2022 Castera
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Tasting notes
The 2022 Château Castera is mostly Merlot, yet with smaller amounts of Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, and Cabernet Franc. Its deeper ruby/plum hue is followed by a sumptuous Médoc that has darker cherry and cassis-like fruit as well as notes of graphite, classy oak, and scorched earth. It's beautifully textured, medium to full-bodied, has ripe tannins, and a great finish. It's light years better than the 2010 I was able to taste during this trip.
Critic scores
Average Score
Jancis Robinson MW
Neal Martin
More reviews and scores
The 2022 Castera still has a rather earthy, slightly Bretty nose but is cohesive with a sense of vigor. The palate is medium-bodied with a sapid black fruit note. It's a little soft at the center, but the acidity manages to bind this together and feel composed on the finish. Fine.
Cru bourgeois supérieur. 65% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cabernet Franc and 5% Petit Verdot, on clay limestone, Pyrenean gravel. Yield 30 hl/ha. Aged for 12 months in French oak barrels, one-third new. Quite an intense nose. Lots of polish and refined tannins. And real life lurking under the fruit and tannin. (JR)
Alcohol throws things a little out of balance, putting the emphasis on the oak tannins rather than the fruit, but as it settles through the mid palate, there is an intensity and concentration that has an appeal. 40% new oak, Eric Boissenot consultant. Harvest September 14 to October 5.