Château d'Arsac 2022

Clean and clear, with a lovely crystalline purity; fleshy and chewy yet still strict and tense, with firm, gripping, wet-stone textured tannins that provide the frame and a slightly serious character. Nothing harsh, just lean and focused, with lovely underlying sweet-and-sour strawberry acidity and juiciness, so once the tannins settle this should make for delightful drinking. HVE certified. Tasted twice. 3.68 pH. Harvest: Merlot 26 September, Cabernet Sauvignon 4–11 October.

The 2022 Château d'Arsac has a well-defined and focused bouquet. The oak is well integrated, allowing the blackberry, cedar and violet notes to flourish. The palate is medium-bodied with crisp tannins, graphite-infused black fruit tones and an elegant finish that is uncommon at this level for this vintage. This is a well-crafted and satisfying Margaux that should give 15 or more years of pleasure.

Truffle, underbrush, flowers, and red cherries open the nose. Medium-bodied, fresh, and lively, the crisp finish lingers with a touch of bitter cocoa on the end note. Drink from 2026–2040.

Deep dark ruby, opaque core, purple reflections, discreet brightening on the rim. Delicate aromas of fresh strawberries, subtle tobacco, a hint of fine oak, inviting bouquet. Medium complexity, raspberries, vivid tannins, fresh acidity, chalky lemon finish, an uncomplicated, pleasurable food wine.

Inky dark purple core and hue. Pure and fragrant aromas of violet, cassis, blackberry and a mild oak-derived spiciness with butterscotch, mocha and some pastry notes. The palate shows both concentration and freshness with a polished texture, grainy, texture-giving tannins, digest dark fruit with fine spice like sage and aniseed leading to a long and supple finish.

This is excellent, I can’t remember a more enjoyable Arsac. The quality of the tannins is extremely impressive, and this is one to sink into, with a ton of rich brambled fruits, a touch of austerity on the finish, good guts and bone structure, cocoa bean, rose petals, sage, it has a Margaux personality, along with savoury Cabernet cool blue fruits. Eric Boissenot consultant. 55% new oak for ageing.

Like a garden on a summer evening, you are wrapped in aromas of red rose buds, with an enchanting and gently spicy fragrance. The palate is fairly fresh, with gripping tannins that won’t let go.

Morello cherry defines the 2022 vintage, led by lovely freshness with floral notes of violet. The oak integration reveals delicate, layered tannins. The wine is taut, unfolds with length, and delivers a saline finish.

One of the vineyards away from the Gironde estuary has produced a richly structured wine. It has dense tannins and layers of black fruits and structure. Blackberry and black coffee aromas and juicy black fruits give a wine that has space to develop. Drink from 2028.