Chateau Le Crock 2022

JEB DUNNUCK: "The 2022 Château Le Crock is absolutely brilliant and shows how strong the vintage is in the northern part of the Médoc. Pure black and blue fruits, graphite, lead pencil, and fresh earth all define the aromatics, and it's full-bodied, with a juicy spine of acidity and a great finish. The 2022 is based on 44% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot, 11% Cabernet Franc, and the rest Petit Verdot, with the harvest dates spanning the 12th to the 26th of September and tiny yields of 20.7 hectoliters per hectare. The élevage will span 14-18 months in just 30% new French oak. For the number geeks out there, the alcohol hit 14.7% with a pH of 3.84 and an IPT of 94."

THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "Black raspberries, herbs, spices, licorice, and flowers show readily in the nose. Medium-bodied, and packed with much more fruit, and freshness than usual, this is simply a pleasure to taste. The bold, showy finish, with its layers of blackberries, crème de cassis, spice, and tobacco leaves is lifted, elegant and creamy. There is no doubt, this is the best vintage of Le Crock ever produced! This will be simply delicious on release, yet, it can age for over a decade if you prefer more secondary notes. The wine blends 44% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot, 11% Cabernet Franc and 5% Petit Verdot. 14.71% ABV, 3.84 pH. Drink from 2025-2040."

JAMES SUCKLING: "Very pretty blackberry and blackcurrant aromas and flavors. Medium body with creamy, round and juicy tannins. Will age."

WEINWISSER: "44 % Cabernet Sauvignon, 40 % Merlot, 11 % Cabernet Franc, 5 % Petit Verdot, pH 3.84, 14.71 Vol.-%, aufgrund von Hagel konnten nur 20.7 hl/ha geerntet werden. Verspieltes rot- und blaubeeriges Bouquet, getrocknete Fliedernoten und Lakritze. Am eleganten, muskulösen Gaumen mit straffer Ausrichtung, cremiger Textur, mehligem Extrakt, stützender Rasse und engmaschigem Tanninkorsett. Im gebündelten, aromatischen Finale blaue Beeren, dunkles Graphit und feinmürbe Adstringenz. Kann noch zulegen. 2029 – 2045."

DECANTER: "Milk chocolate, cola, violets and ripe cherries on the nose, smells quite opulent. Juicy and so succulent, a real burst of energy and freshness but with supple and filling tannins giving joy and structure. Tannins are massy, filling and on the present side right now, but the acidity gives lift and movement to the concentrated blackcurrant and herbal raspberry fruit with lashings of liquorice, toast, cinnamon, vanilla and clove. A lovely, very drinkable and accessible wine with clear power and succulence, body and length. Gorgeous mineral tang too, feels well constructed with lots of detail and precision. 3.84pH. 3.84g/L total acidity. 94IPT. "

THE WINE ADVOCATE: "The 2022 Le Crock reveals bright aromas of cherry, plum, cassis, blueberry and pencil shavings. Medium to full-bodied, concentrated and vibrant but youthfully firm, it's a blend of 47% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc and 6% Petit Verdot. This is a strong performance from the owners of Léoville-Poyferré, now accompanied for this estate by consulting enologist Antoine Médeville."

VINUM: "Zurückhaltend fruchtig; knackiger Auftakt, voluminöse Entwicklung über erstklassigen, erstaunlich frischen, tragenden Gerbstoffen; hervorragend einmal mehr und gerade in diesem Jahr ein echtes Schnäppchen."