2022 Domaine de Baron'Arques

A solid, driven and well-structured Limoux with aromas of dark cherries, dried herbs, dark chocolate, bark and baking spices on the nose. It’s full-bodied with fine, firm tannins. Intense on the palate with a fleshy core of berries and spices and a long, focused finish. Try after 2026.

The 2022 Limoux is based on 49% Merlot, 23% Syrah, 17% Cabernet Franc, 6% Malbec, and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon that spent a year in one-third new barrels. It's a juicy, upfront 2022 with a healthy deep purple hue and classy notes of blue fruits, violets, spring flowers, and red cherries, nicely integrated spicy oak, medium to full body, and a lively spice of acidity. It's youthful and unevolved, yet it opens up nicely with extended air (I followed this bottle for multiple days), and I love its overall balance and purity. It should round into form nicely over the coming 2-3 years or so and evolve gracefully over the following decade.

Dominant Syrah personality in this vintage comes through in spiced raspberry, fragrant liqourice, white tea and black pepper spice. Juicy, good persistency, great quality. Augustin Deschamps director, Fabrice Boullier winemaker. Tasted twice.