Vintage 2022

Letter of 23 June 2023.

Dry white 2022 : our favourites
 
Now that all the 2022 Bordeaux wines are known, we have compiled a list of those which, in our opinion, represent the best opportunities for this en primeur campaign, based on their quality and price positioning in relation to their peers.
 
Dry white Bordeaux
 
Among the 16 crus selected for 2022, Clos Floridène for its elegance and Doisy-Daëne sec for its aromatic breadth are, as ever, two first-prize winners. At the other end of the scale, Domaine de Chevalier, with the richness and fatness of the 2022 vintage offsetting its natural vivacity and energy.
 
Sweet white Bordeaux
 
We would have liked to mention Climens as an example for its comeback after a 5-year absence, but its new price positioning is holding us back. Of the 6 wines in our short 2022 selection, all are highly commendable, but we particularly salute the formidable performance of Suduiraut.
 

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Red 2022 : our favourites

In red, our 2022 selection includes 159 Bordeaux, which we have divided into 3 thirds of equivalent size:
 
Red Bordeaux from €9 to €36 per bottle (55 wines)
 
- Graves / Pessac-Léognan : Latour-Martillac, Carbonnieux
- Médoc / Moulis : Mauvesin-Barton, Potensac
- Margaux : La Gurgue organic, Baron de Brane
- Saint-Julien : Sarget de Gruaud organic, Le Petit Ducru de Ducru-Beaucaillou
- Pauillac : Lacoste-Borie
- Saint-Estèphe : Meyney, Cos Labory
 
- Rive droite / Libournais : Peyrou organic, La Dauphine organic, Les Cruzelles
- Pomerol : Fugue de Nénin
- Saint-Émilion : Côte de Baleau, Fombrauge
 
Red Bordeaux from €36 to €90 per bottle (52 wines)
 
- Graves / Pessac-Léognan : Haut-Bailly II, Pape-Clément
- Médoc / Moulis : Sociando-Mallet
- Margaux : Cantenac-Brown, Malescot Saint-Exupéry
- Saint-Julien : Gloria, Lagrange
- Pauillac : Réserve de Pichon-Comtesse, Duhart-Milon
- Saint-Estèphe : Haut-Marbuzet, Pagodes de Cos

- Pomerol : Mazeyres organic, Feytit-Clinet
- Saint-Émilion : Petit-Gravet Aîné organic, La Dominique
 
Red Bordeaux from €90 to €2940 per bottle (52 wines)
 
- Graves / Pessac-Léognan : Haut-Bailly, La Mission Haut-Brion
- Margaux : Pavillon Rouge, Palmer organic
- Saint-Julien : Gruaud-Larose organic, Léoville-Las Cases
- Pauillac : Pontet-Canet, Lynch-Bages
- Saint-Estèphe : Cos d'Estournel

- Pomerol : Gazin, Vieux Château Certan
- Saint-Émilion : Pavie-Macquin, Clos Fourtet (and Cheval-Blanc but now sold out)
 
This list, which reflects our tastings and our assessment of prices, is necessarily partial and deliberately limited. But 2022 is undoubtedly a great vintage, and a successful one in all the Gironde appellations and terroirs. So the choice could not be wider this year.
 
The most pertinent advice to guide your selection this year is that, above all, you should have confidence in the team in place at the Château because, however great the vintage, it is the work and talent of the people who make the difference.
 

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Letter of 17 June 2023.

Incomers and Leavers

In order to offer you the most relevant list of Bordeaux en primeur wines every year, our selections are not intangible and systematically renewed from year to year. On the contrary, they evolve according to the qualitative success and price of each wine in relation to its peers.

Even the fundamental base, composed of the greatest Bordeaux wines in the hands of the best teams, is subject to change, as a result of a sale, a change in commercial policy or new pricing ambitions.
 
For the 2022 vintage, we have 9 new or returning wines in our selections and 4 that are disappearing:

Incomers

- Rayne-Vigneau. 1er cru classé undergoing a complete overhaul since 2015 (end of the Crédit Agricole period and arrival of new owner Rémy Smith).
- Climens organic. As for Rayne-Vigneau: new owner (Mr Moitry) and new qualitative ambitions from the first vintage in 2022, with the aim of once again becoming the most desirable Sauternes after Yquem.
- Palmer organic. A wonderful superlative, an exceptional success hailed by all, a great Palmer was born in 2022. Price accordingly.
- Lafon-Rochet. Bought out in 2021 by Mr Lorenzetti (Issan, Pédesclaux, Lilian-Ladouys), Lafon-Rochet is entering a new era with Jean-Claude Berrouet (ex Petrus) as consultant. Given the work accomplished at Pédesclaux, we are very confident about the future of Lafon-Rochet.
- Phélan-Ségur. Convinced by the quality of its recent vintages, this great historic Saint-Estèphe, which we had not selected since 2006 (when Mr Gardinier left), returns to our columns with a 2022 that is remarkable in every way. Here too, the future looks bright.
 
