2022 Château Séraphine, Pomerol, Bordeaux

95% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc. Cask sample.A little shy on the nose but has dark and red fruit as it opens. Plush fruit and well-integrated tannins provide a refined texture. Some persistence but nothing overblown. Should improve.Drink 2027 - 2035james_lawther MW, JancisRobinson.com (May 2023)

The 2022 Séraphine, the 6th vintage under proprietor Martin Krajewski, was picked from 1 to 23 September at 30hL/ha (for the older vines pruned single Guyot), matured in 50% new oak, and one 1,000-liter clay amphora.This leans toward black fruit on the nose, blackberry and bilberry, and touches of incense and terracotta. Nicely defined and quite understated at first. Maybe it needs just a touch more vigour, but that should develop.The palate is medium-bodied with svelte tannins, harmonious, and nicely detailed with just the right spiciness. Quite vivid toward the finish, gentle grip with a dash of white pepper on the aftertaste. 4,000 bottles were produced.Drink 2029 - 2045Neil Martin, Vinous.com.com (April 2023)

Really perfumed and scented; violets, roses and iris floral aromas with sweet cherries and chalky strawberries. Fresh but concentrated, still elegant and representative of Pomerol, lush and round but with sharp acidity, bright and lively mouthwatering freshness and bite before the tannic impression comes forward, slowing growing and expanding in the mouth. There’s a sense of precision, but there’s also weight, density, and concentration with touches of oak, mocha, espresso, dark chocolate, and toast. Grip, tension and density should soften over ageing. Lovely promise. Ageing 12-14 months in 300l barrels, 50% new oak (the largest quantity used on this wine) and a small amount in 7hl amphora. The first vintage to have Cabernet Franc in the blend at 5%. Harvest started on 1 September.Drink 2029 - 2045Georgina Hindle, Decanter.com (April 2023)

There has been extensive replanting across the Séraphine vineyard as it constructs an exceptionally impressive new estate, but this leaves it vulnerable to the heat of the year. It successfully steers through many complications, delivering inky depths and a velvety texture to the fruit, but it contracts through the mid-palate as the black fruit and spice notes close in. Attractive curls of woodsmoke, old books, tobacco, and cigar box on the finish have charm and pleasure and show careful extraction. The 6th vintage under Martin Krajewski, with daughter Charlotte winemaker. This year, around 50% first wine, the first time to have Cabernet Franc in the blend. Aged in 300l barrels, 30hl/h yield, harvested entirely within September. 40% new oak.Drink 2026 - 2042jane_anson_mw, janeanson_com (May 2023)