33% new oak. Drinking range: 2023 - 2032 Rating: 94 Jane Anson, www.janeanson.com (Apr 2023)
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2022 CHÂTEAU MALARTIC LAGRAVIÈRE Blanc Cru Classé Pessac-Léognan
Release date: 7/6/2023
The white wine of Malartic-Lagravière is as usual dominated by sauvignon (76%). The profile is very aromatic with notes of flowers such as acacia and honeysuckle, as well as honey. The texture andThe white wine of Malartic-Lagravière is as usual dominated by sauvignon (76%). The profile is very aromatic with notes of flowers such as acacia and honeysuckle, as well as honey. The texture and flavours on the palate echo the suave character of the aromas, producing a very friendly, savoury, long and elegant wine that should be ready to drink quite early. Rating: 92-93 La Revue du Vin de France (May 2023)
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2022 CHÂTEAU MALARTIC LAGRAVIÈRE Cru Classé Pessac-Léognan
Release date: 7/6/2023
The colour is deep and the nose shows flattering aromas of flowers and spice. The palate is distinguished and lively, even if the acidity is not that present: it builds in a supple manner and hasThe colour is deep and the nose shows flattering aromas of flowers and spice. The palate is distinguished and lively, even if the acidity is not that present: it builds in a supple manner and has good length down to the finish. Malartic 2022 has managed to find good balance between full body and elegant texture. It already seems friendly and accessible, which is what one wants from a classified growth from Graves. Rating: 93-95 La Revue du Vin de France (May 2023)
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2022 CHÂTEAU LES CARMES HAUT BRION Cru Classé Pessac-Léognan
Release date: 7/6/2023
The remarkable 2022 Les Carmes Haut-Brion is a strong candidate for the title of wine of the vintage. It's also one of the most singular, characterful wines being produced in the region today.The remarkable 2022 Les Carmes Haut-Brion is a strong candidate for the title of wine of the vintage. It's also one of the most singular, characterful wines being produced in the region today. Unfurling in the glass with complex aromas of blackberries and cherries mingled with notions of exotic spices, orange zest, pencil lead, rose petals and vine smoke, it's medium to full-bodied, deep and concentrated, with a velvety attack that segues into a layered, seamless and multidimensional mid-palate framed by rich, powdery tannins. Pure, perfumed and penetrating, this blend of 40% Cabernet Franc, 34% Cabernet Sauvignon and 26% Merlot is a brilliant success that caps a decade of relentless work by Guillaume Pouthier and his team that have seen Les Carmes Haut-Brion emerge as one of Bordeaux's leading estates. It checks in at a mere 13.5% alcohol, with a very healthy pH of 3.64. Rating: 99-100 Yohan Castaing, www.robertparker.com (Apr 2023)
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2022 CHÂTEAU LATOUR MARTILLAC Cru Classé Pessac-Léognan
Release date: 23/5/2023
The fruit aromas are pure and calm, typical of cabernet sauvignon which comprises 50% of the blend alongside 42% of merlot and 8% of petit verdot. The substance is elegantly drawn in a polished,The fruit aromas are pure and calm, typical of cabernet sauvignon which comprises 50% of the blend alongside 42% of merlot and 8% of petit verdot. The substance is elegantly drawn in a polished, gentle style with discreet acidity. One can feel the alcohol from time to time but the wine stays on line in a fine, classical manner whose full body is free of anything excessive or angular, true to the approach of recent years. Rating: 92-94 La Revue du Vin de France (May 2023)
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2022 CHÂTEAU LATOUR MARTILLAC Blanc Cru Classé Pessac-Léognan
Release date: 23/5/2023
52% Sauvignon Blanc, 48% Sémillon. Cask sample. Still quite cloudy. Low-key nose. Then quite a strict, dry palate. Very refreshing and lively. Verging on the Sancerre style favoured by Cheval Blanc52% Sauvignon Blanc, 48% Sémillon. Cask sample. Still quite cloudy. Low-key nose. Then quite a strict, dry palate. Very refreshing and lively. Verging on the Sancerre style favoured by Cheval Blanc and Lafleur! May age better than some. Distinctive and quite long. 13.5% Drinking range: 2025 - 2030 Rating: 16.5 Jancis Robinson OBE MW - www.JancisRobinson.com (May 2023)
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