Haut-Brion Pessac-Léognan 2022

100 points Peter Moser (Falstaff): "Deep dark ruby in colour with an opaque core, purple reflections, and subtle brightening on the rim. On the nose, aromas of ripe cassis, dark cherry, subtle hints of nougat, bergamot, and candied orange zest, multi-faceted like a peacock’s fan. The juicy palate is very lively, not even hinting at its power, with fine red berry nuances and hints of cherry and caramel. This is a wine of enormous length and great seductiveness, never before has a Haut-Brion been so appealing at such an early stage. Simply sensational. (5/11/23)"

98-100 points Jeff Leve (The Wine Cellar Insider): "Picture walking into a flower show with a basket of fresh berries and a lit Cuban cigar, and while that is not quite PC, it is the aromatic profile here. On the palate, the wine is fresh, bright, vibrant, lifted and floral. The wine is elevated, refined, soft, and silky with a refreshing, silky edge to the fruits in the finish. The wine is pure elegance There is nothing between you and the fruits. There is intensity, length, and a striking sense of purity. The wine lingers seamlessly for 60 seconds, or longer. The wine blends 52% Cabernet Sauvignon, 43% Merlot, and 5% Cabernet Franc. 14.45% ABV, 3.83 pH. Harvesting took place August 29 - September 15. Yields were 35 hectoliters per hectare, with 50% of the harvest placed into the Grand Vin. This is not only in competition for wine of the vintage, it is one of the best vintages of Haut Brion ever produced. If you are an Haut-Brion fan with the disposable income, you cannot own enough of this future legend. Drink from 2030-2065. (May 2023)"

98 points Jeb Dunnuck: "A blockbuster of a wine from this château, the 2022 Château Haut-Brion is based on 53.6% Merlot, 35.4% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 11% Cabernet Franc. It's slightly deeper hued than its sibling, the La Mission Haut-Brion, and brings a slightly firmer, more masculine style in its smoky blackcurrants, scorched earth, graphite, violet, and tobacco-driven aromas and flavors. As good as it gets on the palate, this sensationally layered, seamless Haut-Brion has medium to full-bodied richness, a sensationally pure, multi-dimensional mouthfeel, building yet polished tannins, and an incredible finish. It deserves at least a decade in the cellar (it's clearly enjoyable even today), and I suspect it will evolve for 50-75 years or more, given its balance, concentration, and structure. Drink: 2035-2110. (2/27/25)"

97-99+ points Lisa Perrotti-Brown (The Wine Independent): "Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2022 Haut-Brion is a blend of 53.6% Merlot, 35.4% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 11% Cabernet Franc aging in 62.9% new oak. The nose is typically closed and broody, requiring a lot of shaking to wake up enticing notes of iron ore, red roses, lavender, mint tea, and forest floor, leading to a tantalizing core of plum preserves and blueberry pie. The medium to full-bodied palate is very tightly knit with vibrant black and blue fruit layers and red berry sparks, framed by very fine-grained tannins and a refreshing backbone, finishing long and minerally. A classic, breath-taking expression of Haut-Brion, I expect this to remain shy and restrained for the first 10 years so in bottle, and then watch it soar. (5/14/23)"

98 points Antonio Galloni (Vinous): “The 2022 Haut-Brion is powerful and explosive. At the same time, it is incredibly reticent. None of that should be of concern for readers who can wait. Black-toned fruit, gravel, incense, scorched earth and licorice all stain the palate, framed by impenetrable, imposing tannins. A vertical, explosive wine, the 2022 is going to need a number of years to be at its best. I suspect it will be magnificent in many years' time. The Haut-Brion softens with a bit of time in the glass, but it remains very much a blockbuster. Drink: 2032-2072. (Jan 2025)”

98 points Jane Anson (Inside Bordeaux): "(54% Merlot, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Cabernet Franc). The depth and concentration is clear. Cocoa bean, espresso, gingerbread spice, all as you would expect in this type of vintage, but given restraint and understated finesse by mint leaf, pomegranate, mandarin peel, a gathering of lightness, nuance and grace. Exceptional quality, give it plenty of time because these are muscular tannins, and this is a wine that will go the distance and then some. Jean-Philippe Masclef technical director, Jean-Philippe Delmas director. Alcohol 14.5%. Drink: 2032-2050. (12/17/24)"

98 points Neal Martin (Vinous): "The 2022 Haut-Brion retains captivating floral scents on the nose, with peony, violet and plenty of incense combining with intense blackberry and blueberry fruit. It builds in the glass over ten minutes, only then revealing its underlying mineralité. The palate is medium-bodied with pliant tannins, offering more substance and a tad more grip compared directly to the 2022 La Mission Haut-Brion. Alternating between the two, I am more drawn to the First Growth as the finish delivers greater complexity and precision. This is an awesome Haut-Brion for the ages. Drink: 2030-2065. (Feb 2025)"

98 points Georgina Hindle (Decanter): "Dark and brooding aromatics on the nose - blackcurrants, cherries and plums with mint and graphite accents too. Smooth and so juicy, glorious and joyful on the palate - it bursts with ripe red berry fruit that has a touch of crushed stones and fruit flesh giving a textured mouthfeel. Just feels so enjoyable and really quite approachable now. Fruity, soft, svelte - there's sinew but no heaviness. It's sleek and sophisticated, confident but not showy - almost understated. Really fantastic, where LMHB carries a spiced vein with more heat, this is more relaxed and open. Calm and generous in terms of fruit purity with well integrated tannins and wood. Wonderful. Has a delicate charm, layered but really finely presented. 3.83pH. 63% new oak. Drinking Window: 2030-2052. (1/9/25)"

98 points James Suckling: "This is one of the deepest Haut-Brions I have encountered in a long time. The muscular structure takes you down, delivering a long and rather endless finish. Full-bodied with lots of flavor, particularly fruits such as currants as well as black truffles, cedar, walnuts and dark mushrooms. Some dried thyme and crushed stones also. Better give this eight to 10 years. This will improve for decades. Try after 2030. (1/14/25)"

98 points Chris Kissack (Winedoctor): "The blend has a slightly Merlot dominance, at just over 53%, the remainder more Cabernet Sauvignon than Cabernet Franc, although the latter still accounts for 11%. The élevage was in 63% new oak. Dark, toasted rather introverted on the nose compared to La Mission which was of course tasted alongside, with savoury dark fruits and a little crushed oyster shell. This continues on the palate which is rather brooding, with a fibrous core of sinew, wrapped in tendons of dark fruit, while all around buzz the toasted, savoury, smoky elements, draped over an intensely charged structure of vibrant, firm, tightly knit and lightly drying tannins. This is a substantial Haut-Brion with great potential, as indicated by the incredibly long, charged, electric finish. The alcohol on the label is 14.5%. (Dec 2024)"

98 points CellarTracker.com community score.