Carnet de dégustation n°2 – Mars 2025

For this second tasting book, place to 2022 that I was able to taste at the beginning of the year. For the majority, they were tasted in the office of Eric Boissenot, the illustrious oenologist of the Médoc, but not only.

What strikes me is the freshness of these wines. The expression of the fruit is brilliant. Wines, although very young, have ripe tannins for the most part, but not astringent. The perceived acidity will carry the wines for many decades. Will they dress up young or will you have to be patient, that is the question. In my humble opinion, they will start to taste today, but they will have an exceptional aging potential. All the planets are aligned to say that it is a vintage that is of the greatest temper.

So I let you discover my notes and comments below, as always, they only commit me. Enjoy!

Saint-Émilion

• Château Cantenac    –    90/100

The nose is fine, fresh and aromatic, it reveals its beautiful notes of black and red fruits, liquorice, with a hint of floral notes and a delicate woody. On the palate, it is well structured and well balanced, with a nice aromatic expression. The tannins are round and accompanied by a fine acidity. Final fresh, fruity and of a correct length.

• Château Croix de Labrie    –    98/100

Rich, deep and remarkably complex, the nose reveals with great expression its notes of black fruits, pepper, liquorice, garrigue with its fine floral notes as well as a delicate woody. The attack on the palate is ample, dense and gains in volume as and when. The aroma is of a wonderful intensity. The tannins fill the palate with their flexibility, their finesse, but above all their elegance. They are perfectly accompanied by a fresh acidity that will carry the wine over the decades. The finish is fresh, tasty and with an endless persistence. One of the great wines of the vintage.

Pomerol

• Château La Cabanne    –    94/100

Elegant, fine and with a nice freshness, the nose reveals its pretty notes of black and red fruits, spices, with small thin notes of truffles and subtle floral notes. The attack on the palate is full of elegance, with a beautiful aromatic expression. The tannins are very fine and give a beautiful structure to the wine. A fine acidity gives it balance and freshness. The finish is refined and of good length. A wine in perfect harmony with the vintage and its terroir. 

Fronsac

• Château Dalem    –    94/100

Delicate, fresh and airy, the nose reveals an intense bouquet of blackcurrant, blackberry, black berries, pepper with subtle floral notes and a most delicate woody. The attack on the palate is fine, silky with a refined aromatic expression. The tannins are round, elegant and give structure and elegance to the wine. A fine acidity brings balance and also freshness. Finish full of fruit, finesse and length. 

• Château de la Huste    –    92/100

Fine, fresh and aromatic, you can easily perceive notes of black fruits, spices, with a floral touch that brings elegance. The mouth is delicate, refined, with a beautiful structure but especially a very nice fruity expression. The tannins are round and accompanied by a fine acidity, the balance is ideal. The finish is fresh, fruity and of a very interesting length.

Médoc

• Château Blaignan    –    91/100

Delicate nose, deep with a beautiful intensity with notes of black fruits, licorice, pepper with subtle woody notes. On the palate, it is well structured, with volume and an elegant aromatic depth. The tannins are ripe, firm, and are supported by a fresh acidity. Finish of a very nice length.

• Château Gémeillan    –    91/100

Fresh and of a beautiful intensity, the nose offers us its nice bouquet of black fruits, vanilla, subtle notes of tobacco and a very delicate woody. Fine attack on the palate with a nice density. The tannins are fine and are accompanied by a fine acidity. The finish is fresh and of a correct length.

• Château Les Ormes Sorbet    –    92/100

Rich and deep nose, we discover its nice notes of black fruits, pepper, with its fine vanilla notes. Mouth wide, dense, with a beautiful aromatic. The tannins line the palate with their finesse and firmness, they bring a beautiful structure to the wine. The fine perceived tension balances the whole. Finish of a fresh and elegant persistence.

• Château Livran    –    92/100

Racy, deep and expressive, the nose reveals its elegant bouquet of black fruits mixed with fine spicy notes and a delicate woody. Ample, dense and aromatic, the wine gains in volume gradually. The tannins are ripe, firm, and are accompanied by a fine tension. The finish is rich, racy and persistent.

