2022 La Chapelle de la Mission (Pessac)

A blend of 55.9% Merlot, 35.4% Cabernet Sauvignon and 8.7% Cabernet Franc, the 2022 La Chapelle de la Mission Haut-Brion offers aromas of dark berries, licorice, graphite, bell pepper and pencil shavings. It’s medium to full-bodied, fleshy and nicely balanced with a tense, fresh and penetrating finish. 90-92+ points

The 2022 La Chapelle de La Mission Haut Brion is a powerful, dense wine, almost shockingly so. Gravel, spice, leather, menthol and dried flowers give the 2022 tons of aromatic presence to play off a core of dark, red-toned fruit. I don’t recall tasting a Chapelle with this much tannin in recent times, going back to the 2010. Readers will find a wine that delivers immense pleasure, though and tons of character. 91-93 points

The 2022 La Chapelle de la Mission Haut-Brion, aged in 40% new oak, has a fragrant bouquet with red cherries and crushed strawberry, well-defined and elegant. The palate is medium-bodied with tarry black fruit, slightly powdery in texture with a pert, saline finish. Very composed with a touch of dark chocolate on the aftertaste. It should give 12 to 15 years of drinking pleasure. 90-92 points