Château Olivier 2022

Sanguine and iron show themselves early on, while the core of warmed cassis and steeped cherry fruit moves along steadily. Polished in feel, with fine-grained alder and cedar notes asserting themselves on the suave finish. Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot. Best from 2027 through 2039. 9,000 cases made, 1,500 cases imported.

Lovely fragrance on the nose, smells vivid and floral with blackcurrant aromas. Lovely finesse straight away, fruit is clean and pure and the tannins are well integrated but this has quite a lot of heat and spice putting alcohol to the fore and detracting a little from the overall easy enjoyment. I like the frame, it's not too thick or heavy at all, definitely more focussed - it has lost its Primeurs baby fat and has become more streamlined.

The 2022 Olivier has held onto its attractive bouquet, with an expressive mixture of blackberry and blueberry fruit, iris flower and hints of black olive. There is a sense of brightness. The palate is well balanced with crisp acidity, brimming with energy and tension. It builds toward a structured and revivifying sapid finish that begs you back for more. This is an excellent Château Olivier.

Olives, smoke, black plums, black cherries, flowers, and tobacco spring from the nose. On the palate, the wine is fresh, creamy, lively, and silky, with ample layers of sweet, ripe, dark fruits, cocoa, and minerality on the finish adding more lift and complexity. The wine blends 49% Merlot, 45% Cabernet Sauvignon and 6% Petit Verdot. Drink from 2026-2040.

Deep dark ruby, opaque core, purple reflections, subtle brightening on the rim. Ripe plums, liquorice, a touch of chocolate, inviting bouquet. Juicy dark berries, medium complexity, fresh and structured, some nougat, good persistence, promising food wine.

Black cherries, smoked earth, leather, and graphite all emerge from the 2022 Château Olivier, a concentrated, rich, medium- to full-bodied 2022 that has building tannins, solid mid-palate depth and richness, and a great finish. Give it a few years for the tannins to round into form, and this beauty will cruise over the following 15–20 years.

Laurent Lebrun, winemaker and director. Deep spiced plum aromatics, medium-intensity ruby color, an appealing kick to this wine. It has charm and an appellation signature. Yield of 34 hl/ha, 35% new oak for ageing.

A great deal of finesse and freshness in the bouquet of Château Olivier 2022, with shades of wild berries and licorice. Lively on the attack, the wine is mouthwatering and supported by fine-grained tannins that bolster its structure and freshness. A tasty, mouthwatering wine that can be enjoyed throughout its evolution, both young and with some age.

The nose is fruity, mineral, racy, with delicate peppery nuances, a fine, racy grain and an airy feel. It reveals notes of wild blackcurrant, blackberry and, more slightly, violet, combined with touches of racy/gravelly minerality, fresh/ripe red berries, fresh pepper as well as fine hints of almond and toast. The palate is beautifully juicy, fruity, fresh, and balanced, offering a tangy/fresh backbone, good definition, precision, tension, and a lovely, slightly fleshy/juicy feel. On the palate, this wine expresses notes of juicy/pulpy black cherry, fleshy/juicy blackberry and, more slightly, fresh/bright cherry, combined with touches of almond, roasting, chocolate, toasted hazelnut and a very discreet hint of Bourbon vanilla. Lovely texture and indulgence. Good length. The tannins are flavorful and supple. A nice iodized/saline undertone and an imperceptible hint reminiscent of almost warm pine needles in the background.

Deep, intense colour. Very aromatic, pure and subtle nose with ripe fruit. The palate is immediately silky and flavoursome, developing pleasantly and perfumed, with lovely definition from the mid-palate through to the finish. Long and very good.

A fresh, vibrant nose combining blackberry and blackcurrant, typical of Graves. A forthright attack reveals fine intensity of dark fruit, subtly oaked. The silky, well-integrated tannins provide a harmonious structure. Long, savoury finish, marked by an elegant bitterness, reflecting ideally exposed terroir and a sunny year.

An inviting, comforting bouquet, like returning to your childhood home after many years. Notes of dark fruit, forest floor, and stone intertwine with elegance. On the palate, a precise, slender wine with satiny tannins that build in power on the finish.

Licorice and spice aromas are matched by the spicy, black fruit and structure of this rich, concentrated wine. Very age-worthy, it comes from one of the oldest wine estates in Bordeaux, dating back to the 12th century. Drink from 2028.