En Primeur 2022

The 2022 Pédesclaux is terrific. It shows a level of finesse that has not always been present here. There's plenty of richness and power, but also better balance than in some years. Spice, leather, menthol, rose petal, licorice and a discreet touch of oak are beautifully woven together. This is a fine vintage for Pédesclaux.

Score: 92 - 94 Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com Maturity: 2028-2047

Now certified organic, the 2022 Pedésclaux exhibits aromas of dark berries, plums and pencil shavings, followed by a medium to full-bodied, suave and refined palate that's a touch lean on the finish. As it fleshes out with élevage, it should come into better balance.

Score: 89 - 91 William Kelley, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com

The 2022 Pédesclaux was picked 12 to 27 September and aged in 65% new oak. This has far more fruité than the Deuxième Vin, plush black cherries and boysenberry fruit, more floral in style with neatly integrated oak. The palate is medium-bodied with slightly chalky tannins, good tension, gentle grip with a graphite infused, powdery-textured finish. A hint of brine on the aftertaste. Very fine, though I would like to see it develop a little more sustain.

Score: 91 - 93 Neal Martin, Vinous.com Maturity: 2027-2047

The 2022 Le Petit Ducru pulses with notable energy. Graphite, lavender, mocha and licorice play off a core of blue/purplish fruit in this mid-weight, vibrant Saint-Julien. All the elements are so well-balanced. This is beautifully done.

Score: 91 - 93 Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com Maturity: 2025-2034

The 2022 Le Petit Ducru has turned out especially well this year, offering up aromas of cherries and raspberries mingled with tobacco leaf and pencil shavings, followed by a medium to full-bodied, velvety and fleshy palate that's unusually supple and polished.

Score: 90 - 92 William Kelley, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com

The 2022 Le Petit Ducru de Ducru Beaucaillou, which includes declassified lots of the First and Second wine, has a svelte bouquet with plush red cherries, raspberry coulis, tobacco and light floral scents. The 43% new oak is neatly enmeshed. The palate is fresh and structured on the entry. This is quite Pauillac-like in style, thanks to the graphite element. It's taut and linear before fanning out toward the finish. This is an impressive Le Petit Ducru.

Score: 89 - 91 Neal Martin, Vinous.com Maturity: 2026-2040

The 2022 Le Petit Mouton de Mouton Rothschild is laced with sumptuous red-toned fruit, pomegranate, mint, blood orange and rose petal. Silky tannins wrap it all together in style. Le Petit Mouton captures the exotic side of the year nicely and yet retains terrific energy throughout.

Score: 91 - 93 Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com Maturity: 2028-2042

Representing some 29% of the estate's production this year, the 2022 Le Petit Mouton shares much of the character of the grand vin, offering up a rich bouquet of cassis, dark berries, espresso roast and cigar wrapper, followed by a medium to full-bodied, velvety and layered palate that's fleshy and concentrated, with powdery tannins and an expansive finish.

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

The 2022 Le Petit Mouton has an intense bouquet with violet infused cassis and blackberry fruit, just a faint touch of Medjool dates in the background. It opens extremely confidently in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with firm tannins. Structured, granular in texture and multi-layered, it's quite difficult to recognize this as a mere Deuxieme Vin. Long on the aftertaste, this is an outstanding Le Petit Mouton.

Score: 92 - 94 Neal Martin, Vinous.com Maturity: 2028-2054

The 2022 La Petite Eglise is quite dense and inward at this stage. The Cabernet Franc is especially dominant today, both in the wine's aromatic profile and overall feel. It's a serious second wine that demands at least a few years in the cellar. Time in the glass brings out notable fruit richness as the Merlot gains volume to match the aromatic presence and structure of the Franc.

Score: 92 - 94 Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com Maturity: 2028-2042

This is an impressive Petite Eglise, has a sweet subtle spicing, lovely black pepper and great juice. Slate, black chocolate, espresso, mandarin peel, so many layers, delicious. 34hl/h yields. Harvest August 31 (earliest ever) to September 9, 60% new oak. Noemie Durantou winemaker.

Score: 93 Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux Maturity: 2026-2040

The second wine of the château (although it comes from the same parcels each year) is solid and should easily be an outstanding wine. Based on 85% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Franc, the 2022 La Petite Eglise has ripe red and black fruits, some graphite, tobacco, and rocky minerality, medium body, supple tannins, and a great finish.

Score: 90 - 92 Jeb Dunnuck, JebDunnuck.com

The 2022 Phélan Ségur is shaping up to be a gem. A burst of dark red/purplish fruit makes a strong opening statement. Sweet floral, spice and pomegranate caress the palate. The 2022 is immediately sensual and engaging. There is a bit of graininess in the tannin that is the only question mark here. This will be a fascinating wine to follow. Tasted three times.

Score: 91 - 94 Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com Maturity: 2028-2047

Unwinding in the glass with aromas of cherries, crème de cassis, sweet berries and spices, framed by creamy new oak, the 2022 Phélan Ségur is medium to full-bodied, rich and concentrated, with plenty of sweet fruit and chewy structuring tannin. It's a persuasive Saint-Estèphe in a more modern, extracted style.

Score: 91 - 93 William Kelley, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com

The 2022 Phélan Ségur was picked between 14 and 26 September, 9 out of 13 days with one plot immediately after another, using selected indigenous yeasts for around half the production. It was cropped at 28hL/ha with 14.2% alcohol at the moment, the pH is 3.8. This year contains higher Merlot (56%) due to its higher yield than Cabernet (frost and berry size). On June 20 at 8.15pm, three blocks were hit by hail that was horizontal accompanied by 25mm of rain within 10 minutes. This cost them 30% production overall. "We did less extraction at the end of the alcoholic fermentation and stopped the pumping over two days earlier at 1.010 [which without getting too technical is the Gravity of one liter of must relative to one liter of distilled water] and did more like an infusion." Aged in 55% new oak, it has an enticingly pure bouquet with blackberry and bilberry fruit, blackcurrant, iris flower and light iodine scents. Very intense and focused. The palate is medium-bodied with svelte tannins, a liberal sprinkling of freshly cracked black pepper laced over the black fruit. A quintessentially Saint-Estèphe with a structured and very persistent finish. Allowing the wine to open in the glass, it reveals impressive depth (more so than the 2019 and 2020) and precision. This will require several years in bottle, but it will certainly be worth the wait.

Score: 95 - 97 Neal Martin, Vinous.com Maturity: 2030-2065