Château Branas Grand Poujeaux 2022

The first vintage with a higher proportion of Cabernet (55%), which gives the wine radiance; floral, with dried herbs over cassis and black cherries; on the palate, powerful, generous fruit, ultra-fine tannins, great tension; spicy, red-fruited, very long finish. The best Branas I’ve ever been able to taste. Buy recommendation!

A juicy, sun-kissed nose full of strawberry and cherry fruit. Fleshy and ripe, the fruit is clearly concentrated but there’s lots of freshness here too. An undercurrent of liquorice, bitter dark chocolate and wet stones adds nuance and carries the minerality and spice through to the long finish. Tannins are excellent and this feels finessed, yet still a touch compact, tense and toasty at this stage. Once it relaxes and softens, it will be lovely.

The 2022 Branas Grand Poujeaux is packed with dark blue/black fruit, espresso, licorice, leather, chocolate and incense. This heady, explosive Moulis is quite the extrovert. It's a style that works well here. Cabernet Sauvignon drives the blend, delivering strong savory inflections and potent tannins that are very much front and center.

Tobacco leaf, cedar, cigar wrappers, and espresso accompany blackberries and currants on the palate. Creamy, vibrant, and lively, there is superb lift and energy here, along with loads of fruit, finishing with a dollop of dark chocolate on the endnote. This is showing much better in bottle than it did in barrel, a good marker for a high-quality wine. Drink from 2026–2042.

Deep dark ruby, opaque core, purple reflections, brightening on the rim. Attractive dark berry fruit, fresh cherries, a bouquet underpinned by floral notes, spicy nuances. Taut, complex, fresh, integrated, supporting tannins, mineral, cherries and nougat on the finish. Shows certain ageing potential, a versatile food wine.

Cassis, graphite, classy oak, and violet notes all emerge from the 2022 Château Branas Grand Poujeaux, a richly textured, medium- to full-bodied, concentrated Moulis that has beautiful tannins, integrated background oak, and a great finish. It needs 4–5 years in the cellar and will unquestionably put a smile on your face over the following 10–12+ years.

Delicately structured red-berried bouquet, light tobacco and lingonberry purée. On the compact palate, a soft texture with finely brittle extract, lively tension and medium body. The focused, finely aromatic finish shows morello cherry, juniper and light tobacco.

Clear precision and flesh to the brambled fruit, has grip and depth, holds on through the palate, firm tannins, blackberry and damson fruits and a ton of blue cheese and salted cracker salinity on the finish to add juice and lift. 16 months in barrel, 50% new oak, 5% amphora for the first time with this vintage. Tasted twice, a few months apart, impressive vintage at this 17ha property that is getting serious about quality.

A subtle, elegant nose with delicate floral notes. On the palate, a growing texture that fills every corner with ripe fruit, carried by vibrant energy and striking generosity. A refined wine.

Deep and subtle, the bouquet of Branas Grand Poujeaux reveals nuances of blackberry and mint complemented by hints of licorice and chocolate. On the palate, the wine confirms the greatness announced by the bouquet. Supported by powerful tannins that provide excellent structure, it also benefits from the precious support of incisive, structuring acidity that energizes the palate and lengthens the finish. A great success!

The nose shows concentration, sweetness and a certain depth. It reveals notes of fleshy blackberry, crushed wild raspberry and, more lightly, cornflower, combined with hints of racy gravel, as well as touches of juicy small fruits, fine hints of blond tobacco, with a touch of smoke and vanilla. On the palate, the wine is beautifully handled, supple, fresh, and delicately creamy, with accuracy and lovely precision. It offers purity and a chiselled edge, elegance and filigree. It expresses notes of pulpy blackcurrant, vibrant blackberry and, more lightly, elegantly roasted raspberry, combined with hints of cornflower, crushed blue fruits, as well as fine touches of tobacco, iodised gravel and blond tobacco, with a touch of roasted hazelnut and chocolate. Good length. Lovely finesse in its definition and gourmandise, with a chocolatey note on the finish.

A fine terroir signature, with firmness but also a fluid texture carried by a tangy backbone. The palette unfolds with dry grass, prunes, cocoa, then, with aeration, freshly cut grass; the slightly slender body brings out somewhat grippy tannins today. The ageing will round it out.