- the return of 4 Right Bank crus, regularly selected but absent from last year's primeurs due to low production volumes (April frosts):
   - La Vieille Cure (Fronsac)
   - Louison et Léopoldine organic et Domaine de l'A (Côtes de Castillon)
   - Moulin Saint-Georges (Saint-Émilion).
 
Leavers

- Clos Haut-Peyraguey : Temporarily absent from our lists this year, due to a tiny harvest (less than 800 cases).
- Clémentin de Pape-Clément : We no longer offer the second wine of Pape-Clément as an en primeur, but it will appear in our catalogues after bottling.
- Les Grandes Murailles : This Saint-Émilion Grand Cru Classé has disappeared, the 2 hectares of its vineyard having been incorporated into those of Clos Fourtet (same owner) from 2022.
- Le Dôme (Maltus) : With a selling price of €249.60 a bottle, 41% up on last year, we feel that other choices are needed in Saint-Émilion (La Mondotte, L'If...).
 

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Letter of 10 June 2023.

2022 best ever ?

French and international critics alike are more than dithyrambic in their reports on Bordeaux 2022, to the point of putting this vintage ahead of all others (the 'best ever', so to speak).

Jean-Marc Quarin (french critic) opened the show by declaring on April 7: "It's factual and unique: 80% of the wines [Bordeaux 2022] that I taste are the best ever made".
 
Other french critics followed suit:
 
- La Revue du Vin de France "Primeurs of Bordeaux: what if 2022 was the greatest?"
or
- Michel Bettane "After 45 years of regularly following Bordeaux wines, I don't think I've ever seen such a great vintage".

There's no doubt that the weather in 2022 was absolutely exceptional, both in terms of figures (sunshine, temperature, drought) and chronology (4 identical months, from June to September inclusive).
 
It's just as certain that the producers of grands crus have never had the technical and financial resources they do today. What's more, the know-how needed to cultivate and vinify a very hot, dry vintage has never been as sophisticated or as fine-tuned as it is today. In this sense, 2022 owes a great deal to the 2003 heatwave, which enabled winemakers and oenologists to learn from their mistakes.
 
Without seeking to rank the vintages among themselves, we place 2022 at the top for its immediate appetence ('sex appeal' as Robert Parker used to say). The Bordeaux 2022s are extraordinarily intense, rich (in everything: coloring matter, dry extract, tannins, alcohol) and concentrated, but with a fatness and suavity that spontaneously procure a sensation of unrivalled fullness.
 
It's this hedonistic sensation that we haven't encountered in Bordeaux since the 1982 vintage, and which makes 2022 a benchmark vintage for Bordeaux.
 

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Petits crus in great vintages... or grands crus in small vintages.
It's a well-known maxim, and one that every wine-lover has experienced time and time again.

Given the exceptional overall quality of the 2022 vintage, we expected to discover wonders at every level of the Bordeaux hierarchy. But we didn't expect the success stories to be so numerous and so widespread, even in vineyards with lesser reputations.
 
It's true that in great vintages, when the weather sequences follow one another ideally, the advantage of a great terroir (better ripeness, better health) is less obvious.
 
Proof of this came in 2022, when low-quality plots (north-facing or in the shade of a forest, at the bottom of a slope or on clayey-marl soil with poor drainage, etc.) produced magnificent grapes that were included in the grand vin blend for the first time. Cheval Blanc, for example, will not produce its second wine (Le Petit Cheval) in 2022, as the entire harvest will be retained for the Grand Vin.
 
This smoothing out of terroirs is reflected in the critics' judgments, where the premier grands crus classés (with the exception of Cheval-Blanc) are not at the top of the list as usual, but in the company of other, less glamorous crus classés.
 
In 2022, second wines, crus bourgeois and crus from satellite appellations (Côtes wines, Moulis, Haut-Médoc, Fronsac, Lalande de Pomerol, etc.) very often enchanted us and sometimes even dazzled us with their depth of flesh and the softness of their tannins, even though they are very present.
 
If you want to fill your cellar with fleshy, generous and devilishly seductive Bordeaux, the 'petits' 2022s are for you! They won't break the bank, as their prices have remained largely stable, and you won't have to wait long for them, as they will delight you both young and old (as was the case with the 1982s).
 
