Château de Chantegrive 2022

Easygoing in its energy, this offers lightly mulled red currant and cherry fruit lined with sandalwood, tea and savory hints. Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Drink now through 2029. 16,000 cases made, 500 cases imported.

Richly scented on the nose – chocolate, clove, coffee granules and some toast with black berries. Smooth and full – this has nice energy and forward motion with really quite chalky but fine tannins that leave a powdery texture on the tongue. It’s a little more pent up than some, there’s real tension on offer – a straight line from start to finish. Tannins are plentiful and they fill the mouth, just covering the cool blue fruit underneath. It has definitely settled a little since Primeurs so wait a bit longer to open and enjoy. I like the wet stone minerality and the cool but spicy liquorice accent on the finish which does have a touch of alcohol also.

65% Merlot, 34% Cabernet Sauvignon, 1% Petit Verdot. Cask sample. Bright crimson hue. Dark fruit with a minerally edge. Juicy and fresh on the palate. Structured. A little dryness on the finish from the oak but should soften. (JL)

Smoky cherries and tobacco shape the character of this forward, medium-bodied, elegant, and soft wine, filled with cocoa, leafy notes, dark cherry, and espresso. Drink from 2025–2032. 90–92 pts.

Dark ruby garnet, opaque core, purple reflections. Delicate rim brightening. Subtle hints of nougat and cloves, black cherry and wild berries in the background. Juicy, ripe plums, sweet figs, dark nougat, a powerful savoury food companion.

Based on 65% Merlot and 35% Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2022 Château De Chantegrive is solid, with a rich, medium- to full-bodied, concentrated, nicely balanced, mouth-filling style. It has some chewy tannins, solid mid-palate depth, and while it might be a touch short on elegance, it brings the fruit and richness of the vintage and is perfect for drinking over the coming 10–12 years.

Medium-intensity ruby red, a swirl of smoked oak and blueberry fruit on the opening; this is easy to approach and full of charm on the aromatics. A little abrupt on the finish, though, and it struggles to fill out the mid-palate. 50% new oak.

A bouquet that is both soothing and intriguing, blending aromas of black and blue fruits with floral notes of rose and peony, all in a juicy, playful, and complex whole that doesn’t reveal all its facets at first glance. This complexity carries onto the palate, soft and harmonious on entry, highlighted by velvety tannins that add flesh to the body, while the intensity of the vibrant fruit fills the mid-palate before a supple, feminine finish. A wine that is at once silky, powerful, and tender, with great freshness.

Of good intensity, the bouquet stands out with smoky and spicy nuances. It gradually reveals itself, underscoring ambitions devoted to detail and finesse. The smoky and spicy facets are complemented by notes of black berries such as blackberry and blueberry. Slightly creamy on the attack, the wine offers smooth, velvety tannins, followed by a touch of austerity that ensures freshness and persistence on the finish. A sapid wine that deserves a bit of development, yet already shows promising prospects.