Château Peyrabon 2023

Behavior, stony and cool in expression, expands on the palate, wonderful fruit, granular tannins, medium length.

Perfumed and scented on the nose. Ripe and high-toned, almost tart, but it becomes really quite juicy and clean — cherry and cranberry — with lots of mineral graphite and wet stone on the palate. A little tight and narrow, but there’s clear concentration and underlying power. Unfussy, smooth and succulent. I like this — a good option for easy drinking with freshness and nuance. Not lacking in anything, easy drinking and nicely constructed. A stand-out.

The 2023 Peyrabon is a bright, fruity Haut-Médoc to drink now and over the next 10-15 years. Juicy dark-fleshed fruit, graphite, crushed flowers, lavender and mocha are nicely dialed up. Soft contours wrap it all together in style. This is all charm.

Flowers, raspberries, and cherries define the core here. On the palate, the wine is forward, crisp, medium-bodied, and fresh. In character, it borders on high-toned. The wine blends, 56% Cabernet Sauvignon, 41% Merlot and 3% Petit Verdot. Drink from 2027-2034.

Bright, slightly austere, Left Bank crayon, cassis fruit and tannic grip, savoury but with enough flesh to be approachable within a year or two. Now owned by the Castéja family, with the former production of La Fleur Peyrabon in Lynch Moussas. 35% new oak, then 12 months in tank. Axel Marchal consultant.

Score: 87–89. The nose combines rich, chocolatey notes with suave aromas of white lilac and old rose. Classic with a pleasantly old-school touch, the palate is balanced before a minty finish.