We're not the only ones to have fallen under the spell of these "2022 premiers prix", as critics have also awarded them exceptionally high marks. Here's an anthology of the best scores obtained by the vintages in our selection, each more commendable than the last:
 
• on the Left Bank
- La Revue du Vin de France :
  - Haut-Marbuzet et Phélan-Ségur (95/100),
  - Siran (94,5/100),
  - Chasse-Spleen, Ormes de Pez, Pibran et Poujeaux (93,5/100)
- Bettane :
  - Haut-Marbuzet et Phélan-Ségur (95/100),
  - Les Griffons de Pichon-Baron, Marquis de Calon-Ségur et Sociando-Mallet (93,5/100)
- Quarin :
  - Larrivet Haut-Brion (95/100),
  - Clos Manou, Haut-Marbuzet, Les Griffons de Pichon-Baron et Sociando-Mallet (94/100)
- Galloni :
  - Siran (94/100),
  - La Croix Ducru-Beaucaillou, Larrivet Haut-Brion, Les Griffons de Pichon-Baron et Pagodes de Cos (93/100)
- Martin :
  - Phélan-Ségur (96/100),
  - Gloria (95/100),
  - Haut-Marbuzet, La Croix Ducru-Beaucaillou et Les Griffons de Pichon-Baron (94/100)
 
• on the Right Bank
- La Revue du Vin de France :
  - Moulin Saint-Georges (94/100),
  - Domaine de l'A, d'Aiguilhe et Mazeyres (93,5/100)
- Bettane :
  - Barde-Haut (94,5/100),
  - Haut-Carles (94/100),
  - Domaine de l'AAlcée et La Dauphine (93,5/100)
- Quarin :
  - Barde-Haut et Montlandrie (95/100),
  - Dalem et Moulin Saint-Georges (94/100),
  - La Mauriane, Les Cruzelles et Moulin Haut-Laroque (93/100)
- Galloni :
  - Barde-Haut et Clos Puy Arnaud (95/100),
  - Fombrauge et Poesia (94/100),
  - Domaine de l'A, La Petite Église, Les Cruzelles, Montlandrie et Virginie de Valandraud (93/100)
- Martin :
  - Barde-Haut et Poesia (94/100),
  - Alcée, Côte de Baleau, La Petite Église et Les Cruzelles (93/100)
 
Behind the great diversity of vintages in these two lists, we see both the universality of the greatness of the 2022 vintage across all Gironde appellations, and the talent of the teams who have made the most of it.
 

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Letter of 3 June 2023.

The Top of the Top

When you click on a wine, you'll see the score and an extract from the comments of the 6 critics (4 French, one English, one American) we regularly share with you, who have now delivered their verdict on Bordeaux 2022:
 
- La Revue du Vin de France (larvf.com)
- Michel Bettane (mybettanedesseauve.fr)
- Jacques Dupont (lepoint.fr/vin/)
- Jean-Marc Quarin (quarin.com)
- Antonio Galloni (vinous.com)
- Neal Martin (vinous.com)

By taking the podium of each, i.e. their 2 or 3 best scores covering about a dozen vintages, we have established the "Top of the Top" list (see the tab at the top of this page) or the best of the 2022 vintage.
 
Two wines are even unanimous this year, being simultaneously present on every critic's podium:
 
• Cheval Blanc on all 6 podiums. Unfortunately already sold out (we offered it 3 weeks ago).
 
• Léoville Las Cases on only 5 podiums, as Jacques Dupont did not taste (?) the 2022s from the Delon estates. It will be offered in June, at a price likely to match its performance...

There were no dry white wines at the top of the table, but a sweet white won out in the eyes of the tasters: Suduiraut.

 

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Dominio de Pingus

Peter Sisseck has just proposed his 3 Ribera del Duero 2022 wines: P.S.I., Flor de Pingus, Pingus.
 
In the heart of Spain (Valladolid), the weather in the summer of 2022 was, in a nutshell, similar to that in Bordeaux: three hot to very hot, dry to very dry months (a drought that began in 2021 and continues to this day).
 
Convinced that quality wines can only be made from quality grapes, Peter Sisseck made every effort throughout the growing phase to limit the risks inherent in pronounced water stress (blocked ripeness, too low acidity, too hard tannins) :
 
- by once again congratulating ourselves on having very old vines, from a minimum of 40 years old for PSI to 100 years old for Pingus, which, moreover, are biodynamically managed,
- by avoiding all practices, such as trimming, which encourage the vine to increase its leaf surface and thus its evapo-transpiration.
- harvesting as soon as phenolic maturity has been reached. The harvest for all our vineyards took place between September 7 and 19, 2022. By September 19, less than 10% of Ribera growers had begun harvesting...
 
