Château Labégorce 2022

Ripe-fruited, with spicy blackberry, plum, smoke and an exotic spice touch; a compact, fairly opulent palate that builds momentum, very well structured, with high-quality tannins and a pleasantly long, fresh and spicy finish. Successful.

This is suave, with alder smoke–infused blackberry and black cherry compote flavors carried by a note of warm humus and backed by echoing violet and iris notes on the finish. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Best from 2026 through 2036. 15,000 cases made.

Rich and concentrated on the nose with perfumed notes as well as dark fruit and a touch of liquorice. Smooth but firm, this has weight and density in the mouth with fleshy black fruit, lively acidity and a long finish of chocolate and mint. It still feels fairly serious, with broad shoulders and a wide frame, yet it shows gorgeously pure, juicy fruit. I like the combination of crunchy acidity and plush tannins—it really works. Excellent mid-palate vibrancy. A touch of oak gives a bite to the finish, but this will settle.

The blackcurrant and blackberry aromas are very attractive here. It’s medium-bodied with firm and silky tannins and a pretty finish. Not the most complex wine, but focused and complete. Drink after 2028.

Flowers, tobacco, cedar, cherries, blackberries, and plums define the perfume. The lush, rounded palate is packed with sweet, ripe, dark red fruits, silky textures, and, most importantly, a lift of energy on the finish. The wine blends 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, and 2% Petit Verdot. Drink from 2027–2050.

Deep, dark ruby garnet, opaque core, purple reflections, delicate rim brightening. Floral notes of candied purple fruit, black cherries, some nougat—inviting, intense bouquet. Juicy, elegant, with fine fruit sweetness, pleasant freshness, chocolaty but without opulence, mineral on the finish, with definite ageing potential.

Tasted on multiple occasions, the inky-hued 2022 Château Labégorce (50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Merlot, and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot) reveals a perfumed, intense nose of ripe black cherries, cassis, spicy oak, and violets. This carries to an exotic, full-bodied Margaux that brings beautiful purity, a supple, layered, elegant mouthfeel, polished tannins, and a great finish. It's a big, powerful wine that I wouldn't be surprised to see close down over the coming 3-4 years. It will evolve for at least two decades.

Powerful, intense, with bitter aniseed, cardamom and crushed almonds on the finish, cocoa-mint, showing the intensity and black pepper kick of the vintage, balanced by waves of orange peel and fennel. Ripe but the fruit stays on the right side of savoury, and the tannins are intense without being drying. 40% new oak for ageing. Nathalie Perrodo, Marjolaine de Coninck CEO and technical director.

A taut, nervy nose with an almost varnish-like edge, yet also a certain opulence. On the palate, a caressing feel with a cashmere-like texture and pure fruit. It will take a little time for the wine to fully reveal itself.

Still strongly marked by its élevage, Labégorce reveals notes of fresh wood along with nuances of blackcurrant and blueberry. Juicy and dense on the attack, the wine combines charm and suppleness while offering compact, fine-grained tannins that deliver notable energy. An inviting, structured and persistent wine that can certainly be enjoyed young, yet has the substance to spend time in the cellar. A great success!

The nose is elegant, fresh, spicy and airy. It reveals notes of wild blackcurrant, Timut pepper, bright small red berries and, more lightly, wild raspberry, combined with touches of pepper, blond tobacco, plum blossom and spices. The palate is elegant, fruity, mineral and racy, with delicacy, richness, roundness, suppleness and a racy minerality. It expresses notes of juicy/pulpy blackcurrant, bright raspberry and, more lightly, cherry, combined with touches of cornflower, violet and graphene, as well as hints of blond tobacco, a fine hint of nutmeg, roasted almond, and a touch of star anise and toasty notes. The tannins are discreetly sticky.

Tasted twice, this wine has made a big leap forward since En Primeur. Deep, intense, beautiful colour. Very aromatic nose, with ripe, slightly sun-kissed fruit. It becomes more captivating than ever with a swirl of the glass. Full-bodied and flavoursome on the palate, powerful and juicy, with plenty of substance and a long finish. It’s very good.