The 2022 Petit Cantenac has an attractive bouquet with raspberry coulis, crushed strawberry and black truffle scents. Dried herbs and curry leaf aromas emerge with time. The palate is velvety on the entry, with graphite-tinged red fruit mixed with black pepper and a dash of soy toward the slightly al dente finish. Moderate length. Delightful.

80% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. See Clos Cantenac 2022 background notes for the winemaking here. The main difference is the selection of fruit and then the barrel selection. Barrel sample. Intense crimson with purplish rim. Aromas of sweet black fruit are ripe and concentrated but also dancing with the Cabernet Franc cedary freshness. Masses of fruit sweetness on the palate, the sweetness increased by the oak. Some hints of chocolate. Very soft tannins, really velvety already. Just fresh enough for balance with bite of freshness at the very end to counterbalance the sweetness of fruit and oak. Caressing, the tannins building gently on the finish to become more chewy and assertive though the first impression is surprisingly (or deceptively?) soft for such a young wine. (JH)

80% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. Cask sample. Pretty, fragrant wine. Already appealing, the texture supple, the tannins light but fine. Sufficient freshness. Well judged and not overplayed. (JL)