Vinification was problem-free, thanks to Peter Sisseck's trademark gentle, natural method: very little extraction (only 1/3 of the usual pumping-over) and low-temperature fermentation (23°C).
 
In the end, his wines have, as in 2021, a fresh aromatic radiance, as floral (peony) as it is fruity (raspberry), a perfect precision of flavors (no softness) and velvety tannins that make them immediately delicious. All this with alcohol levels remarkably contained between 13.8° and 14.3°.
 
It's ironic that it's a Dane (Peter Sisseck) who, via the P.S.I. association, is teaching Spanish winegrowers how best to adapt to scorching, dry summers. Long live European viticulture!
 

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Letter of 27 May 2023.

Michel and Bastien Tardieu have just released all their 2022s. True to their tradition of producing only the very best vintages and abstaining when circumstances are not right, 2022 marks the return of their famous Cornas Vieilles Vignes (not produced in 2021) but also the absence of their Châteauneuf du Pape Vieilles Vignes rouge (not produced in 2022).

Rhône weather 2022. Like Bordeaux (and like everywhere else in France), the Rhône experienced an exceptionally hot summer in 2022, coupled with an unprecedented drought.
The amplitude of the heat and the intensity of the drought gradually had less and less impact as we moved northwards up the Rhône valley, with geographically contrasting situations, sometimes to the nearest km, due to the stormy nature of the rainfall.
Although the storms brought welcome water, they also gave rise to localised hail storms, resulting in significant crop losses, as in Vaucluse on 5, 23 and 24 June.

Northern Rhône 2022. The whites are rich and supported by fine, unsuspected acidity, with aromas of fresh fruit (raspberry) and not candied, giving no impression of coming from such a sunny vintage.
For the reds, 2022 is undoubtedly a remarkable vintage, with perfectly healthy, ripe small-grain Syrahs (low yields) producing fleshy, voluptuous, deep wines. Comparisons with the great 2020 vintage come to mind, with 2022 seeming at this stage to be more refined and 2020 more robust. Once again, the Northern Rhône has behaved in the same way as Burgundy (where a great 2022 vintage has also been announced).

Southern Rhône 2022. The results are more uneven in the south, depending on the water retention capacity of the subsoil, whether or not the storm came at the right time, the different grape varieties and, above all, the age of the vines.
As in Bordeaux, in the Rhône we found a perfect correlation between the age of the vines (i.e. the depth of rooting and the regularity of the plant's water supply) and the level of success (without prolonged water stress causing blockages in ripening).
For the record, at Tardieu-Laurent we only select Vieilles Vignes from vineyards that are at least 40 years old. The cuvées that do not have the Vieilles Vignes label have vines of canonical age: 50 years for Bandol, 60 years for Hermitage red, 70 years for Côtes du Rhône cuvée Spéciale, 100 years for Châteauneuf du Pape cuvée Spéciale...
In terms of grape varieties, only the Grenache and Mourvèdre were really at their best in the south in 2022, and not the Syrahs (maturity thwarted or even blocked) and Carignan (oxidised aromas).
Tardieu-Laurent has produced 2022 reds based on Grenache, emphasising the depth of flesh and avoiding overbearing tannins. In each appellation, these wines are seductive, smooth and juicy, with medium ageing potential. In this respect, his 2022s are reminiscent of his 2015s.

Provence 2022. Situated on the very edge of the Mediterranean, Bandol escaped the drought of 2022 with the nightly sea breeze bringing sufficient air humidity to refresh the mourvèdres. 2022 is a great vintage in Bandol (one more after 2021, 2020...) and therefore one for long ageing (the resemblance between the great mourvèdres and the cabernet-sauvignons as they age is striking).

Prices 2022. Despite the overall drop in quantity due to drought and local hail storms, winegrowers in the Rhône Valley remain as wise and pragmatic as ever, with price increases (2022 compared to 2021) of :

+  7.6% for white wines
+13.5% for red wines from the Northern Rhône
+  9.9% for red wines from the Southern Rhône + Bandol
 

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Letter of 20 May 2023.

Let's talk price!

The exceptional quality of the 2022 vintage, combined with falling yields (down by up to 30% on the Left Bank), plus the enthusiasm shown by critics at their tastings in Bordeaux in April, all set against a backdrop of rising inflation (across all sectors), led to fears of a widespread surge in Bordeaux prices.
 
