En Primeur 2022

The 2022 Ferrière is deep, inky and quite potent, but at the same time there is some aggressiveness, especially in the tannins. Some of that starts to dissipate with aeration, but the 2022 remains a bit forbidding in feel. I am cautiously optimistic, mostly based on how strong recent vintages have been, but the 2022 is not an easy wine to taste at this stage. This sample is 70% amphora and 30% new oak prepared for the en primeur tastings, but the finished wine is expected to be composed of lots aged in new oak (40%), once-used oak (40%) and amphora/concrete (20%).

Score: 90 - 92 Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com Maturity: 2030-2042

Given the young average age of this estate's vineyards, its well-draining soils and the extreme vintage, I was a little apprehensive; but the technical team evidently took the conditions in their stride, harvesting the east-facing side of the vines (which sees the A blend of 67% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Merlot and the balance Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, the 2022 Ferrière offers up aromas of dark berries, plums and sweet soil tones, followed by a medium to full-bodied, rich and layered palate that's suave, elegantly muscular and lively. From biodynamically farmed clay-rich gravels, this 18-hectare estate (formerly leased to Château Lascombes) possesses an unusually high proportion of old vines, with fully one-third of their vineyards over 70 years of age.

Score: 92 - 94 William Kelley, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com

The 2022 Ferrière was cropped at 24hL/ha between 12 and 23 September with 13.7% alcohol. Aged in 35% new oak, 35% one-year-old, 20% concrete and 10% amphorae, this has an expressive bouquet with black cherries, cassis and crushed violet scents that explode from the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with great depth, smoothness and gentle grip. This is fairly plush, keeping with the style of the vintage, and has a persistent finish. This represents one of the best wines from Ferrière that I have tasted in a bloomin' long time.

Score: 92 - 94 Neal Martin, Vinous.com Maturity: 2026-2048

Sadly, I did not have good luck with the 2022 Feytit-Clinet. Both samples I tasted were oxidized and disjointed.

Score: - Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com

Excellent appellation signature, great balance, real depth of flavour, and while there are a ton of tannins here, they are smooth and integrated, concentrated but this is a serious wine, with serious ageing potential, and it's absolutely one to look out, damson and black cherry fruit abound, with cocoa bean and incense notes, a buy. 70% new oak.

Score: 95 Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux

I continue to absolutely love the wines from Jeremy Chasseuil’s tiny estate located in the heart of Pomerol. His 2022 Château Feytit-Clinet checks in as 88% Merlot and 12% Cabernet Franc, pulled from 60% of the production, and it sports a dense purple hue to go with a decadent, powerful, full-bodied style in its darker currants, tobacco, chocolate, and graphite-driven aromas and flavors. The tannins are substantial yet ripe and integrated, and it has a great mid-palate and outstanding length.

Score: 96 - 98 Jeb Dunnuck, JebDunnuck.com

A blend of 55% Sauvignon Blanc and 45% Sémillon, the 2022 de Fieuzal Blanc exhibits aromas of spring flowers, lemon oil, al dente pear and peach with flinty hints. Juicy, round and deep, fleshy and fresh with a medium to full-bodied palate, it has a slightly phenolic finish. The aging process should reduce the slight austerity and bring more flesh and substance. YC

Score: 93 - 95 William Kelley, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com

A crunchy and energetic wine from here this year with black berry, black cherry and crushed stone character. Medium-bodied with lively acidity and a fine tannin background.

Score: 94 - 95 James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com

The 2022 Château De Fieuzal is brilliant, and this estate deserves more attention in the market today. Ripe red and black fruits, spring flowers, leafy tobacco, and loamy earth all emerge on the nose, and it's medium to full-bodied, with a supple, layered, elegant mouthfeel and a great finish. I love its overall balance, and this could be a real superstar in the vintage.

Score: 92 - 94 Jeb Dunnuck, JebDunnuck.com

The 2022 Figeac is a magnificent, super-classic Figeac, as odd as that might sound in this freakish vintage. A wine of sublime delicacy and nuance, the 2022 possesses tremendous aromatic presence, finely sculpted fruit and phenomenal persistence. I especially admire the wine's freshness, energy and clean, mineral finish. The 2022 is a towering Figeac, a wine that brilliantly showcases the unique qualities of this site. Figeac is a rare Right Bank estate with gravel and blue clay soils that are not often found here, planted approximately with equal parts Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon.

Score: 96 - 99 Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com Maturity: 2032-2052

A blend of 35% Merlot, 34% Cabernet Franc and 31% Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2022 Figeac is a brilliant wine with which to celebrate this property's elevation to Premier Grand Cru Classé "A" status. Wafting from the glass with aromas of raspberries and cassis mingled with notions of iris, forest floor, cigar wrapper and pencil lead, it's medium to full-bodied, pure and perfumed, with a deep and multidimensional core of fruit, bright acids and beautifully refined tannins. Serious yet civilized, it's the quintessential Figeac, testament to the late Thierry Manoncourt's vision to plant such a large proportion of Cabernet, and on drought-resistant rootstocks. Such is the inherent complexity of Figeac's terroirs that harvest took place sub-block by sub-block between September 1st and 25th. Congratulations are in order for the Manoncourt family, director Frédéric Faye, consulting winemaker Thomas Duclos and all their team.

Score: 98 - 100 William Kelley, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com

The 2022 Figeac was picked between 1-26 September with the pH of 3.7 and 14% alcohol. This wine combines both Left Bank and Right Bank traits due to its blend (as usual), but this year leans more to the Right Bank despite a slightly lower contribution of Cabernet Sauvignon. It is very well defined, fresh and shows lively black fruit, incense and nuanced Chinese tea aromas. The palate is beautifully balanced with a lightly spiced entry, fine depth and with plenty of concentration counterbalanced by finesse toward the graphite-infused finish. Its saline aftertaste beckons you back for another sip. An appropriate way to start your tenure as a Grand Cru Classé "A".

Score: 97 - 99 Neal Martin, Vinous.com Maturity: 2032-2070