2022 Larrivet Haut Brion

The 2022 Château Larrivet Haut-Brion checks in as 61% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Cabernet Franc, and 18% Merlot that spent 16 months in barrel. Its deep ruby/purple hue is followed by a beautifully perfumed, medium to full-bodied, elegant 2022 that has red, blue, and some black fruits, a lifted, floral perfume of incense, smoky tobacco, and blood orange, fine, polished tannins, and a great finish. It's beautifully done, and while it's already accessible, it should age beautifully for two decades.

Lovely aromatics here, dives straight in to a charming, fruit-filled glass, nothing too concentrated in colour or on the nose, still with plenty of personality. Edge of vanilla bean smoke on the nose, there is a sweetness here, raspberry puree, fragrant lemongrass, violet and cherry pit. Enjoyable, fresh acidities on the finish. Dominant Cabernet, with over 80% between Sauvignon and Franc, and a generous for the vintage 40hl/h yield. 15% whole cluster, aged in a mix of amphora, new barrels and one year old barrels. Tasted twice.

The 2022 Larrivet Haut-Brion never engages on the nose as I would like. The nose contains brambly red fruit and soy aromas of moderate complexity. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins. It has moderate depth, though it's missing a little grip on the finish that shows quite a bit of sucrosity. Perhaps this is an early-drinking charmer, but it could have been more.