2022 Le Crock

A blend of 44% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot, 11% Cabernet Franc and 5% Petit Verdot, the 2022 Le Crock reveals a delicate, elegant bouquet of dark wild berries, spices, cherries, flowers and licorice. Medium to full-bodied, dense and layered, it's enrobing with a delicate, elegantly structured core of fruit enhanced by velvety tannins and a fresh, menthol-inflected finish. This is a strong performance.

Full bottle 1,280 g. The estate's status as a cru bourgeois exceptionelle has just been confirmed in the most recent (2025) classification. 44% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot, 11% Cabernet Franc, 5% Petit Verdot, hand harvested. Malo in new barrels, ageing 18 months in barrel, of which 30% new and the rest one year old. pH 3.71. Vibrant and very dark crimson with black core and purplish rim. Refined but intense aroma of pure black fruit, the fruit shining above the impression of oak, though the oak is definitely present. There's pure vibrant cassis as well as sweeter blackberry and mulberry. Powerful, deliciously dry in its tannic texture. Dark, savoury and with the stony character so typical of the appellation. Chalky-chewy tannins are in perfect harmony with the fruit. Incipient elegance and a fine dry aftertaste but in no way drying. (JH)

Due to the high quality of all the parcels, there's no second wine from Château Le Crock in 2022. The 2022 Château Le Crock is certainly no worse for it, revealing a beautiful purple hue as well as medium to full-bodied aromas and flavors of ripe currants, violets, graphite, and black cherries, with a kiss of classic Saint-Estèphe damp earth. It's balanced and has ripe, building tannins and a great finish. It will keep for 20-25 years with ease.