3 weeks after the start of the 2022 Primeurs and with releases now covering all appellations (except Pomerol) and all hierarchical levels, we can see that this is not the case and that price rises remain reasonable.
 
Comparing prices in 2022 with those in 2020, the previous vintage of exceptional quality, and taking into account an inflation rate of +10.4% in the meantime (INSEE March 2021 to March 2023), the average price increase to date is +3.80% in constant euros over 2 years (+14.6% in current euros).
 
As this is an overall average, it does not reflect the contrasting realities of each vintage, with :
 
 the most reasonable crus (those whose price increase is less than inflation and which have therefore fallen in constant euros):
  -  1% : Larrivet Haut-Brion red, Duhart-Milon, La Vieille Cure
  -  2% : Clos Manou, Puyguéraud, Clos Puy Arnaud
  -  3% : Coutet, La Mauriane, Haut-Carles, Clos Louie
  -  4% : Léoville-Barton
  -  5% : Lousteauneuf, Petit Manou, Madame de Beaucaillou
  -  7% : Fombrauge
  -  9% : La Tour Carnet
  -10% : La Dominique
We have grouped together these 17 wines under the 2022 value-for-money tab, because their efforts this year deserve to be commended.
 
the most ambitious crus (those that have increased by more than 10% in constant euros in 2 years) :
  + 12% : Couhins dry white, Clos Saint-Julien
  + 13% : Poesia
  + 14% : Barde Haut
  + 16% : Doisy-Daëne, Haut-Bergey red
  + 23% : Larrivet Haut-Brion dry white
  + 24% : Carillon d'Angélus
  + 26% : Angélus
 
For the others, i.e. the middle of the pack with almost 2/3 of the sixty or so vintages on offer, prices are rising, but at a contained rate (between 1% and 10% over 2 years in constant euros) that can be described as wise and logical given the quality of the 2022 vintage and current economic circumstances.

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It ain't over till the fat lady sings.

The legitimate price of a 2022 can be determined by taking the price achieved by the 2020 vintage, increased by +10% to cover the inflation of the last 2 years and increased by +5% to +10% to reflect the increase in quality of the 2022s compared to the 2020s.
 
This en primeur campaign is still in its early stages (we can estimate that a quarter of the crus have put their 2022s on sale) and we can see that almost all the crus released have followed this reasoning (including Ch. Cheval Blanc).
 
The next few weeks will tell us whether these good pricing resolutions will be adopted by future vintages, including some of Bordeaux's greatest names, or whether, as price rises, a knock-on effect will take 2022 prices to 'exploratory' heights.
 
We'll be back in touch with you in a month's time to comment on these price changes.

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Letter of 13 May 2023.

Criticism is easy (especially in 2022)

The critics' notes on the 2022 vintage are starting to appear and, as expected, the comments are at the very least glowing, if not downright dithyrambic.
 
Even Jacques Dupont (Le Point), known for his outspokenness, wrote last April on the subject of Bordeaux 2022: "As usual, they were announcing great wines. Sometimes it was true, sometimes not. This is more than the truth: it's a remarkable vintage!".
 
On our website, alongside each wine, you'll find the opinions of 6 critics whom we consider to be among the most reliable and relevant in the field:

- Jacques Dupont, Le Point
- La Revue du Vin de France
- Jean-Marc Quarin (quarin.com)
- Antonio Galloni (vinous.com)
- Neal Martin (vinous.com)

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Antonio Galloni's favourites

This week, we received the verdict of American taster Antonio Galloni. He too succumbed to the charm of the Bordeaux 2022s "The 2022s are some of the most memorable young wines I have ever tasted in Bordeaux" and handed out an avalanche of fabulous scores (44 wines have a score above 95/100).
 
But he also gave us a list of 20 of his favourites, not necessarily among the greatest names in Bordeaux, but wines which, for him, "All of them have that extra je ne sais quoi that makes them special". Here they are (in alphabetical order):
 
Alter Ego. "The Grand Vin usually gets most of the attention at Palmer, but I found Alter Ago, especially charming this year". If the price is right, we'll offer it to you.
 
Beauséjour-Bécot. "An example of a wine that might be the best yet here". We'd like to bring it to you this year.
 
Brane-Cantenac. "A fabulous showing from Henri Lurton and his team". We agree 100%.
 
Clos Puy Arnaud. "Once again, Clos Puy Arnaud challenges wines from far more prestigious appellations. Superb". On sale this week.
 