• Château L’écrin de Couleys    –    91/100

On the nose, black fruits dominate and are accompanied by spices such as pepper, licorice and some vanilla notes. Palate fine, fresh and of a nice density. The tannins are fine, firm, and are supported by a nice acidity. A finish full of fruit, freshness, with a very interesting length.

• Château Saint Bonnet    –    90/100

Rich and deep nose with notes of black fruits, liquorice, pepper with subtle woody notes. Silky palate, with a beautiful material and a nice aromatic. The tannins are round, a little firm, time will soften them. A fresh acidity comes to balance the whole. On the finish, freshness dominates with a very correct length.

• Château Tour Prignan grande réserve    –    91/100

Expressive, racy and of a beautiful richness, the nose reveals its delightful bouquet of blackcurrants, blackberries, mixed with fine peppery notes and subtle woody notes. Attack on the palate delicate, fruity, the wine gains in volume as and when. The tannins are round, firm and give a lot of straightness to the wine. The fine acidity balances the whole. Final full of freshness and a very nice length.

Haut-Médoc

• Château Beaumont    –    92/100

Rich, deep and complex, the nose reveals its superb bouquet of blackcurrant, blackberry, pepper, liquorice with a touch of vanilla and a delicate woody. The attack on the palate is elegant, delicate, with a remarkable structure. In the middle of the mouth, the wine gains in volume as and when we admire its ripe tannic texture accompanied by a fine tension that brings it freshness and balance. The finish is full of elegance and persistence.

• Château Bel Air Gloria    –    92/100

Rich, seductive and intense nose, with notes of black fruits, spices, very well integrated woody. Frank mouth, with a beautiful material. Generous, elegant with a beautiful aromatic intensity. The tannins come to line the palate with their finesse, a little firm but not astringent. A fine acidity brings the necessary freshness to balance the whole. Ends in a very nice length.

• Château Bel Orme Tronquoy de Lalande    –    93/100

Deep and complex nose where the black fruits radiate and are accompanied by a solar spicy character, especially with pepper notes. Subtle floral notes bring freshness. Delicate woody notes complete the whole. In the mouth, it is ample, dense, with aromatic depth. The tannins are ripe and bring all the structure of the wine. The acidity comes to balance the whole. Final full of fruit, freshness and length. A very nice vintage.

• Château Castera    –    92/100

Rich and deep nose with notes of black fruits, spices with subtle woody notes. In the mouth, it is delicate, fine, with an elegant aromatic intensity. The tannins are round and firm, and bring a beautiful structure. A fresh final tension blends harmoniously with the length of this wine.

• Château Citran    –    92/100

The nose has an intense bouquet of red fruits, spices with fine notes of tobacco and subtle floral notes that bring elegance. On the palate, it is fine, delicate, with a nice fruity character. Structured by ripe tannins, the fine perceived acidity gives freshness and balance. Final of a pleasant length.

• Château Colombe Peylande    –    91/100

Fresh and aromatic nose with notes of black fruits mixed with a spicy touch and a well-integrated oaky. In the mouth, it is fine, with a beautiful material and an expressive fruity character. The tannins are ripe, elegant but not astringent, and are accompanied by a fresh acidity. Final both fresh, fruity and of a correct length.

• Château Corconnac    –    92/100

Nose with intense notes of cassis, blackberries, licorice with subtle notes of tobacco. Attack in the mouth ample, dense, with a beautiful material. The fruity character is of a beautiful intensity. The tannins are round, firm and supported by a nice acidity. Fresh finish and a nice length.

• Château Coufran    –    92/100

Complex and of a beautiful depth, the nose reveals its nice bouquet of black fruits mixed with peppery notes, as well as fine herbaceous notes and has subtle notes of tobacco. The attack on the palate is both delicate and full of volume. The tannins are ripe, firm and are accompanied by a beautiful acidity. Very well structured and well balanced. The finish is rich and persistent.

• Château Doyac    –    93/100

Intense, fresh and rich nose with notes of black fruits, pepper, tobacco, with subtle herbaceous notes. On the palate, it is fine, fresh, with a nice fruity character. Beautiful structure and balance. The tannins are ripe and are supported by a fresh tension. Aromatic finish with a very interesting length.

