Château Grand Village, Rouge, Bordeaux Supérieur, 2022
We have to keep re-writing the history books each time we taste the new vintage of Grand Village… 2022 is yet another wine that surpasses all that comes before it. As Les Perrieres grows, the weakest vineyards at Grand Village have been taken out of production, which has had a dramatic effect on volumes and quality. Although only 20% Bouchet (old vine Cabernet Franc genetics from Lafleur), this varietal speaks loudly and clearly on the amazingly sophisticated nose of griotte, plums, spice, bilberry, bramble, stones and flowers. The palate is equally engaging with a plushness and depth to the fragrant core of fruit. Smooth and generous but with a crackle and energy, it finishes with a sense of purity, sapidity and finesse, far more complex and refined than one could or should expect from a wine at this price level. The wonderful linear finish is long and engaging, coated with fine minerals. A superb Grand Village that keeps pushing the boundaries.
critic reviews
This is a blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc, from an increasingly restricted vineyard and the élevage was one-third in new oak barrel for about nine months (these then come to Lafleur for use there), the remainder in second-fill barrels and in tank. The nose is rich in dried fruits and heavily smoked and toasted aromas, with a curious green and vegetal note to it, which makes me wonder if there was some desiccation of the berries on the vine before the harvest. This dried fruit character also comes across on the palate, with a rich core of toasted fruit, and it is fully entwined with a rich wrapping of whisky lactones coming from the oak. It feels warm and spirity as well, and finishes with a dense envelop of drying tannins. This one wears the dry and warm conditions of 2022 on its sleeve. The alcohol on the label is a hearty 15%.
Earthy with softly smoked earth, muscular tannins, cherry pit, raspberry, peony and salted cracker finish. They are increasing the massal selection from Lafleur vine stock in this wine for the Bouchet (Cabernet Franc), which helps give this saline kick on the finish. Harvest September 9 to 23. 30% new oak, 10ha vineyard after restructuring.
The 2022 Grand Village has a wonderful bouquet with blackberry, wild strawberry and black olive scents that blossom in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with firm tannins, a strong marine influence and a slightly grainy texture. There is a keen line of acidity with a precise, sustained finish. Is it the best Grand Village ever? It's up there.
Baptiste Guinaudeau and his team have produced a beautifully pure, perfumed 2022 Grand Village that bursts with aromas of licorice, graphite, blackberries, pencil shaving, iris and fresh mint. Medium to full-bodied, seamless and fleshy, this outstanding wine is perfectly balanced on the palate with velvety tannins and a bright, saline finish. This is one of the very best Grand Villages produced to date, and it benefits from the sort of careful winemaking normally reserved for cru classe wines. Its a blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc, although for the latter grape the Guinaudeau family prefers the local name of Bouchet.
product details
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