Château Moulin Haut-Laroque 2022

En primeur I had question marks; now in bottle it’s clearly more defined: very ripe fruit, plum compote, Christmas spices, dark bread, leather, peat; full on the palate, two mouthfuls of wine, concentrated, masses of silky tannins, great length. A fruit bomb that needs to age; it has great reserves.

A nicely buried chalky spine lets fleshy-edged notes of black currant and black cherry lead the way. Light alder, chestnut and savory accents underscore the finish and lend an old-school hint. Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec. Best from 2026 through 2035. 4,000 cases made, 500 cases imported.

Ripe and concentrated dark berry fruit with perfumed scents—evocative and heady—with touches of prune, raisin, and vanilla. Quite calm and controlled on the palate—a balanced presentation of cool blue fruit, minty freshness, and lots of salty, wet-stone, slate minerality. A bit of oak and toasted spice lingers on the finish, as well as some heat from the alcohol, which slightly detracts from the earlier enjoyment. Nicely constructed with plenty of power but no heavy-handedness. 5% Malbec completes the blend.

Ripe blackberries, blackcurrants, cloves, licorice and hints of wet earth on the nose lead to a medium- to full-bodied palate that offers creamy, mouth-filling tannins, impressive fruit concentration and a dry, earthy aftertaste. 65% merlot, 20% cabernet franc, 10% cabernet sauvignon and 5% malbec. Try from 2028.

The 2022 Moulin Haut-Laroque has a pretty bouquet with touches of brambly red berry fruit, kirsch and orange peel. The palate is medium-bodied and lightly spiced, with pliant tannins and a hint of mocha on the finish. There is something “carefree” about this Fronsac that I appreciate.

Quite floral in nature, it exudes its soft, round, lush charms with ease, leaving you with a silky, polished layer of black cherries and chocolate, with just a hint of spice on the back end. Drink from 2025–2037.

Deep dark ruby, opaque core, purple reflections, discreet brightening on the rim. Ripe plums, dark wild berries, inviting fruit, fine herbal savouriness in the background, a hint of orange zest. On the palate, juicy, elegant, ripe cherries, fine acidity, mineral and delicate. Long finish; a balanced food wine with good ageing potential.

The 2022 Château Moulin Haut-Laroque reveals blackcurrants, red plums, sweet earth, truffle, and chocolate. Round, velvety, and concentrated on the palate, it has ripe tannins and a seamless feel. Aged in oak barrels, this should drink well for 12–15 years.

The heat on the palate throws off the fruit, making it hard to maintain momentum through the palate. Tried two samples.

Beautiful, complex nose offering racy, limestone-driven power with a frank, straight, and precise grain. Notes of Boysenberry, wild blackcurrant, and lighter hints of balsamic mingle with touches of wild strawberry, fine hints of cola, blond tobacco, a hint of vanilla, warm oak, and a discreet hint of crushed blueberry in the background. The palate is beautifully handled: fresh, mineral, elegant, silky to creamy, and precise. On the palate, the wine shows creamy blackberry and creamy blueberry, with lighter notes of crushed strawberry, touches of dark chocolate and toast, almost a caramelized edge, along with hints of blond tobacco, a subtle touch of camphor, and a discreet hint of coconut on the finish. Good length. Lovely graphite/chalky tannin grain. A smoky undertone in the background.

Dark, deep, beautiful colour. Highly aromatic nose with ripe, fresh fruit. Delicate on entry, particularly fragrant on the mid-palate, the wine builds with power on a rich, creamy texture, leading into a dense, sappy finish with beautifully integrated tannins.