Rouget 2022 (750ML)

95-96 JS / 95 JA / 95 DE / 92-94 VM / 91-93 JD / 90-92 WA / 89-91 WI

Very pretty and solid texture with medium velvety tannins, dark and juicy fruit and a flavorful finish. Nice structure as well as balance. - James Suckling

Inky plum in colour, this has a lovely balance, thoroughly enjoyable in its depth and plushness of blackberry and damson fruit character, clear bitter chocolate, mint leaf, eucpalyptus, slate and liqourice. It's big and expands through the palate, and you feel the tannins step by step building to full impact by the close of play - but that is the way to do it, where it starts small and then builds. It's concentrated, in the spirit of the vintage, and has plenty of Pomerol signature in its velvety tannins and bitter black chocolate finish, and even the flash of heat on the finish is taken in its stride. Great construction, waves of oyster shell and saffron, and this is an exceptional Rouget from owner Edouard Labruyère. 30% new oak. - Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux

Bright and forward on the nose, smells deep but lively, perfumed and vibrant. Smooth and rich with a chew to the present tannins giving a fleshy, ample feel to the palate while the acidity gives the bounce and the ripe black fruit gives the density and concentration. Feels powerful, just reigned in well enough to be vibrant and not too heavy, but there's heft here no doubt. Strong, characterful but the acidity just about keeps things fun. A touch tense at the end, restricting some of the length with toast, cedar and clove spice that lingers. A bit more serious at this point than some though still with plenty of appealing Pomerol swagger. 3.6pH. Rolland & Associés consultants. - Georgina Hindle, Decanter

The 2022 Rouget is compelling right out of the gate. Succulent dark red cherry fruit, spice, cloves, menthol and licorice all race across the palate. Medium in body and wonderfully energetic Rouget is a winner. I especially like how it marries fruit richness and vibrancy, one of the signatures of the best wines in this vintage. - Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media

The 2022 Château Rouget offers a big, exuberant nose of ripe red and black fruits, chocolaty oak, and violets. This carries to a medium to full-bodied Pomerol with a powerful, foursquare texture, ripe tannins, and outstanding length. This barrel sample gained elegance and purity with air, and my money is on it being an outstanding, pleasure-bent Pomerol. - Jeb Dunnuck

A lavish, ripe style of Pomerol, the 2022 Rouget bursts with aromas of cherry preserve, sweet berries and toasty new oak, followed by a medium to full-bodied, fleshy and supple palate that's rich and demonstrative. Readers who gravitate toward overtly jammy wines will appreciate it more than I did, but it is well made in its style. - William Kelley, Wine Advocate

Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2022 Rouget tumbles from the glass with ready-to-go notes of baked blackberries, preserved plums, and blueberry compote, giving way to wafts of aniseed and black olives. The full-bodied palate is concentrated, with blackberry preserves flavors and a firm, chewy texture, finishing on a lingering earthy note. - Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Independent