Château Carlmagnus 2022

Deep ruby; on the nose, marzipan, black cherry, blackberries, plums, roses, noble roasted notes; taut, dense, well-structured, crisp fruit, tannins already well integrated, solid length, mineral finish.

A heady nose, spiced and pronounced with crushed rose petals and black peppercorns dominating the scent. Smooth and round, nicely textured with plenty of juicy strawberry and red cherry fruit and hints of tobacco, liquorice and a stony salinity on the finish. A flash of heat is present but well proportioned to the body with tons of flavour and enough acidity to finish with a refreshing lift. Special James Bond 'Licence to taste' label to celebrate the wine's 60th anniversary.

The 2022 Carlmagnus opens with promising aromatics redolent of crushed flowers and small red berry fruit. Searing contours are penalizing on the mid-palate and finish. I wish this had more mid-palate pliancy and overall finesse.

Brambled berry fruit on the nose, good depth through the palate; this has chalky tannins and plenty of limestone grip, coupled with fleshy blackberry and raspberry fruits. Good quality and one to look out for. License to taste James Bond label if that’s your thing... Stephane Derenoncourt and Hannah Fiegenschuh consultants, 15ha estate owned by Arnaud Roux-Oullié, 40% new oak.

It feels like standing before a Provençal market stall overflowing with small red and black fruits, perfectly ripe and exuding a generous fragrance, while flowers release their opulent scent. The palate is intensely fruity, with pronounced acidity and a finish driven by drying tannins.

The nose shows lovely freshness with intensity and depth, along with a subtle spicy edge. There are notes of boysenberry, vibrant blackcurrant, and, more delicately, fresh pepper, joined by hints of a sense of place as well as touches of camphor, graphite, and vanilla. The palate is beautifully guided, with freshness and tension. It is precise, well-defined, with notes of pulpy, juicy blackberry, creamy blackcurrant, and, more subtly, raspberry, supported by touches of fairly ripe blue fruits, cubeb pepper, and fine hints of chocolate and toast. The tannins are supple, refined, and elegant. There is a lovely chew on the finish.

A blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc, the 2022 Carlmagnus evokes a ripe, spicy bouquet of plum, baked dark berries and cassis mingled with floral notes with time in the glass. Medium-bodied, dense and concentrated, it's framed by structured tannins with a long, chalky finish.