• Château Larrivaux    –    93/100

Delicate and charming nose, where black fruits dominate they are accompanied by pepper, licorice, a hint of vanilla and a very fine woody. On the palate, it is generous, elegant, with a beautiful aromatic depth. The tannins are round, firm and accompanied by a fresh acidity. The finish is fresh, delicate and very elegant.

• Château Maucamps    –    92/100

Rich and deep, the nose reveals very nice notes of black fruits, pepper, with subtle floral notes and a delicate woody. The palate is ample, dense, structured by a ripe tannic weave supported by a fine tension. On the finish, freshness, fruit and length blend harmoniously.

• Château Maurac    –    91/100

Fresh and aromatic nose with notes of black fruit, licorice with fine woody notes. Attack in the mouth fresh, fruity, with a nice volume. Beautiful structure and balance. The tannins are ripe and are accompanied by a fine acidity. Fresh finish and nice length.

• Château Meyre    –    91/100

Red fruits, pepper, liquorice and delicate woody, the nose is deep and of a beautiful freshness. Mouth with volume, fleshy, with a rather pronounced fruity character. The structure is brought by a tannic weave both frank but fine. The finish is full of freshness.

• Château Pey Mallet    –    90/100

Fresh and aromatic nose with notes of black fruits, spices, with fine woody notes. On the palate, it is well structured and properly balanced. The tannins are sharp, a little firm but not astringent. Acidity correct. Finish fresh and of a correct length.

• Château du Retout    –    91/100

Aromatic nose, fresh, fruity with a spicy touch. On the palate, it is fine, dense with a beautiful expression of fruit. The tannins are ripe and supported by an acidity that brings freshness. Final of a correct length. A safe value.

• Château Sénéjac    –    93/100

Airy, delicate and deep, the nose reveals a wonderful bouquet of black fruits, pepper, with a very elegant floral touch and fine woody notes. The attack on the palate is refined, with a beautiful volume and a very elegant aromatic. The tannins are ripe and give a very beautiful structure to the wine, carried by a fine tension that gives all the necessary freshness. Final where the fruit persists in a wonderful length. A very nice success on this historic vintage.

• Château Soudars    –    91/100

Fine nose, fresh, with a beautiful depth of notes of black fruits, licorice, with fine woody notes very well integrated. The attack on the palate is refined, aromatic and well-structured. The tannins are ripe, firm, and are accompanied by a fine acidity. The finish is fresh with a nice length.

• Château Verdignan    –    92/100

Delicate and complex, the nose reveals its intense notes of black fruits, its spicy character as well as a fine woody. Velvety, dense mouth attack, where black fruits dominate. Very beautiful structure brought by ripe tannins, firm but not astringent. A fine acidity brings freshness. Final where elegance and persistence reign.

• Grand vin du Château Puy Castéra    –    92/100

Rich, complex and deep, the nose reveals an elegant bouquet of black fruits mixed with notes of liquorice, pepper, as well as fine woody notes. The palate is ample and well structured, with ripe tannins contributing. The fruity character is omnipresent and very elegant. The finish is full of refinement and length.

• Le Haut-Médoc de Maucaillou    –    90/100

Fresh fruit, spices and a well-integrated woody, the nose is quite attractive. The attack on the palate is fine, straight and beautifully fruity. The wine gains in density in the middle of mouth. The ripe and firm tannins give character to this wine. Final taut, fresh with a correct length.

• L’orme de Rauzan-Gassies    –    92/100

Delicate, fresh and of a beautiful intensity, the nose exhales its elegant notes of black fruits, mixed with its peppery notes, its subtle floral notes and its perfectly integrated woody. The attack on the palate is fine, delicate, the wine gains in volume gradually. The ripe tannins come to line the palate without drying it out. A final acidity brings freshness and balance, all with length.

• Pagus de Lagrange    –    92/100

Charming nose, delicate and beautiful depth, we discover its nice bouquet of black fruits mixed with a solar spicy character and a perfectly integrated woody. Precise, clean attack on the palate with a lot of straightness. The wine gains in volume in the middle of the mouth. The tannins are fine and bring a beautiful structure. The perceived fresh acidity balances the whole. Finish where freshness blends harmoniously with aromatic persistence.

