Domaine Simon Blanchard - Au Champ De La Fenêtre 2022

Jeff Leve, The Wine Cellar Insider

Jeb Dunnuck

The 2022 Domaine Simon Blanchard Au Champ De La Fenêtre is also all Merlot yet comes from a hillside of clay and limestone soils. It brings another level of quality and is medium-bodied and concentrated, with a brilliant nose of exotic red and blue fruits, sappy roses, spring flowers, and underbrush. I love its overall balance, it has terrific mid-palate depth, and a great finish. This cuvée spent 19 months in close to 50% new French oak, with the balance in once and twice-used oak.

Decanter Magazine

Smells super ripe and potent, fresh and ripe but also spiced blackcurrant, perfumed floral flecks and juiciness. Damsons, plums and cherries. The fine tannins are so sleek, a touch of appealing austerity, but the fleshy fruit gives weight and bounce. Tannic for sure, they're serious with heft and muscle but this keeps focus and direction with coolness overall and sense of freshness throughout. A touch of subtle wood spice on the finish. Nice styling, feels round and filling with balance to all the elements. 30% whole bunch fermentation. Harvest 12 September. Ageing 19 months, 47% new barrel, 37% one wine, 16% two wine. Derenoncourt consultants.

James Suckling

A hint of hazelnuts and lavender to the dark cherries. Hint of peppercorn as well. Really juicy and bright with medium to full body and a long and brambly finish. Some mulberries at the end. Excellent drinkability and freshness. 100% merlot. 15% whole-cluster fermentation. Drink or hold.

Vinous