Château Grand Barrail Lamarzelle Figeac Saint-Émilion Grand Cru 2022 i trækasse

Decanter

Light, fresh and fragrant, nicely scented and open, expressive and generous on the nose. Masy and lovely texture, filling but also quite juicy and fresh. Tannins are at the fore, they fill the mouth but with a fun friendliness, no harshness at all. Supple, but lean and clean, a purity to the expression which is lovely. Will be so easy to drink when bottled still with clear underlying power and concentration. I love the licks of liquorice and stone. Aged 12 months, 21% in new oak barrels. Harvest 13 September - 30 September. HVE certified.

The Vintage Journal

James Suckling

Fine notes of white pepper and roasted spices to the bright red cherries, berries and plums. Medium-bodied on the palate with stony tannins and a firm, juicy finish. Drink from 2026.

Jane Anson

Ripe red fruits, fleshy raspberry and sage spice, subdued armatics but plenty of textural impact and some restraint shown here. Coffee bean and grilled cedar as it opens. 15ha vineyard, Bertrand Arpin estate director, Dourthe Vignobles.

Alexandre Ma

The wine has a deep color and a fresh, unadulterated aroma, with the scent of black fruits interwoven with a light hint of iris, which is very pleasing. It is soft and smooth on the palate, with delicate tannins and maintains a good balance overall. The unique scent of graphite and pencil shavings in this vintage adds a special flavor. Last year, I highly praised the winery’s aging in clay jars, and now it seems that this experimentation has indeed brought more possibilities to Château Grand Barrail.

Bettane et Desseauve

Bettane & Desseauve

The Drinks Business

A big wine in this vintage but with polished berry fruit – a mix of red and black. This is punchy though with ultimately quite fine-grained yet grippy tannins. Subtle spicing, but another St Emilion in 2022 that is all about the almost crunchy fruit. Purity and focus rather more than complexity, even if there is a little layering with the tannins revealing if not the milles feuilles then perhaps the cents feuilles! Juicy and plump on the finish. I like the energy here. 91-93.

Vert de Vin Magazine

"The nose is elegant, flowery and offers a delicate side. It reveals notes of luscious/fresh blackberry, fresh violet and slight notes of fresh lily associated with touches of fresh raspberry, hints of fresh sweet spices as well as a hint of bergamot, camphor and a discreet hint of clove. The palate is fruity, balanced and offers freshness, minerality, a mineral/tangy frame, tension, accuracy, depth as well as a nice mid-palate. On the palate, this wine expresses notes of juicy/pulpy blackberry, violet and slight notes of crushed berries associated with touches of luscious purple plum, slight hints of star anise as well as a discreet hint of Bourbon vanilla pod, roasting and a subtle saline hint. Good length."