2022 Le Prieure (St-Emilion)

Exhibiting high-toned aromas of dark berries, balsamic cherries and fruit compote, the 2022 Le Prieure is medium to full-bodied, rich and fleshy, with a ripe, heady core of fruit, supple tannins and a saline finish. Calon Segur`s Vincent Millet has big plans for this estate, so it will be an address to follow closely. 89-91 points

Full intensity, given a sculpted quality by the limestone soils. Majors on damson, plums, crab apple and loganberry, offering freshness and lift even with these high alcohols. 30% new oak, and in amphras. Harvest September 13 to September, Vincent Millet director across the group, overseeing Le Prieure and Vray Croix de Gay as well as Calon Segur over in St Estephe. Eric Boissenot consultant as of this year. 40hl/h yield, 3.75ph. 30% new oak, plus one wine barrels and amphoras. 93 points

The 2022 Le Prieure is another magnificent wine from one of Saint-Emilion’s most under the radar properties. Dark blue/purplish fruit, gravel, spice, menthol and lavender are all finely delineated. As always, Le Prieure is a wine of cool sophistication and finesse. Clean mineral notes extend the finish effortlessly. Superb. 94-96 points

The 2022 Le Prieure is a blend of 92% Merlot and 8% Cabernet Franc, delivering a powerful 15.2% alcohol this year. For the first time, it contains fruit from Chateau Malineau, which features more clayey soil that Vincent Millet remarks lends to the cuvée its rondeur. It is matured in 30% new oak for 18 months. It has quite a rich and opulent bouquet, with confit-like blueberry and cassis fruit. I find this conveys less delineation than the Vray Croix de Gay and perhaps previous recent vintages. The palate is sweet and ripe on the entry with vivacious blueberry and cassis fruit, citrus fruit, hints of blood orange with a smear of dark chocolate toward the finish. Quite a "punchy" Saint-Emilion, but I may just prefer the 2020 by comparison. 92-94 points