Château Larrivet Haut-Brion 2022

Expressive, delicately spicy, ripe cassis, blackberries, blood oranges coated in dark chocolate; a balanced, elegant palate with ripe, generous fruit and ultra-fine tannins; despite the power and a certain opulence, the wine feels fresh, very lively, with a very long finish. A great value!

Mulled red and black currant fruit is laced with savory, cedar and tobacco leaf notes. Offers a textbook vintage profile; this is just slightly more understated than most of its peers. Earth-tinged finish. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Drink now through 2037. 10,000 cases made, 2,000 cases imported.

Highly aromatic and fragrant nose full of dark berry fruits, dried flowers and chocolate. Well sculpted on the palate, tannins give the frame and strength while the bright red, juicy berry fruit adds lift. There's still some tension to this - it drives in a straight line from start to finish with crushed stones, graphite and cola accenting the finish. Still feels a little shy but I love the styling and precision to the elements. A flash of heat and spice on the finish puts the vintage into the picture and suggests waiting a little longer to enjoy this but it's very nice.

Such beautiful aromas of blackberries, flowers, nettles and crushed stones follow through to a medium body with firm yet open tannins and a long and crunchy finish. Needs three or four years to come together but very well-constructed. 61% cabernet sauvignon, 21% cabernet franc and 18% merlot. 5% whole-bunch fermentation. Drink after 2029.

61% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Cabernet Franc, 18% Merlot. Cask sample. Mid crimson. A hint of creaminess promised on the nose. Pace and lift, then actually rather a grainy texture on the palate. Tannins quite marked at present. Medium weight. Not yet charming. (JR)

The 2022 Larrivet Haut-Brion is dense, powerful and explosive. Black cherry, plum, new leather, licorice and mocha are amplified in this dramatic, deeply resonant wine. Gorgeous.

Smoky red fruits, tobacco leaves, cherries, strawberries, and spearmint create the nose. It is medium-bodied, elegant, fresh, and refined. The concentrated finish is loaded with sweet red pit fruits and features a chocolate-mint note that appears in the long, refreshing end notes. The wine blends 61% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Cabernet Franc and 18% Merlot. Drink from 2026-2045.

Deep ruby colour, purple reflections, discreet brightening on the rim. Ripe plums, cherries, some nougat, orange zest, somewhat restrained. Juicy on the palate, red-berry notes, some raspberry, fruity texture, freshly structured, elegant, delicate fruit on the finish. A harmonious food wine, with subtle toasty aromas on the finish.

The 2022 Château Larrivet Haut-Brion is a blend of 61% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Cabernet Franc, and 18% Merlot that spent 16 months in barrel. Its deep ruby/purple hue is followed by a beautifully perfumed, medium- to full-bodied, elegant 2022 that shows red, blue, and some black fruits; a lifted, floral perfume of incense, smoky tobacco, and blood orange; fine, polished tannins; and a great finish. It’s beautifully done, and while it’s already accessible, it should age beautifully for two decades.

Lovely aromatics here, dives straight in to a charming, fruit-filled glass, nothing too concentrated in colour or on the nose, still with plenty of personality. Edge of vanilla bean smoke on the nose, there is a sweetness here, raspberry puree, fragrant lemongrass, violet and cherry pit. Enjoyable, fresh acidities on the finish. Dominant Cabernet, with over 80% between Sauvignon and Franc, and a generous for the vintage 40hl/ha yield. 15% whole cluster, aged in a mix of amphora, new barrels and one-year-old barrels. Tasted twice.

A rich, hedonistic nose with notes of ripe red plum and a floral touch. A pleasantly tangy backbone brings movement and energy, supported by crunchy red berries. The finish is straight, long, and satisfying.

Logo on the cork: DIAM30 Dark, intense colour, slightly evolved. Very aromatic nose with ripe fruit. A sunny touch when the glass is swirled. Delicious from the attack, with plenty of flavour through the mid-palate; the wine melts on the palate. It develops juicy and savoury, leading into a textured finish that tightens before easing back into the aromatics. Good, fragrant length.

With its brilliant ruby hue, this wine charms with its supple, juicy texture. The nose remains discreet, giving way on the palate to a light finesse, marked by notes of liquorice and small blackberry. A subtle bitterness brings tension, reflecting the gravelly, well-drained soils of Pessac-Léognan.

An elegant wine with a blueberry and chocolate aroma and touches of toast. With its ripe tannins and succulent black fruits, the wine has a dense structure. Drink from 2028.

Confirming my expectations, the 2022 Larrivet Haut-Brion is one of the best wines ever produced at this estate. Revealing a complex, vibrant bouquet of cassis, lilac, iris, mulberries, spices and menthol complemented by barely noticeable oak, it's medium to full-bodied and layered with a seamless, pure texture and a fleshy core of fruit perfectly framed by velvety tannins and bright acids. The Cabernet Franc contributes a floral finish, while the Cabernet Sauvignon adds a balanced structure. It should age gracefully.