2022 La Grave a Pomerol

Mulled black cherries, mulberries, saddle leather, and cedary herb and spicy notes all shine in the 2022 Château La Grave, a classy, complex Pomerol based on 89% Merlot and 11% Cabernet Franc. Medium to full-bodied, nicely balanced, and elegant, it has velvety tannins and a round, layered mouthfeel that makes it hard to resist today. This gorgeous La Grave will evolve nicely over the coming 15 years or so.

The 2022 La Grave is more introverted than the preceding Lafleur-Gazin on the nose and demands some coaxing to reveal its touches of blackberry, boysenberry, melted asphalt and mint. It just needs a little more precision. The palate is medium-bodied, fleshy and open, with supple tannins and a sweet core of black fruit laced with white pepper and peppercorns. It coheres nicely toward the finish and therefore it finishes on a high note.

Medium intensity ruby red, plenty of depth through the mid palate here, has the classic bitter fennel and high spice of 2022, with plenty of cocoa bean and supple smoked caramel infused tannins. A little marked by the heat of the year just in terms of the length of the finish, but enjoyable, medium term drinking. JP Moueix owners, 8ha on classic gravel and fine clay soils. harvest September 5 to 19,