Château Hannetot - Pessac-Léognan Red 2022
In Léognan, Château Hannetot is a family-owned estate of a manageable size located in the heart of the Pessac-Léognan appellation. Its vineyard is planted on soils mixing gravel, clay, and limestone components, a diversity that promotes both fruit ripeness and the maintenance of good freshness. Taken over by the Beaumartin family in the mid-2000s, the estate follows a precise and parcel-based approach, adapted to the confidential scale of the property. The reds are built around traditional Bordeaux grape varieties, with an important place given to Merlot and the Cabernets. The 2022 vintage, very hot and dry in Bordeaux, produced particularly concentrated grapes, with high ripeness and often very refined tannins when the balances were well controlled. In Pessac-Léognan, the gravel terroirs and the soil's water reserves played an essential role in preserving freshness. Hannetot 2022 thus fits into a generous and deep style, with ripe fruit supported by a clear structure.
The blend of the vintage is based on the estate's traditional red grape varieties, dominated by Merlot and complemented by the Cabernets. Merlot brings a broad, fleshy, and immediately expressive body, marked by blackberry, plum, and black cherry. Cabernet Sauvignon strengthens the structure, freshness, and length, while Cabernet Franc adds a more floral and spicy dimension. The vinifications are carefully conducted to accompany the natural richness of the vintage without hardening the tannins. Aging in wood progressively refines the matter and brings nuances of cedar, cocoa, and spices that still need to integrate over time. The 2022 currently has a young and dense expression, with a tannic frame more present than in 2019. A few years in the cellar will allow the wine to gain harmony and develop more complexity.
The color shows a deep garnet with still very young purple reflections. The nose opens on blackberry, blackcurrant, and black cherry, accompanied by licorice, violet, and soft spices. With aeration, notes of cocoa, cedar, graphite, and a slight smoky dimension characteristic of Graves reds gradually appear. The palate is broad and generous, with dense matter supported by ripe but still structuring tannins. The black fruit maintains a beautiful intensity, while the freshness sustains length and avoids any heaviness despite the sunny ripeness of the vintage. The finish extends on blackcurrant, spices, cocoa, and a smoky touch. Château Hannetot 2022 will accompany a grilled rib steak, a rack of lamb, duck breast, roasted veal with porcini mushrooms, or cuisine featuring wild mushrooms.
Grape varieties: Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc
