Château Anthonic Moulis-en-Médoc '22

Château Anthonic's vineyards all lie over a single stretch of the Moulis-en-Medoc, marked by microclimates - humid air collecting at the base of a network of natural ditches that trace the property, nestled up alongside a hardwood forest and dotted with small copses. The stewardship of this land, in the ethos of the father-son winemaking team Jean-Baptiste and Théophile Cordonnier, is every bit as important as what winds up in a bottle.

So Château Anthonic has developed into one of the predominant agroforestry projects in Bordeaux. Hedgerows line the ditch network, creating natural corridors for wildlife between the outcroppings of trees. Natural predators take care of any pest issues - the vineyards run with snakes, newts, and burrowing owls.

Even situated on the left bank, the soil here is over 2/3rds clay limestone, and for the '22 vintage, this showed in a blend led by 76% Merlot, filled with Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot. The grapes are all blended prior to aging in an equally varied set of vessels, with various ages of oak, concrete, and amphorae, all to favor the variability of a vintage over developing a "house style."

The '22 sees a spiced and earthy core, with crushed rocks and white truffle grown beneath raspberry and blackberry bushes. The tannins are still youthful, but kept in check with a tart acidity.