2022 Château De Carles Fronsac Bordeaux

• "Pretty Succulent on the Palate" ~92 James Suckling
• "A Beautiful Vintage" 95-98 Point Vintage ~WS
• 100pt Consultant Winemaker Jean-Luc Thunevin
• BHW has the Lowest Price Anywhere!
• Free Shipping on 12 or More Bottles

About the Wine

Château de Carles dominates the Isle Valley in the heart of Fronsac. A property with centuries of history, it dates back to the 14th century, later becoming a Renaissance landmark where great thinkers like Montaigne and La Boétie gathered.

Owned by the Chastenet de Castaing family for over 120 years, the estate continues its legacy of craftsmanship, now guided by the fourth generation.

Since 1994, Château Haut-Carles has been meticulously crafted from a 17-hectare vineyard, planted on clay and clay-limestone soils with vines averaging 35 years old.

With expertise from Jean-Luc Thunevin, Dr. Alain Reynaud, and Jean-Philippe Fort at Michel Rolland’s consultancy, this estate produces one of Fronsac’s finest wines.

2022 was an extraordinary vintage for Bordeaux, it was blessed with a 95-98 pt review by Wine Spectator who said: "A beautiful vintage. Merlot berries were small and concentrated; Cabernet Franc also relished the conditions. Wines are very aromatic and sleek, with Pomerol and St.-Emilion excelling"

Aging: 16 to 18 months in French oak (50% new)

Aging:

Tasting Notes

100% Merlot. Expect a silky, aromatic expression of Fronsac, with layers of black cherries, cassis, and violets, interwoven with dark chocolate, espresso, and a touch of toasted oak. The palate is lush and creamy, yet structured with fine minerality, balanced tannins, and a long, polished finish.

Critic Review

Black cherries covered in chocolate, smoke, spice, licorice and flowers form the perfume. The wine is rich, lush and creamy with espresso, dark chocolate, plums and blackberries in the mid-palate and in the vibrant, polished finish. Drink from 2025-2034." ~93-94 Jeff Leve, The Wine Cellar Insider

Deep dark ruby, purple reflections, subtle brightening on the rim. Fine spicy herbal touch, sweet red cherries, some cloves, subtle smoky nuances. Medium body, red berry nuances, discreet tannins, freshly structured, lemony-salty finish, already well developed. ~93 Falstaff

A juicy and fine-grained Fronsac with a touch of hazelnuts, hibiscus and grapefruit to the background of spiced red berries. Pretty succulent on the palate, this has medium body and fresh red fruit in the middle. Tight but fruit-expressive in the finish. Drink from 2026. ~92 James Suckling

The nose is spicy and concentrated. It expresses notes of wild blackcurrant, blackberry and - more lightly - violet, combined with fine touches of balsamic, crushed berries, pepper and a discreet hint of fresh grove/varietal. Fruity on the palate, with minerality, smoothness, precision, minerality and fine creaminess. It expresses notes of pulpy/juicy blackberry, violet and - more lightly - pulpy/juicy blackcurrant, combined with touches of cherry, cherry blossom, tonka bean, noble varietal and a subtle hint of nutmeg and toastiness.~92 VertdeVin

Lots of red and black fruits, spice, and tobacco notes define the 2022 Haut Carles, a medium-bodied Fronsac with a nicely concentrated mouthfeel, quality tannins, and solid length on the finish.~91 Jeb Dunnuck

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