Clos Saint-Julien. "A tiny jewel in Saint-Émilion and a memorable 2022". And an admirable owner: Mrs Catherine Papon-Nouvel.
 
Figeac. "Figeac has been knocking on the door of the most elite Bordeaux wines for some time. The 2022 is truly magnificent". We fear that the price will be too...
 
Forts de Latour. "Although it is not sold en primeur, Forts de Latour deserves a mention, as it is terrific". See you in 6-8 years.
 
Giscours. "Another very strong showing from one of Bordeaux’s up-and-coming stars". We can confirm that Giscours has been in top form since 2020, and will be very successful in 2022.
 
La Conseillante. "It all comes together for La Conseillante in 2022. Superb". Once again, thanks to its talented Cellar Master Marielle Cazaux.
 
La Gaffelière. "The 2022 might be the best La Gaffelière in modern times. Unforgettable". With Stéphane Derenoncourt as consultant, La Gaffelière has been making unforgettable wines since 2015.
 
Lafon-Rochet. "One of Bordeaux’s under-the-radar gems is fabulous in 2022". Bought out in 2021 by M. Lorenzetti (Pédesclaux, Issan, Lilian Ladouys), Lafon-Rochet will be making a comeback in 2022 at the forefront of the Bordeaux scene, and certainly in our selections.
 
Larcis Ducasse. "A wonderful showing from what might be the single most under-the-radar property in Bordeaux". With Stéphane Derenoncourt and Nicolas Thienpont as consultants, Larcis Ducasse has been shining for at least a decade.
 
Léoville-Las Cases. "An epic Las Cases. There’s nothing more to say". A Las Cases 2022 in the footsteps of his 1982.
 
Le Pin Beausoleil. "A stellar 2022 that won’t break the bank. I loved it". Le Pin Beausoleil is not offered en primeur, but regularly appears in our catalogues after bottling. See you in 2 years' time for its 2022.
 
Les Carmes Haut-Brion. "I look forward to tasting the 2022 next to the 2020 for many years to come. Tremendous". We can confirm the tremendous success of this cru in 2022, with its river (Le Peugue) running through the middle of which its new winery has been built. There's no better way to prevent water stress.
 
Malartic-Lagravière. "One of the best young vintages I can remember tasting". At a price that is sure to be among the most reasonable of the vintage.
 
Moulin Saint-Georges. "A gorgeous, affordable gem from the Vauthier family (Ausone, La Clotte...)". On sale this week.
 
Pichon-Longueville Comtesse de Lalande. "It’s all class and finesse in the 2022. A masterpiece". Each in their own style, the two Pichon (Comtesse and Baron) dazzled us in 2022.
 
Puyblanquet. "The sublime, delicate side of Saint-Émilion". This estate, acquired in 2020 by the Malet-Roquefort family (La Gaffelière), has not yet been selected by us but we are keeping a close eye on it...
 
Quinault-L'Enclos. "Maybe the best Quinault I have tasted". The same owners and technical teams as Cheval-Blanc, but Quinault-L'Enclos is not currently in our shortlist.
 

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Letter of 5 May 2023. general information

It is a great pleasure for us to present this new 2022 vintage which will be a highlight in the series of exceptional vintages. The conclusions of the Bordeaux Faculty of Oenology's report on the 2022 vintage are unequivocal: "Good dry white wines, remarkably deep sweet wines and outstanding red wines on both shores, concentrated but surprisingly harmonious".

However, 2022 will have given a lot of sweat, both literally for the winegrowers in the overheated vineyards during the summer and figuratively for the cellar masters in charge of the vinifications in the autumn. To sum up, 2022 is an unhoped-for vintage, born under extreme weather conditions and producing extremely good wines in the end.

First, we describe the genesis of the 2022 vintage and give you our first general considerations after 6 months of ageing.

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Bordeaux 2022: the weather in Gironde

The main feature of 2022 is a recurrent drought, which has been increasing throughout the year. Taking the first 10 months of the year (January to October) as the reference period:

• 2022 is the driest year since 2011,

• all the months are deficient in precipitation with the exception of June, the only month with a surplus (which, at the beginning of the summer, was a chance),

• over the 10 months, it rained 433 mm in Bordeaux, which is 40% less than the 30-year average (728 mm).

This drought was accompanied by historically warm weather throughout the summer, well above the thirty-year average:
May = +4.3°C, June = +3.0°C, July = +4.1°C, August =+4.7°C, September = +1.8°C.

The summer of 2022 (June+July+August) is the hottest ever observed in Bordeaux with an average of 30.1°C, ahead of 2003 (29.5°C), 2018 (28.3°C), 2015 (28.1°C), 2019 (28.0°C) and 2017 (27.2°C).

