This year, the Pauillac châteaux registered with the Union des Grands Crus de Bordeaux (UGCB) had an appointment at Château Lynch-Bages to present their latest vintage. A sublime welcome, and a most formidable tasting.
A rather homogeneous vintage, suggesting perfectly balanced, very well-structured wines with considerable aromatic depth. The tannins are well rounded, supple with a nice tension, despite the fears that one could have, all in a harmonious freshness. For once, Pauillac will have taken advantage of this scorching vintage.
- Château Batailley 95 – 96/100
The elegance of the nose is obvious, with notes of black fruits (blackcurrant, blackberry), spices and tobacco. Ample, dense and with a lovely structure, the palate is wonderfully balanced. The tannins are supple and refined. A finish that combines both elegance and persistence.
- Château Clerc Milon 95 – 96/100
A refined nose with notes of red fruits, spices, tobacco and cedar. On the palate it is both deep, harmonious and seductive. The tannins come to line your palate like velvet and are energized by a magnificent tension. An elegant finish with considerable length.
- Château Croizet-Bages 92 – 93/100
A nose of black fruits (cherry, currant), tobacco and spices. On the palate it is structured, balanced and fresh. The tannins are round and the acidity is medium. A finish of the correct length.
- Château D’Armailhac 95 – 96/100
On the nose it is an intense bouquet with notes of black fruits (plum, blackcurrant, cherry), spices (licorice) and tobacco. Ample, dense and refined, the mouth is perfectly balanced. A lively, persistent and very fresh finish.
- Château Duhart-Million 95 – 97/100
The elegance and depth of the nose offer us notes of red fruits (currants, cherries) accompanied by spicy, floral and roasted notes. At the same time delicate, deep and harmonious, the mouth is of a beautiful structure. The balance between fine tannins and a palpable acidity. The length mixed with the freshness gives this wine great elegance.
- Château Grand Puy Ducasse 95 – 96/100
An elegant nose of considerable aromatic intensity, with notes of black fruits such as blackcurrant and blackberry and spices. On the palate it is remarkably harmonious. The wine is velvety, ample and very fresh. Soft tannins accompanied by a nice tension. The finish is lively, fresh and elegantly persistent.
- Château Grand Puy Lacoste 95 – 96/100
Blackcurrant, blackberry, cherry, spices and woody notes embalm the nose with their complexity. In the mouth it is of a remarkable structure. Ample, dense and deep, the wine is perfectly balanced with charmingly supple tannins. The finish is fresh, persistent and immensely seductive.
- Château Haut-Batailley 94 – 95/100
Deep garnet color with purplish reflections. A deep and sophisticated nose with notes of black fruits, spices (pepper) and subtle floral notes. The palate is slender, of great aromatic intensity, structured, with wonderful elegance. The tannins are supple and supported by a nice tension. A balanced finish with a nice length.
- Château Lynch-Bages 97 – 98/100
A deep and bewitching nose, with notes of black fruits, small berries and spices. On the palate the wine is structured, the tannins are supple and accompanied by a nice acidity. A perfect balance that gives the wine a nice freshness. The finish is persistent and very elegant.
- Château Lynch-Moussas 93 – 94/100
Le nez est caractérisé par de belles notes aromatiques de fruits noirs et d’épices. La bouche est souple, harmonieuse et d’un bel équilibre. Les tanins encore un peu fermes sont parfaitement contrebalancés par une jolie acidité. La finale est fraiche et d’une longueur correcte.
- Château Pichon Baron 97 – 99/100
A captivating nose of remarkable depth with notes of black fruits, chocolate and roasted coffee. The attack on the palate is ample, dense and very lively. A wine with the perfect balance between supple tannins and a certain acidity. The finish is elegantly persistent and very fresh. One of the best of 2022 in my eyes.
- Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse De Lalande 98 – 99/100
Deep purple in color. An intense and complex nose of small black berries and black fruits. The palate is harmonious, with great finesse and aromatic depth, we perfectly perceive blackberry, blackcurrant and cherry. The tannins are fine and line the palate with their elegance. A marvelous balance for an impressively fresh wine. The finish is extremely long.
