Chateau du Retout, Haut-Medoc Cru, Bourgeois Superieur, France, 2022

Overview of the Wine
The Phylloxera crisis at the end of the 19th century destroyed most of the French vineyards. Shortly after, the First World War, as well as the splitting up of properties due to inheritance laws, often led to the abandonment of winegrowing in general and even to the disappearance of some of the smaller wine estates.

This was the case with Château Retou-Rosset in Lamarque and Château Salva de Camino in Cussac Fort Médoc, both of which were classified “crus bourgeois”, as well as another estate, the “petit cru” Château Moulina. It was only in the 1950s, after their acquisition by the Kopp family, that these estates were brought back to life.

After a great deal of time and effort, the vineyards were gradually rebuilt. Today, this estate is still run by the Kopp family; daughter and son-in-law.
 
Winemaker
Eric Boissenot

Grape / Blend
67% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Merlot, 10% Petit Verdot

Origin
Bordeaux, France

Winemaker's Tasting Notes
The Médoc grape varieties and soils give us wines with superb, dense, dark hues, ranging from deep garnet to ruby-crimson, taking on brick red shades with orange tints with age. Very intense and expressive aromas with powerful notes of black fruit such as blackcurrants and blackberries. In older wines, the nose develops a spicy bouquet of liquorice, leather and marshmallow mingled with the vanilla scents created by well-integrated oak. Harmonious, elegant and velvety, with smooth, round tannins, that can be appreciated from the wine's entry to the palate through to the finish. These are delightfully full-bodied wines with great aromatic persistence.

92 Points - Wine Spectator
#45 of Top 100, 2024. Shows the ripeness of the vintage, with dark currant and blackberry notes framed by singed cedar and vanilla. Ends with a tug of warm earth, a light twang of iron and a steady grip. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot. Drink now through 2034. 9,600 cases made, 1,990 cases imported.

92 Points - Vinous
The 2022 Château du Retout has a bright nose with redcurrant, raspberry and blood orange aromas. Underlying graphite notes emerge with time and impart more classicism. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins that lend this Haut-Médoc a sensual satin-like texture. Very composed, this sashays along with style. This classy offering should ultimately land at the top of my banded score.

91 Points - Wine Advocate
A blend of 67% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Merlot and 10% Petit Verdot, the 2022 du Retout reveals an elegantly reduced, vibrant bouquet of dark berries, cassis, spices and bay leaf. Medium to full-bodied, enrobing and charming, it's supple and round for a Médoc with delicate, velvety tannins and a long, fruity finish. It should age gracefully over the next decade.

91 Points - James Suckling
Olives, paprika and spiced currants throughout with firm but dissolved tannins that turn caressing and polished in a linear, medium-length finish. Fine-grained and not chewy. Drink from 2025.

Product size: 750ml