Château Haut-Bergey 2023

Herb-spiced and red-fruited on the nose, fresh on the palate, light-footed, not particularly complex but well balanced, with a saline, slightly bitter finish.

I know that some readers may scratch their heads, seeing that I prefer the Rollan de By to this one. But I detect too much oak extraction here, with tannins that lack optimal ripeness. Aged in 30 hl casks, 750 l terracotta amphoras and 18 hl tanks.

53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Cabernet Franc, 12% Merlot and 8% Petit Verdot. Cask sample. Dark fruit with a hint of toast. Supple and round on attack. Plenty of freshness. Refined tannins adding a light but present structure. Subtle and contained. (JL)

Using less oak for the aging, the wine shows more elegance, with additional purity in its character. The wine is soft, fruity, ripe, and elegant, with a smoky edge to the cherries in the finish. Drink from 2026-2040. 90-92 Pts.

Medium-intensity ruby red, fresh on-the-edge-of-ripe redcurrant and blueberry fruits, rose stems, tomato leaf, currently struggling to soften the tannic architecture.

Score: 92–94. A bright, approachable nose of crunchy blueberries and sweet raspberries, with a more powdery hint of iris root. Just as airy on the palate—delicious and lively—the wine shows delicate freshness, all finesse and elegance. Even the tannins bow to this exquisite politeness.