2022 Château Hosanna, Pomerol

Black chocolate and espresso on first hit, this is measured, enjoyable, slowly and carefully builds in drama through the palate, highly charged but with balance and a kick of slate. The body of the wine centres around cassis, bilberry, rosemary, turmeric, an edge of exoticism with a welcome shot of freshness. A muscular wine, fully capable to supporting the intensity of the vintage. Harvest September 5 to 19, 4.5ha.

The 2022 Château Hosanna comes from iron-rich, blue clay soils and is 74% Merlot and 26% Cabernet Franc that was harvest between the 5th and 19th of September. It has a perfumed, lifted, floral bouquet of blue fruits, candied violets, orange blossom, and spice. This carries to a full-bodied, rich, concentrated, firm Hosanna with plenty of tannins, good mid-palate depth, and outstanding length. I don't see this matching the truly great vintages from this château, but it's clearly an impressive Pomerol.

Offering up aromas of blackberries, minty blackcurrants, licorice and spices, the 2022 Hosanna is full-bodied, deep and concentrated, with a broad, velvety attack that segues into a layered, fleshy mid-palate of ripe but lively fruit that's framed by polished tannins. This is always one of the more extravagant wines in the Mouiex portfolio, but in 2022 its exuberance remains in check.

Wow. This is an incredibly structured Hosanna with tannin tension and density, yet resilience and verve. Full and dense while being weightless and bright at the end. Thought-provoking contrasts. Old vine magic. One for the cellar. 74% merlot and 26% cabernet franc.

The 2022 Hosanna is a heady, bombastic wine, as if often is, especially in warmer years. Black fruit, bittersweet chocolate, leather, spice, menthol and tobacco all race out of the glass. There's a good bit of tannin, which makes me think patience will be critical here.