Chateau Grand Village 2022

FALSTAFF: "Tiefdunkles Rubingranat, opaker Kern, violette Reflexe, zarte Randaufhellung. Schwarze Beerenfrucht, Nuancen von reifen Kirschen und Brombeeren, einladend, feine Würze ist unterlegt. Saftig, elegant, süße Pflaumenfrucht, feine Struktur, mineralisch-salzig, kann sofort genossen werden, stoffig, seidig und anhaltend."

JAMES SUCKLING: "Beautiful blue fruit and chocolate here. Medium- to full-bodied. The tannins are firm and velvety with lots of spice, seashell and iodine notes. Lots of white pepper and sea salt. Fresh. 80% merlot and 20% cabernet franc."

THE WINE ADVOCATE: "Baptiste Guinaudeau and his team have produced a beautifully pure, perfumed 2022 Grand Village that bursts with aromas of licorice, graphite, blackberries, pencil shaving, iris and fresh mint. Medium to full-bodied, seamless and fleshy, this outstanding wine is perfectly balanced on the palate with velvety tannins and a bright, saline finish. This is one of the very best Grand Villages produced to date, and it benefits from the sort of careful winemaking normally reserved for cru classé wines. It’s a blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc, although for the latter grape the Guinaudeau family prefers the local name of Bouchet."

THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "Nutty, spicy, floral, and fruity in the nose, the wine is ripe, round, lush, rich and fragrant in the mouth. The finish is long, lifted, and spicy, with layers of dark pit fruits, cocoa and a touch of salt on the back end of the finish. This is one of the great Bordeaux value wines you can purchase by the case, if you can find it. And it is ready to be enjoyed on release! The wine blends 80% Merlot with 20% Cabernet Franc. Harvesting took place September 9 - September 23. Drink from 2025-2037."

DECANTER: "Soft floral aromas on the nose, delicate and gentle with milk chocolate, salty stones and freshness. Sleek and well framed, smooth but direct, the flavours drive from start to finish in one direction and movement. Juicy and plump, but controlled, not shouting. Acidity is well balanced - soft but cool with cola and creamy aspects and tannins that feel well supportive, not lean, sharp or plush. Round and complete, carefully controlled and feels confident. Has a strength but well positioned and finessed with lovely salinity."

LISA PERROTTI-BROWN: "A blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Bouchet (Cabernet Franc), the 2022 Grand Village has a deep garnet-purple color. It flies out of the glass with vibrant scents of black and red cherries, black raspberries, unsmoked cigars, and fallen leaves, plus touches of lavender and black pepper."