2022 Château Siran, Margaux

A brilliant quality Siran, full of depth and grip, slate-textured tannins to provide contrast to the ripe black fruits, and help draw out of the nuance in the rich flavours. Has juice and pleasure, and is an enjoyable and quietly confident wine in a year where excess was the easier route. Ageing in 35% new French oak barrels. One to look out for, from the Miaihle family.

This has structure and depth, serious tension, with slate, vibrant citrus, graphite, white pear, apricot, aniseed, liquorice, star anise, creamy but with a slice of steel that cuts through it. Brilliant quality, this is a standout white. Harvest August 18 to September 2. 50% new oak. Technical director Fabien Teitgen.

The flagship 2022 Château Smith Haut Lafitte Blanc is a normal blend of 90% Sauvignon Blanc and 5% each of Sauvignon Gris and Sémillon. Aged in 55% new French oak, it shines in the vintage and brings plenty of classic richness and depth while at the same time staying pure, clean, and balanced. Honeyed lemon, orange blossom, white flowers, and crushed stone all define the aromatics, and it has a beautiful mouthfeel that certainly brings the richness and depth of the vintage. This is another gem of a white from this incredible château.

The 2022 Siran is a real success, bursting with aromas of sweet berries, cassis, licorice and pencil shavings, followed by a medium to full-bodied, supple and fleshy palate. This charming, succulent Margaux is sure to be one of the commune's better value propositions.

It appears likely that the 2022 Smith Haut Lafitte Blanc will overtake its 2019 counterpart as one of the most successful white wines this estate has produced to date, something that's especially impressive in the context of the vintage. Exhibiting aromas of linden, menthol, crisp orchard fruit and smoke, it’s medium to full-bodied, fleshy and crystalline, with racy acids and an unctuos mid-palate. Chalky structuring dry extract makes its presence felt on the long, mineral finish. This is a blend of 90% Sauvignon Blanc, 5% Sémillon and 5% Sauvignon Gris.

Attractive berry fruit here with spices and orange peel undertones. Medium- to full-bodied, toned and steady with compact tannin structure. Deep. Long finish with stony minerality. Most structured yet fine Siran I have tasted for a long time.

This zooms over the palate from the minute you taste it with energetic acidity, grapefruit, pear, lemon and white peach character. Dried, candied lemon. Crushed stone, too. Medium-bodied with polish and class. 90% sauvignon blanc, 5% semillon and 5% sauvignon gris.

The 2022 Siran is one of the best wines I have tasted from the property. Silky, aromatic and light on its feet, Siran is exceptionally polished. Crushed red berry fruit, mint, chalk and white pepper all grace this exquisite Margaux. Superb.

The 2022 Smith Haut Lafitte Blanc is airy, weightless and gracious. Citrus confit, mint, white pepper and tangerine oil and a kiss of French oak are all beautifully lifted. There’s lovely richness and texture but without the opulence of most warm, dry years. The 2022 will be a gorgeous wine at the dinner table.