The 2022 Château Barde-Haut checks in as the usual blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc that was brought up 50 to 60% new barrels, with the balance in once- and twice-used barrels, with a small amount in tank. Gorgeous black raspberries, blue fruits, smoky tobacco, violets, and crushed stone all define the aromatics, and it's medium to full-bodied on the palate, with a silky, elegant mouthfeel, ultra-fine tannins, and a great, great finish. It’s not far off the style of the 2020 (and 2010), and is a rocking little Saint-Emilion to enjoy over the coming 20+ years.

Oceanic salts, truffles, smoke, flowers, licorice, and dark, red pit fruits show in the nose with a single swirl. The palate, with its layers of elegant, silky-textured fruits expresses a beautiful sense of purity to the fruits from the mid-palate, through to the finish. The lingering endnotes serve up ample freshness, length, and a refreshing, minty charm that entices you to take another sniff and sip, to experience it all over again. This is the best vintage of Barde Haut ever produced! Bravo!!! The wine blends 80% Merlot with 20% Cabernet Franc. Drink from 2027-2050. Read more at:https://www.thewinecellarinsider.com/wine-tasting-note/?vintage=2022&wine=Chateau%20Barde-Haut

(94 - 96 points) The 2022 Barde Haut, 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc, is deep garnet-purple in color. It rocks up with ready-to-go notes of plum preserves, baked blackberries, and Indian spices followed by suggestions of tilled soil, Ceylon tea, and black olives. The full-bodied palate is jam packed with tightly wound black fruits and earthy accents, supported by firm, ripe, rounded tannins and fantastic freshness, finishing long and minerally. pH 3.39.

The 2022 Barde-Haut is stellar. A rich, heady wine, the 2022 offers up copious blue/purplish fruit, licorice, lavender, chocolate and incense. Layered and beautifully resonant in the glass, Barde-Haut exudes class and personality. -- Antonio Galloni

Inky colour, clear floral aromatics, this is charming and enticiting, with polish and finesse. Love the confident grip of the tannins, that hold the fruit but know just when to let go and let the creamy blueberry and damson fruits expand through the plate. 55% new oak, a reduction from levels in the past, and the subtle smoked cedar character is well judged. 3.45ph,

(WA 91-93+ points) Unwinding in the glass with aromas of plums, wild berries, dark chocolate and creamy new oak, the 2022 Barde-Haut is medium to full-bodied, rich and fleshy, with a taut, youthfully structured profile and youthfully firm tannins. Exhibiting attractive purity of fruit and tension, gentler extraction would have seen it score higher. - William Kelley