Listrac-Médoc

• Château Clarke    –    93/100

The nose is refined, airy and deep, opening on delightful notes of blackcurrant, blackberry, pepper, licorice, with a hint of tobacco and a floral character full of subtlety. The palate is ample, dense, with great aromatic elegance. Superb structure provided by ripe tannins, racy and supported by an acidity that brings both its freshness but also balance. The finish is like the vintage, fresh, fruity and of a nice length.

• Château Fourcas Dupré    –    93/100

Fresh, deep, complex with a very refined aerial dimension, the nose offers us a nice bouquet of black fruits, pepper, spices, vanilla, subtle floral notes and a wood of the most delicate. The attack on the palate is fine, delicate, with a beautiful fruity expression. The wine gains volume in the middle of the mouth. The tannins are ripe and give a beautiful structure. The finish is full of balance, freshness, elegance and length.

• Château Fourcas Hosten    –    93/100

Deep, complex with a radiant aromatic expression, the nose reveals its notes of black fruits, licorice, with fine peppery notes and subtle tobacco notes. The palate is ample, dense and the aroma is very expressive of its terroir. Beautiful structure and beautiful balance. The tannins are ripe and the acidity brings a lot of freshness. The finish is of a wonderful persistence.

• Château Martinho    –    91/100

Elegant, fresh and aromatic nose, you can easily perceive its nice notes of black fruits, pepper, liquorice, vanilla, with a hint of floral notes. Straight mouth with volume and a very beautiful aromatic expression. Well structured by ripe tannins, the balance is brought by a fresh tension. Finish fresh, fruity and with a nice length.

Margaux

• Château Larruau    –    91/100

Fine nose, fresh and deep, you can discover its bouquet of black fruits, liquorice, pepper, vanilla with a hint of floral notes. The palate is delicate, elegant and well structured. The tannins are ripe, firm but not astringent. The final acidity brings freshness. Fruity finish and a nice length.

• Château Le Coteau    –    92/100

The nose is fine, deep and fresh. You can easily perceive its notes of black fruits, licorice, vanilla, with delicate floral and mentholated notes that bring a lot of elegance. The palate is ample, dense, with a beautiful material. Well structured by a fine tannic weave accompanied by a fresh acidity. The finish is full of seduction, freshness and length.

• Château Moutte Blanc    –    90/100

Fresh nose and a nice intensity with notes of black fruits, spices, with a well-melted woody. The palate is well structured and well balanced, with a beautiful aromatic expression. The tannins are ripe and supported by an acidity that brings freshness and balance. Fine finish, fresh and of a correct length.

Moulis-en-Médoc

• Château Anthonic    –    92/100

Freshness, finesse and aromatic expression are vibrant from the first nose. Black fruits, pepper, sweet spices with a hint of vanilla and fine floral notes. The attack on the palate is delicate, with volume and a nice fruity character. Beautiful structure and beautiful balance. The tannins are ripe and accompanied by a fine acidity. Final where the fruit dominates, with brilliant freshness and length.

• Château Dutruch Grand Poujeaux    –    92/100

From the first nose, you can feel the richness and depth of the vintage, while having this touch of freshness. The notes of black fruits are vibrant and are accompanied by pepper, licorice, a fine touch of tobacco as well as a subtle floral touch that brings all its elegance. The palate is velvety, elegant, with a beautiful aromatic expression. The tannins are ripe and constitute the structure of the wine. A fine final tension brings both freshness and balance. Fruity finish and a very nice length.

• Château Lalaudey    –    91/100

The nose reveals its fresh notes of black fruits, its fine notes of pepper and its subtle but distinguished floral character. In the mouth, it is velvety, fine and full of delicacy. The tannins are fine and bring the spine to the wine. The finish is fresh, fruity and of a very pleasant length.

• Château Lestage-Darquier Grand Poujeaux    –    92/100

The nose is fresh, fruity and expressive. Black fruits, spices with a hint of tobacco. Mouth ample, with a beautiful aromatic richness. The tannins are ripe and supported by a fresh acidity. Fruity finish and a nice length.

