Château Maucaillou 2022

Bright and lively, this has a nicely lifted frame with clear strawberry and blueberry fruit that has an almost creamy texture. A touch of vanilla and cinnamon adds nuance while the flavors run from start to finish in a streamlined manner. This doesn’t take itself too seriously and instead offers plenty of juiciness, lift, and charm. A really nice, accessible wine that takes the heat of the vintage but portrays it with finesse and charm.

The 2022 Maucaillou offers notable immediacy. Black fruit, leather, chocolate, spice and licorice are front and center. Ideally, it would be nice to see a bit more persistence on the mid-palate and finish, with a touch more freshness as well.

Medium-bodied, with loads of black currants, tobacco leaves, and herbs, the wine is already open and delivering a tasty blast of fruits, with a hint of peppery spice and herbs in the finish. Drink from 2025-2038.

Deep dark ruby-garnet colour with an opaque core and purple reflections, with subtle brightening at the rim. Black forest fruits, hints of liquorice, fresh cherries, orange zest. Taut, blackberry-driven palate with integrated, firm tannins, mineral notes, dark chocolate on the finish, shows some length and definite ageing potential.

This is an exuberant vintage at Maucaillou, showing width and depth through the mid-palate, with silky tannins. It has charm and impact, with raspberry bud notes and tight tannins on the finish.

A warm, vibrant bouquet of dark fruits and fern, while spices bring their aromatic richness with slightly oriental notes. Smooth and caressing, the palate is structured by velvety tannins, still a touch austere. A ripe, dense finish.

The nose is spicy and benefits from decanting. It reveals notes of blackberry and clove and, more subtly, spices, with fine touches of pepper, discreet hints of spice and a subtle undergrowth note. On the palate, the wine is nicely handled, supple, fresh, with minerality, a fresh backbone and tension. It displays notes of fresh raspberry, fleshy/juicy red berries and, more lightly, a racy minerality, combined with touches of violet and cherry, as well as fine hints of tobacco and clove. A little on the lean side. A fruity, fresh and juicy wine with a certain breadth to its freshness.

The 2022 Château Maucaillou is based on 61% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, and 4% Petit Verdot that spent 18 months in barrel. It has a slightly modern, well-oaked nose of darker currants, sappy flowers, and violets. This carries to a medium- to full-bodied Moulis that has plenty of richness and depth, building tannins, and a good finish. Give it a few years.

92-94 Barrel sample. This ripely tannic wine continues the good progress of this estate. Black fruits and the judicious touches of wood are promising.