Fortunately, instead of being concentrated in a short period, the heat was fairly well distributed over the 4 months of the summer. In 2022, there were 20 days of heatwave (daytime temperature above 35°C): 4 days in June, 8 days in July, 7 days in August, 1 day in September.

Apart from the summer drought and heat, the other major meteorological phenomenon was the hailstorm of 20 June, which was unusually violent and unprecedented in its extent, affecting more than 10,000 hectares of vines:
- the north Médoc in Saint-Estèphe (Calon-Ségur, Phélan-Ségur, Meyney...) and Saint-Seurin de Cadourne (Sociando-Mallet...),
- the southern Médoc near Bordeaux (La Lagune, Agassac...),
- the Côtes de Blaye, the Côtes de Bourg and the Fronsac area in places.

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Bordeaux 2022 dry whites: tasty and expressive

The ideal conditions for quality dry white wines being a relatively cool summer with moderate sunshine, the winegrowers were very early aware of the risk of producing soft and heavy whites in 2022.

In order to preserve the acidity of the juices, limit the concentration of sugars and preserve crisp skins, the harvest of the whites was historically early: from 9 August (in the south of Gironde) for the Sauvignons and from 13 August for the Semillons.

The coolest and wettest terroirs (lower slopes, marl or clay subsoils), traditionally planted with white grape varieties, produced dry whites of unexpected quality, and in volumes that were finally acceptable, even if they were down (-10%) compared to last year.

The Sauvignons are more fruity (citrus, pineapple) than floral, with no varietal character (the famous cat pee nose) betraying under-ripeness. The Semillons are as always fat, full and intense, with apricot and white peach aromas.

The dry whites of 2022 are endowed with a high aromatic potential, very fruity, concentrated, fat, powerful and richly textured. They will not be long-keeping whites, but they will certainly be seductive, tasty and highly expressive during their first 8-10 years.

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Bordeaux 2022 sweet white wines: either adequate or exceptional

At the end of August, the grapes for the sweet white wines were perfectly healthy and ripe, ready to be botrytised, which was not possible due to the beautiful warm and sunny days of September. It was not until September 26th that the first rains appeared, followed by others intermittently until mid-October.

The regular humidity was favourable to the appearance and spread of botrytis, but prevented the concentration of the berries. Fearing that they would lose their entire crop if they waited too long (the economic difficulties of the Sauternes region are well known), a number of châteaux harvested grapes at the end of September that were simply raisined or at the beginning of October that were imperfectly botrytised, producing wines of moderate aromatic intensity with a semi-sweet body.

Those who took the risk of letting the rainy period of the first two weeks of October pass were rewarded from 20 to 29 October with 10 days without rain, warm (between 22°C and 27°C) and windy (eastern sector). This was the ideal window of opportunity, completing the botrytisation process and simultaneously ensuring a lightning concentration of sugars and aromas.

As an aside, it is no coincidence that it is the greatest growths, those backed by large groups (Yquem to LVMH, Rieussec to Lafite-Rothschild, Suduiraut to the insurer AXA, Lafaurie-Peyraguey to Lalique, Clos Haut-Peyraguey to Magrez, etc., etc.) where immediate economic profitability is less vital, that were able to take this gamble, which in the end was more than a success.

The teams of these properties hastened to carry out successive selections to harvest magnificent grapes, not very acidic but of exceptional purity and density. As for the yield, the 2022 harvest, from 7 hl/ha to 15 hl/ha depending on the growth, is considered relatively satisfactory, as the last vintages were not very productive.

On tasting, 2022 reminds us of the great vintages of the last century (1989, 1975, 1967...), with wines of incredible richness balanced by a formidably intense aromatic quality. One thing is certain, they will defy time and, if the cork lends itself to it, will survive this century. On the other hand, if you appreciate the more airy and delicate sweet wines, finely botrytised, we recommend that you turn to the previous vintages, such as 2020, 2016, 2014...

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Bordeaux 2022 reds: exceptional due to the weather...

With a summer marked by historic heat, the ripening of the grapes, including skins and seeds, was never a source of concern. Similarly, the historic drought ensured that the vines were always in perfect health.

As a result, each estate was able to choose the optimal harvest dates at its best convenience: from 5 to 16 September for the Merlots, and from 19 September to 7 October for the Cabernets, and to harvest grapes that were remarkable in every way, without stress.

