Bordeaux 2022 Vintage Report
Climatic conditions
In a nutshell 2022 was a complicated vintage, yet one that has, surprisingly, the potential for greatness. To begin, winter was cool, yet remarkably dry, with lower-than-average rainfall throughout both January and February. It was the significant rainfall that came in December 2021, which created the much-needed reserve table for the coming months, and ultimately saved the vintage.
Moving into Spring bud-break occurred early (as it increasingly does), and so many appellations and producers did not suffer damage from the early frosts throughout the nights of 3rd, 4th, and 5th April. There were of course some producers whose vineyards were damaged, but this was limited and highly localised to the appellations of Castillon (-7°C), Lalande-de-Pomerol (-5.3°C), and Sauternes (-5°C).
Flowering occurred in May (around 10 days earlier than normal) without any major causes for concern. However, the plummeting low temperatures of April, were countered by historic high temperatures in May. The hottest on record for twenty-five years and such a swing, was an early sign of the erratic climatic shifts that lay ahead. June followed along with two intense downpours providing a welcome respite from May’s heat spikes, providing the water didn’t evaporate before the vines could absorb it, or it was lost as run off due to the arid soils.
July and August were extremely hot and dry; there were three heatwaves (peaks of 40°C), and less than 10mm of rain from the beginning of July until the end of August. This resulted in there being little to no disease pressure, however hydric stress was evident, and many vines simply shut down as a natural form of protection (indeed younger vines with shorter root systems suffered most). Nevertheless, relatively cool nights, retained much needed freshness and acidity. As we all know there were devastating forest fires too throughout the summer; yet thankfully they didn’t reach any vineyards, and the threat of smoke taint has so far not been detected in the wines.
Unsurprisingly harvest came early (the earliest on record by 15-20 days) starting with Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon for dry whites, which were picked mid-August and focused on aromatic retention, whilst balancing sugar and alcohol levels. The harvest for reds also commenced at the end of August with Cheval Blanc leading the way with Merlot; whilst other estates waited throughout September and into October for all four main varietals picking at optimal ripeness levels yet monitoring freshness, tannin, and alcohol levels.
In Sauternes-Barsac, more or less perfect conditions took place in September allowing for generous Botrytis development, which permitted four to five tries (passes) through the vineyards right up until the end of October, to pick bunches with excellent concentration.
Style of the vintage
2022 is a surprising vintage where wines have wonderful concentration and intensity yet are balanced by impressive vibrancy. It is very difficult to compare it to any other vintage, though we asked many winemakers, oenologists, and Châteaux with considerably more years of experience than us; some did draw comparisons to 2010, 1990, as well as 1949. However, the addition of modern technology has helped immeasurably in such a challenging vintage; to produce wines that are fresh, pure, and elegant with good tension.
Vintage conclusion
Despite initial concerns about the difficult growing season and the challenges winemakers faced, we think that the 2022 is surprisingly and possibly, one of the top five vintages in the last forty years where some excellent wines have been produced. Yields are again lower than usual so allocations may be reduced (average yields are 28-32 h/l per hectare on the Left Bank, and 35+ h/l per hectare on the Right Bank), and as always we have price to consider.
Overall, the 2022 vintage is one that we feel has great promise and was apparent from the early days of tasting at the UGC week. However, it was not a deckchair vintage and so it was imperative for us to taste the wines, sometimes on multiple occasions, and where possible visit the Châteaux, so the samples were as fresh as possible. We feel that if you know where to look (and we will of course advise you), there are some great wines that deserve a place in your cellar. As such, although we tasted around 500 wines, we have only written our tasting notes on the wines we truly believe in, and would recommend buying.
As always, the UGC En Primeur week is an intense, yet highly rewarding week where we were certainly put through our paces! Whilst writing up our tasting notes, we have made the tough decision of choosing our top 10 wines of the vintage (not including the First Growths) as well as our Star Value Buys and Rising Stars, in no particular order.
Please click here to view our Bordeaux 2022 En Primeur tasting notes. We include our top recommended wines with scores where released, and estimation on price.
Top 10 wines (not including First Growths)
Château Vieux Chateau Certan, Pomerol
Château Troplong-Mondot, St Émilion Grand Cru Classé
Château Croix de Labrie, St Émilion Grand Cru Classé
Château Figeac, St Émilion Grand Cru Classé A
Château Canon, St Émilion Grand Cru Classé
Château Pichon Longueville Baron, Pauillac
Château La Mission Haut Brion, Pessac-Léognan
Star Value Buys
La Chenade, Lalande-de-Pomerol
Château Haut-Bages Liberal, Pauillac
Château Branaire-Ducru, St Julien
Château Les Ormes de Pez, St Estèphe
Château Langoa Barton, St Julien
Rising Stars
Château de Ferrand, St Émilion Grand Cru Classé
Château Phélan Ségur, St Estèphe
Château Corbin, St Émilion Grand Cru Classé
Château Berliquet, St Émilion Grand Cru Classé
Château La Gaffelière, St Émilion Grand Cru Classé
Château Pey Mouton, St Émilion Grand Cru Classé
Château Laroque, St Émilion Grand Cru Classé
There are other wines that we are interested in, however, it is very much dependent on the price.
Do check in with our Bordeaux 2022 Release Diary online where you can view all releases as and when they happen, read our views, and get to grips with market sentiment. We will be sending out regular En Primeur emails throughout the campaign, should you wish to be included in this distribution, please email wine@bcfw.co.uk and we will add you to our mailing list. If you have received this review by email, you are already signed up.
We have also categorised recommended buys (subject to release price) in an estimated price range (see below) to assist you with your potential purchases.
Recommended wines under £350 (per 12x75cl)
Château Gloria, St Julien
Château Haut-Bages Liberal, Pauillac
Château Meyney, St Estèphe
Château Labégorce, Margaux
Château du Tertre, Margaux
Château Tronquoy, St Estèphe
Château Les Ormes de Pez, St Estèphe
Château Petit Cantenac, St Émilion Grand Cru
Château Laroque, St Émilion Grand Cru Classé
Château Montlandrie, Côtes de Castillon
Recommended wines £350-£650 (per 12x75cl)
Roc de Cambes, Côtes de Bourg
Château Rouget, Pomerol
Château Phélan Ségur, St Estèphe
Château Langoa Barton, St Julien
Domaine de Chevalier, Pessac-Léognan
Château Branaire-Ducru, St Julien
Château Batailley, Pauillac
Château Talbot, St Julien
Château d’Issan, Margaux
Château Corbin, St Émilion Grand Cru Classé
Recommended wines £650-£1000 (per 12x75cl)
Château Léoville Barton, St Julien
Château Rauzan-Ségla, Margaux
Château Troplong-Mondot, St Émilion Grand Cru Classé
Château Feytit-Clinet, Pomerol
Château Clinet, Pomerol
Château Pavie Macquin, St Émilion Grand Cru Classé B
Château La Gaffelière, St Émilion Grand Cru Classé
Château Grand Puy Lacoste, Pauillac
Château Léoville-Poyferré, St Julien
Château Pontet-Canet, Pauillac
Please click here to view our Bordeaux 2022 En Primeur tasting notes. We include our top recommended wines with scores where released, and estimation on price.
Furthermore, prominent wine critics have also been busy writing their reports on the vintage, and some have started to release their scores. To read more, please follow the individual links below:
William Kelley (Wine Advocate): No Smoke Without Fire
James Suckling: Astonishing 2022 Sets A New Benchmark
For all the latest releases from the Bordeaux 2022 En Primeur campaign, please view our Release Diary.