Château Croizet-Bages 2022

Reductive nose, somewhat dull impression, dark fruit, juicy palate, powerful and crisp, well‑judged tannins, bitter finish.

A little lean and toasted, some dry tannins emerge quite quickly, filling the mouth with some tension and cedar spice. The fruit is a little overwhelmed by the tannins and structure, giving this a serious and somewhat sombre tone. The ending is clean and it’s not overly spiced in terms of too many oaky flavours, but the texture is still on the intense side and needs to settle before this can be enjoyed.

A refined and polished Croizet-Bages with currants, fresh thyme and basil. It’s medium-bodied with fine tannins and a creamy-textured finish. Medium, fruity and juicy finish. Drink after 2027.

65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot. Cask sample. Firm, dry and very Pauillac. Tight tannic frame, but is there sufficient fruit for the long haul? A touch of chew on the finish. (JL)

The 2022 Croizet Bages is a very pretty, open-knit Pauillac. Crushed flowers, sweet red-toned fruit, blood orange, mint and white pepper are all laced together. Soft, plush contours wrap it all together. The 2022 is on the riper side in terms of profile and weight, but it's well balanced.

It takes just a swirl or two to find all the currants, tobacco, cedar, and floral notes. Medium-bodied, soft, round, with ample sweet red and black fruits at its core, just give it a year or two in the bottle and it will start showing quite well. Drink from 2027–2040.

Dark ruby garnet colour, purple reflections, broad and bright rim. Ripe cherries, red wild berry confit, delicate tobacco nuances, inviting bouquet, medium complexity, sweet texture, a hint of caramel, ripe tannins, already well developed, a charming food wine, versatile. (1/25, +15, PM).

The spicy, complex, medium- to full-bodied 2022 Château Croizet-Bages sports a ruby/plum hue, ample red and black fruits, some leather, incense, and cedar pencil notes, terrific overall balance, ripe tannins, and a great finish. The blend is 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34.5% Merlot, and the rest Petit Verdot, all raised in 50% new barrels.

Velvety tannins, cassis and bilberry, leaping into the pencil-lead and crayon character of Pauillac, and this is an excellent Croizet Bages. Relatively good value for a classified Bordeaux, this is one to recommend and get stuck into — no need to wait too long, just another few years.

A dark nose of forest floor, chocolate and spices. On the palate, the wine is fluid and juicy, with a spicy, energetic edge.

Beautiful concentration and density on the nose, with a marked roasted character (roasted cherry, a hint of roasted meat in the background and roasted bouquet garni). The roasted notes fade after aeration and are joined by juicy, tangy fruit (dominant blackcurrant, morello cherry, bigarreau cherry, juicy red currant), then a sappy touch and pine bark, gentle minty spices (licorice, cardamom, star anise, a hint of vanilla), dark chocolate and tangy cocoa nibs in the background, followed by violet and wild rose, a hint of mint and integrated blackcurrant bud, as well as toasted hazelnut. Lovely juiciness; the palate is airy, enveloping, and primarily fruit-forward. First come flavors of morello cherry, bigarreau cherry, blackcurrant, crushed raspberry, red currant, wild strawberry, along with a minty, spicy edge (licorice, cardamom, vanilla in the background), and a fragrant, airy floral bouquet (violet, wild rose). There are also minty touches of pine sap and pine bark, the tangy character of cocoa nibs and bird cherry. The finish is long and streamlined. A fresh and approachable wine.

Dark color. Intense nose with pure, ripe fruit. Soft, fruity, pleasant palate, but light. Tasty persistence, without tannic edges. Normal length. Blend: 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34% Merlot, 1% Petit Verdot. Alcohol level: 14.5%.

A tasting that builds in intensity, carried by the fine ripeness of the 65% cabernet sauvignon, with an appetizing bouquet of blackberry, blueberry, tobacco leaf, fern, and cedar, and a fairly lively, very well-balanced palate that delivers both indulgence and savoriness. A classic yet unmissable beauty.