• Château Maucaillou    –    92/100

Complex, deep and expressive, the nose reveals its beautiful notes of black fruits, licorice, pepper with a hint of vanilla and subtle tobacco notes. The palate is ample, dense with an elegant aroma. Beautiful structure brought by ripe but not astringent tannins. A fine final acidity brings balance and freshness. Harmonious finish, elegant and beautiful length.

• Château Mauvesin Barton    –    92/100

Fine nose, fresh and aromatic, with notes of black fruits, spices with a hint of vanilla. The oaky is well melted. On the palate, it is well structured with a nice volume. The tannins are fine and are accompanied by a fine acidity. Final fresh, fruity and very pleasant length.

Pauillac

• Château Bellevue-Cardon    –    92/100

The nose is at once rich, complex and of a beautiful depth, we discover a charming bouquet of black fruits, liquorice, with a touch of vanilla, a hint of tobacco and subtle floral notes. The oaky is perfectly integrated. The attack on the palate is ample, generous with great aromatic depth. The tannins are ripe, racy and bring a remarkable structure to the wine, they are accompanied by a fine acidity that gives balance and freshness. The finish is racy and of a very pleasant length.

Saint-Estèphe

• Château Clauzet    –    91/100

Fine and aromatic nose with notes of black fruits, spices and chocolate. Mouth with a beautiful material, well structured and properly balanced. The tannins are ripe, firm and carried by a fresh tension. Finish of a correct length.

• Château de Côme    –    93/100

Fresh nose, deep and aromatic, we perceive its notes of black fruits, spices, mixed with a hint of tobacco and a delicate woody. In the mouth, it is ample, dense, with beautiful aromatic. The structure is brought by a fine and elegant tannic weave. The final tension gives balance, freshness and brings the wine in a very attractive aromatic persistence.

• Château Domeyne    –    93/100

Charming, airy and deep, the nose reveals, at first, its notes of black fruits, licorice, pepper, with a hint of tobacco. In a second time, we can discover a very subtle floral character that brings a lot of elegance and complexity. The attack on the palate is delicate. Ample, the wine gains volume in the middle of the mouth. With a beautiful structure thanks to its fine and straight tannins, the balance is due to a fine acidity. Final where it mixes freshness, refinement and length.

• Château Graves de Pez    93+/100

Black fruits, pepper, liquorice with a hint of tobacco, the nose is both rich, fresh and expressive. The mouth is ample, dense and has a nice velvety texture. Very well structured thanks to mature tannins full of finesse. The balance is brought by a fine tension that brings the wine. Finish full of refinement, freshness and length.

• Château Puy Castéra    –    92/100

Fresh and deep nose with notes of black fruit, liquorice, with a hint of vanilla. A fine floral touch brings an airy side to the wine. The attack on the palate is delicate and silky. The wine gains in volume in mid-mouth. The tannins are fine, and are accompanied by a nice acidity. The finish is fruity, fresh and elegant length.

• Château de Pez    –    94/100

Seductive, aromatic and complex, the nose opens with very nice notes of black fruits, licorice, tobacco, with subtle floral notes that give a lot of refinement. The palate is large, dense and has a remarkable structure. The tannins line the palate with their finesse and elegance. The balance is just perfect, especially thanks to a wonderful acidity that brings freshness. Finish where intensity and aromatic persistence blend, all in perfect harmony.

• Château Tronquoy    –    94/100

Airy, rich, complex, with depth, the nose reveals its delightful notes of black fruits, spices, chocolate, with a hint of tobacco and a very subtle floral touch. The attack on the palate is delicate and refined. In the middle of the mouth, the wine gains amplitude and density thanks to ripe, straight tannins, which bring a lot of structure. A fresh acidity gives the perfect balance. Finish full of elegance, charm and persistence. In addition to the name and label change, 2022 is a vintage that will undoubtedly leave its mark.

Saint-Julien

• Château Teynac    –    93/100

Seductive, elegant with richness and depth, the nose offers us its wonderful notes of black fruits, spices, vanilla, with a floral touch full of refinement. The mouth is both delicate, generous with a beautiful aromatic intensity. A fine and racy tannic texture gives all the structure of the wine, the perceived fine acidity, on the other hand, brings the freshness that comes to balance the whole. Elegance and persistence for a final that reminds us that we are in Saint-Julien.