Château Villemaurine 2022

A touch of rubber tyre, then cassis, elderberry, plum, blackberry jelly, shiitake mushrooms, black tea, smoky notes; a powerful palate that feels opulent yet remains balanced, with ripe, rounded tannins; finishes saline, long and surprisingly fresh, leaving a mix of blackcurrant and blackberry.

Ripe, sweet and floral scents on the nose – really welcoming. Fresh and lively, the red-berry fruit profile is pristine with plenty of immediate lift and tons of juicy, almost sour freshness in a good way. Tannins are filling, giving a broad structure right now, and this is certainly highly charged, which detracts from easy enjoyment but suggests long ageing potential. It’s clean and clear, still a little tense, with a flash of heat and alcohol on the finish, but with plenty of finesse and detail.

Plenty of blue fruits such as currants with cherries, berries, some fresh herbs and limestone. Medium- to full-bodied, this has chewy tannins and a savory finish with energy at the end, firm and slightly austere in a very good way. Limestone character coming through. Drink after 2028 and beyond.

The 2022 Villemaurine is just as impressive as it was en primeur. Blood orange, jammy red fruit, cedar, tobacco and scorched earth infuse the 2022 with notable complexity. Brisk acids pull it all together as floral notes extend the pliant, beautifully resonant finish. This powerhouse Saint-Émilion delivers the goods. Tasted two times.

Flowers, red pit fruits, espresso, and cocoa notes get the wine going. The wine is elegant, creamy, and fresh, with a strong underpinning sense of minerality that adds a salty touch to the vibrant red and black fruits from the mid-palate through to the finish. The wine blends 85% Merlot with 15% Cabernet Franc. Drink from 2025-2042. 93-95 Pts.

Deep dark ruby, opaque core, purple reflections, subtle brightening on the rim. Delicately nutty underneath, ripe plum fruit, a touch of nougat and candied orange zest, cherries in the background. Full-bodied, elegant, juicy with ripe cherries, freshly structured, mineral and long-lasting. Some chocolate on the finish, good length, promising ageing potential.

A blend of 76% Merlot and 24% Cabernet Franc, the 2022 Château Villemaurine is killer stuff, offering black raspberries, black cherries, violets, floral notes, and chalky minerality. Full-bodied, pure, deep, and seamless, it’s layered and rich yet incredibly balanced, with fine tannins and an elegant mouthfeel. Huge minerality and a liquid rock-like character make this a stunning effort. Aged for 16 months in 70% new and 30% one-year-old barrels, it’s going to evolve gracefully for 30+ years. Total production: 3,000 cases.

Love the brambled blackberry fruit on the opening beats here, feels intense but welcoming, with a clear chalky, saline limestone kick along the way. It has a natural reserve with fine floral notes. Lefevre family, in their first full vintage as owners, 70% new oak, plus amphora and one-year-old oak. 38 hl/ha yield, clay-limestone soils.

A slightly heavy bouquet, lacking liveliness. However, it fully unfolds on the palate, with a generous profusion of ripe red fruits and a lovely grainy finish.

Nuances of black berries and spices complemented by a hint of cocoa in Villemaurine’s bouquet. Dense and juicy on the attack, the wine convinces with its velvety character and fleshy tannins that deliver both elegance and power. A flavorful, indulgent wine that’s ready to be enjoyed, while offering good potential.

Dark, purple color with black highlights. Intense nose, fruity, ripe, pure, and delicately vanilla-toned. Broad on the attack, supple and full mid-palate, both melting and powerful, the wine glides along the entire length. It finishes slightly firm, chalky, true to its identity, yet never before have the fruit brightness and softness been so high. Blend: 85% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc. Alcohol: 15° - pH: 3.42. Yield: 38 hl/ha. HVE certified.