Born in the heart of the Graves, facing illustrious neighbours, the Château Haut-Plantade 2022, Pessac-Léognan AOC embodies the mineral elegance and smoky nobility so prized by the appellation. This refined wine, from a meticulous family estate, combines aromatic depth with aristocratic poise. Its signature, both juicy and finely chiselled, reveals pure fruit highlighted by measured oak expression, never ostentatious. For the gourmet seeking a table red that pairs as well with conversation as with fine cooking, it offers a clear reading of the terroir, precise cellar work and a promise of subdued emotion. You will appreciate its intensity without harshness, its vibrant length, and that veil of smoke and graphite, a poetic trace of the warm Graves soils and the flaming pine of the surrounding woods.

Blend and winemaking

Composed in the appellation’s classic balance, this Pessac-Léognan marries Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot in a harmony the estate has refined for generations. The vineyard, managed under HVE-certified sustainable viticulture, receives constant care from harvest through ageing. The grapes, sorted with extreme attention, are vinified to preserve fruit brightness and the purity of the structure. Ageing, partially in oak according to Pessac-Léognan practices, aims to integrate fine tannins and that emblematic smoky nuance of the cru. The result is a precise red, built around generous flesh and savoury freshness, which admirably supports both cellaring and early drinking.

Tasting notes

• Colour : Deep garnet lit with purple highlights, promising dense, luminous substance, with a sheen that underlines the youth of the vintage.
• Nose : Initial notes of red and black berries – raspberry, ripe strawberry, blackcurrant – followed by discreet vanilla, hints of blond tobacco, a streak of graphite and an elegant gunflint. A touch of smoke weaves the whole with restraint.
• Palate : Straight attack, silky yet chalky tannins, a juicy mid‑palate of black cherry and blackcurrant, fine spices and integrated oak. The finish extends with a salivating tension, recalling the minerality of the Graves and a persistent smoky imprint.

Serving temperature and recommendations

Serve this Pessac-Léognan between 16 and 18°C in a large-bowled glass to showcase its bouquet. Decanting for around 1 hour softens youthful vigour and reveals additional balsamic and spicy nuances. Store bottles at rest, away from light and temperature fluctuations, to preserve the integrity of the fruit and the gentle complexity of the oak. Its ageing potential can be appreciated over several years, depending on cellar conditions, allowing the smoky framework to refine and the tannins to develop with nobility.

Food pairings

• Aperitifs : Comté gougères, duck rillettes, mini mushroom puff pastries, black tapenade on grilled country bread.
• Starters : game terrine, aged beef carpaccio, perfect egg with porcini, roasted peppers with anchovy dip.
• Main courses : braised rib of beef, duck breast with warm spices, roast milk‑fed lamb, risotto with brown mushrooms, parmentier of confit beef cheek.
• Cheeses : aged Comté, mountain tomme, extra‑old mimolette, Cantal «entre‑deux».
• Desserts : spiced poached pear, lightly sweet dark chocolate biscuit, caramelised walnuts with cocoa foam.

Tasting occasions

Château Haut-Plantade 2022 readily takes its place at your table for select interludes, when the desire to share meets the pursuit of balance and depth.

• For a gastronomic dinner where the refinement of the dish calls for the precision of the wine.
• As a signature pairing with a piece of aged beef, when discreet smokiness and the texture of tannin accentuate the meat.
• As a connoisseur's gift, to introduce or delight a palate sensitive to the minerality of the Graves.

Characteristics

• Name : Château Haut-Plantade 2022 - Pessac-Léognan AOC
• Appellation : Pessac-Léognan AOC
• Type : Red wine, Fine wines
• Vintage : 2022
• Grape varieties : Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot (classic blend of the appellation)
• Alcohol content : approx. 14.5% vol
• Ageing : partially in oak, in the spirit of the appellation's practices
• Bottle size : 75 cl
• Cellaring : 5 to 12 years depending on cellar conditions
• Serving temperature : 16–18°C