The blend has a slightly Merlot dominance, at just over 53%, the remainder more Cabernet Sauvignon than Cabernet Franc, although the latter still accounts for 11%. The élevage was in 63% new oak. Dark, toasted rather introverted on the nose compared to La Mission which was of course tasted alongside, with savoury dark fruits and a little crushed oyster shell. This continues on the palate which is rather brooding, with a fibrous core of sinew, wrapped in tendons of dark fruit, while all around buzz the toasted, savoury, smoky elements, draped over an intensely charged structure of vibrant, firm, tightly knit and lightly drying tannins. This is a substantial Haut-Brion with great potential, as indicated by the incredibly long, charged, electric finish.

The depth and concentration is clear. Cocoa bean, espresso, gingerbread spice, all as you would expect in this type of vintage, but given restraint and understated finesse by mint leaf, pomegranate, mandarin peel, a gathering of lightness, nuance and grace. Exceptional quality, give it plenty of time because these are muscular tannins, and this is a wine that will go the distance and then some. Jean-Philippe Masclef technical director, Jean-Philippe Delmas director.

A blockbuster of a wine from this château, the 2022 Château Haut-Brion is based on 53.6% Merlot, 35.4% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 11% Cabernet Franc. It's slightly deeper hued than its sibling, the La Mission Haut-Brion, and brings a slightly firmer, more masculine style in its smoky blackcurrants, scorched earth, graphite, violet, and tobacco-driven aromas and flavors. As good as it gets on the palate, this sensationally layered, seamless Haut-Brion has medium to full-bodied richness, a sensationally pure, multi-dimensional mouthfeel, building yet polished tannins, and an incredible finish. It deserves at least a decade in the cellar (it's clearly enjoyable even today), and I suspect it will evolve for 50-75 years or more, given its balance, concentration, and structure. 98+