Château Haut-Brion 2022

Compared to En Primeur, noticeably more open, very profound, wonderfully floral, with plenty of violets, dark berry fruit, ginger and black tea; on the palate, of the greatest elegance, the wine shows density and structure, with fine-grained tannins and a finesse that is second to none. It will be a joy at every stage of its life.

This is one of the deepest Haut‑Brions I have encountered in a long time. The muscular structure takes you down, delivering a long and rather endless finish. Full-bodied with lots of flavor, particularly fruits such as currants as well as black truffles, cedar, walnuts and dark mushrooms. Some dried thyme and crushed stones also. Better give this eight to 10 years. This will improve for decades. Try after 2030.

Tasted blind. Classy Cabernet on the nose. Then freshness and silky texture. Lovely stuff! So long. Reverberates on the finish. Classic build. (JR)

The 2022 Haut-Brion has a wonderful bouquet with mineral-infused black fruit, cedar and dried violet, the oak exquisitely enmeshed. The palate is silky smooth on the entry, beautifully balanced as the tannins caress the palate. Pitch perfect acidity, bright and energetic, fans out with confidence and brio on the finish. Outstanding. Tasted blind at the Southwold tasting in London.

The wine begins with an aromatic display of flowers, cigar box, currants, cherries, smoke, and burning wood, with only a subtle hint of espresso. The palate balances power, intense concentration, and elegance. Fresh, soft, energetic, and silky, the striking purity of the fruits with their smoky edge must be experienced. The seamless finish lingers for 60 seconds or more. It will be interesting for future generations to compare 2022 HB with 2022 LMHB over the coming decades. Regardless of which wine you choose, IMO, they are only 1 point apart, and that's today. Tomorrow could be different. The wine blends 52% Cabernet Sauvignon, 43% Merlot, and 5% Cabernet Franc. Drink from 2030-2065.

Deep dark ruby in colour with an opaque core, purple reflections, and subtle brightening on the rim. On the nose, aromas of fine herbs, fine oak spice, black cherry, fruits of the forest, and a subtle hint of cassis, and nougat caramel. The palate is juicy, and finely meshed with a fresh structure, very refined and balanced, with pronounced, ripe tannins, lively and stimulating with red cherry fruit on the saline finish, a promising future. (1/2025, PM).

The depth and concentration are clear. Cocoa bean, espresso, gingerbread spice, all as you would expect in this type of vintage, but given restraint and understated finesse by mint leaf, pomegranate, mandarin peel, a gathering of lightness, nuance and grace. Exceptional quality, give it plenty of time because these are muscular tannins, and this is a wine that will go the distance and then some. Jean-Philippe Masclef technical director, Jean-Philippe Delmas director.

From the very first sniff, the wine asserts its seriousness and remarkable finesse, like a hunt rider in the midst of a forest, its mount crushing wild berries under its galloping feet. Scents of undergrowth rise, intertwined with subtle sap notes. Little by little, the wine settles, revealing calmer hints of graphite. On the palate, it shows immense, concentrated depth, like a coiled spring ready to release. Spices tingle the insides of the cheeks, then the wine unfolds a second life after the tasting: a soaring wave of sandalwood, mocha, and an extra touch of spice. A wine of exceptional length that will require time to express all its majesty.

The freshness and precision revealed from the outset set the tone. They lay the groundwork with mastery and calm, rich in nuances dedicated to subtlety and high definition. Dense yet fine on the attack, the wine unfolds with improbable serenity. It is powerful, deep, clear-sighted, and fully aware of its strengths. It settles in comfortably and is carried by a quiet force, namely perfectly integrated tannins that not only provide structure but also deliver extraordinary freshness while carefully stretching the finish. Certainly one of the great successes of the vintage.

The nose is aromatic, with balanced concentration and a powerful yet elegant, straightforward, and racy grain, showing depth, refined darkness, and perfectly balanced density. It reveals notes of boysenberry, fairly ripe to even bright small red berries, and, more lightly, roasted small fruits, joined by fine hints of plum, chocolate, violet, a subtle touch of lily, cubeb pepper, iodine, and a very discreet almost warm pine-needle hint. The palate is beautifully guided, supple, delicate, airy, gourmand, deep, with finesse, precision, an airy creaminess, richness, and texture without any heaviness, all in balance. It expresses notes of creamy blackberry, strawberry, and, more lightly, vibrant/finely tangy small red fruits, combined with touches of chocolate and roasted almond, as well as a hint of crushed blue plum and vanilla. Good length. The tannins are plush, gourmand, creamy, even finely chalky. An elegant, indulgent wine with roundness. Very fine tannin quality with a delicate iodine note in the background. Very persistent finish.

Deep, dark colour. An intense, refined, fruity, smoky nose—rarely seen such a distinctive identity at such a young age. With aeration, it takes on notes of black fruit, hearth in the fireplace and a hint of resin. Superb! Broad on the attack, complex through the mid-palate, with plenty of flavour and a fine, silky richness that coats the palate, the wine evolves very slowly on a tight-knit structure, leading to a powerful, deep finish. Particularly good, with a unique aromatic profile and real punch for a Pessac Léognan.

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 with a touch of crushed stones and fruit flesh giving a textured mouthfeel. Just 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. It has a delicate charm, layered but very finely presented. pH 3.83. 63% new oak.

96-98 Barrel sample. The wine has a powerful structure and dense tannins. There is fine acidity, certainly, but also a solid structure with concentrated texture and power. The black fruits are set to age well.