BigHammerWines.com

Welcome to the wine world's best-kept secret that's about to blow your mind and your palate. The 2022 Château Leroy-Beauval Bordeaux Supérieur isn't just another bottle on the shelf – it's a liquid love letter to everything that makes French wine legendary, wrapped up in a story so compelling it practically writes itself.

Picture this: nestled halfway between the bustling streets of Bordeaux and the romantic cobblestones of Saint-Émilion, Château Leroy-Beauval sprawls across 75 magnificent hectares of pure wine magic. This isn't just any vineyard – it's a fortress of flavor surrounded by ancient woods and hedges, where every vine tells a story and every grape carries the weight of centuries-old tradition.

When Alexandre and Stéphanie Leroy took the reins in 2011, they didn't just buy a winery – they adopted a sleeping giant. These wine warriors rolled up their sleeves and got busy, drilling two hundred boreholes like treasure hunters searching for liquid gold. And guess what they found? Clay-limestone and gravel soils so spectacular they rival the legendary terroirs of the right bank of the Garonne river. Talk about hitting the jackpot!

But here's where things get really exciting. The 2022 vintage? It's nothing short of miraculous. The folks at Château Leroy-Beauval call it their "rebirth" year, and honestly, they're not being dramatic – they're being accurate. This is the vintage where everything clicked, where the stars aligned, where the wine gods smiled down and said, "This is it."

Thanks to eight natural water sources scattered across the vineyard like nature's own irrigation system, these vines never knew the meaning of stress. While other vineyards were sweating bullets during the growing season, Leroy-Beauval's grapes were living their best life, soaking up sunshine and staying perfectly hydrated. The result? Fruit so ripe and balanced it practically sings in the glass.

From the very first sip, this wine announces itself with the confidence of a seasoned performer taking the stage. The nose delivers an intoxicating bouquet of ripe fruit that's so inviting, you'll want to dive in headfirst. But wait – there's more. The palate is where this wine truly shows off, delivering wave after wave of greedy, fruity flavors that dance across your tongue like a perfectly choreographed ballet.

Then comes the plot twist that'll make wine geeks everywhere weak in the knees: those sultry truffle notes, courtesy of perfectly ripe Merlot, weaving through the wine like silk ribbons. Just when you think it can't get any better, the finish arrives with a whisper of violets that's so elegant, so refined, it's like the wine is signing its autograph on your palate.

This isn't just a wine – it's a testament to what happens when passion meets precision, when tradition embraces innovation, and when Mother Nature decides to show off. The clay and limestone terroir doesn't just speak in this bottle; it practically shouts from the rooftops, announcing its presence with the authority of centuries and the excitement of a bright future.

Château Leroy-Beauval has officially joined the ranks of Bordeaux's rising stars, and the 2022 vintage is their coming-out party. This is the bottle that's going to make people sit up, take notice, and start asking, "How did I not know about this place?" It's approachable enough for your Tuesday night dinner yet sophisticated enough for your most important celebrations.

Aging: French oak barrels, enhancing depth and complexity.

A blend of Cabernet Franc and Merlot, the 2022 Château Leroy-Beauval is a refined yet expressive Bordeaux. Ripe plums, blackberries, and morello cherries lead the aromatic profile, accented by nougat, licorice, and white pepper. The palate is fresh and structured, with chiselled tannins and a touch of caramel and coconut on the finish. Balanced, layered, and effortlessly drinkable.

Deep dark ruby garnet in color with opaque core and purple reflections, delicate brightening on the rim. On the nose, ripe plums, a touch of orange concentrate, and nougat in the background. The palate is medium in complexity, with black wild berries, hints of coconut, and fresh acidity leading to a finish touched by caramel. Uncomplicated drinking pleasure. ~92 Falstaff

Another consistent over-achiever is the 2022 Château Leroy-Beauval, which hails from an estate purchased by Alexandre and Stephanie Leroy in 2012. Coming from 36 hectares of clay and limestone soils on the Right Bank, the blend is 80% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon (which is the highest percentage ever), and the balance Cabernet Franc that will spend 12 months in a mix of tank and barrels, with 60% of the barrels being new. This deep ruby/purple-hued 2022 offers an impressive bouquet of ripe blue fruits, leafy herbs, and chocolate. This carries to a medium to full-bodied, round, supple, delicious red with ripe tannins, plenty of mid-palate depth, and outstanding length. ~90-92 Jeb Dunnuck

The nose is delicately spicy, revealing juicy red fruits (red cherry, morello cherry, ripe plums), white pepper, and licorice. The palate is chiselled and fruity, with a good tannic structure, showcasing red cherry, morello cherry, black plum, white pepper, and cornflower. The grippy tannins are balanced by the maturity of the fruit and vibrant acidity, leading to a pleasant bitterness on the finish. Potential to become a balanced wine. ~90 VertdeVin