2022 Citran

Juicy darker fruits (black cherries, currants), smoked earth, and leafy herb notes all emerge from the 2022 Château Citran, a medium to full-bodied, beautifully textured 2022 that has nicely integrated acidity and fine tannins. It's beautifully done, and I'd be shocked if it didn't have two decades of overall longevity. The soils here are more gravelly and sandy, with a touch of limestone, and the 2022 is 62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Merlot, and the rest Cabernet Franc, aged 14 months in barrel.

The 2022 Citran has a backward nose with earthy black fruit that just needs a little more brightness. It's a little sultry. The palate is slightly better with gentle grip and blackberry and bilberry fruit tones. It's quite voluminous on the finish, though it is missing the finesse I was hoping for from barrel, hence a slightly lower score.

Tapenade, minerals, paprika and grilled spices on top of the cassis and ripe cherries. Medium- to full-bodied with nicely chewy tannins and a medium-long, tightly wound finish. Still quite youthful. Drink from 2026.