While the châteaux feared a very low harvest due to the drought, the volumes produced were practically in line with a normal year on the right bank and down by around 30% on the left bank. With the exception of the châteaux affected by the hailstorm of 20 June (see above), which harvested barely half a crop (or even a tenth of a crop).

Many châteaux have, due to the great quality of the vintage, postponed their decrease in volume on the second wine in order to produce a usual quantity of great wine. Like Cheval Blanc, which has decided not to produce Petit Cheval in 2022, as the entire harvest is deemed suitable for the grand vin.

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Bordeaux 2022 reds: ... and glorious because of the humans.

Given the special weather conditions of 2022, winemakers expected to find the characteristics known from recent hot and dry vintages (2020, 2019, 2018...) but with a few surprises:

• expected: the berries are small, comparable to those of 2010 for the Merlot and 2020 for the Cabernet Sauvignon,

• unexpected: the ripening cycle of the berries was not accelerated by the high temperatures, the desired 120 days between mid-flowering (23 May) and the harvest was respected in 2022.

• expected: acidities are the lowest of the decade, for both Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon.

• unexpected: sugar levels are very high but not record-breaking. The 2022 Merlots are slightly less rich than in 2019, the 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon as rich as in 2020, 2019 or 2018.

As early as August, the technical teams knew that they were dealing with an unprecedented vintage, capable of the best and the worst. With the experience gained from the succession of hot and dry vintages since 2003, they knew the two main pitfalls to avoid:

• for vineyard managers: determine the right harvest date in order to pick grapes with fresh fruit aromas and, above all, avoid over-ripening, which is synonymous with wilted grapes and cooked aromas (prune, dried fig, mocha, gingerbread, etc.).

• for the cellar masters: as the grapes are exceptionally concentrated in anthocyanins, tannins and dry extract, practice gentle vinification (little punching down and pumping over), more infusion than extraction, so as not to harden the wines with massive and robust tannin loads.

Grands crus or 'small' châteaux, the tasting of the 2022 Bordeaux reds in the process of maturing is incredible. These wines have everything in abundance: colour, aromatic power, tannic density, length in the mouth. However, all these constituents come together magnificently in a suave and voluptuous harmony, which nothing comes in the way of despite the peak concentrations.

All the critics, French and foreign, who came to discover the 2022 in Bordeaux this April are as enthusiastic as we are and we are sure that the praise and the 100/100 will rain down on this future legendary vintage. Among the comments already published, we noted the one of April 7 by the french critic Mr. Quarin (quarin.com): "It's factual and unique: 80% of the wines [Bordeaux 2022] that I taste are the best ever made".

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Bordeaux 2022 reds: which vintage to compare them to?

Throughout our tastings, we had the impression that the 2022s gave us the same sensations as the 1982 vintage. It seems to us that no other vintage has succeeded so well in this magical combination of power and smoothness, concentration and softness.

The very low acidity of these two vintages is one of the reasons for this resemblance, even if the knowledge, know-how and equipment have nothing in common 40 years later. However, the density and the (over-)power of the 2022s allow us to be confident about their longevity. In concrete terms, as with the 1982s, the 2022 Bordeaux will always be good: young, old and even older.

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Bordeaux 2022 reds: what are the best wines?

Left or right bank?

The climatic circumstances being homogeneous throughout the Gironde, the two banks are on an equal footing, which is reflected in the results of our tastings. More than the appellation, it was the terroir and its capacity to regulate the water supply that made the difference. Thus, it was preferable to have the vines on a limestone, clayey-limestone or clayey-gravelly subsoil than on a sandy and draining one, as in the peripheral ring of Pomerol or in some places in the north and south of the Médoc.

Merlot or Cabernet?

All the grape varieties were equally successful, whether it was the Cabernet Sauvignon of the Médoc and Graves or the Merlot and Cabernet Franc of the Libourne region. On the other hand, the age of the vines had a strong influence on the quality of the grapes: in 2022, it was essential to have old vines, at least 20 years old, well rooted and able to draw water from deep underground (in Gironde, the water table is never far away). These vines benefited from the vintage while the young vines, with poorly developed root systems, suffered.

Small châteaux or grands crus?

In 2022, there were many successes at all levels. The profile of the 2022 vintage has narrowed the quality gap between terroirs and crus, with vineyards that are usually low quality because they are cooler or wetter having produced surprising wines. So, small chateaux or grands crus, choose this year at your best convenience, this advice also being valid for the second wines of the greatest crus.

2021 versus 2022?

Never have two consecutive vintages been as diametrically opposed as 2021 and 2022:
- 2021 synonymous with freshness, vivacity and elegance,
- 2022 synonymous with maturity, sweetness and opulence.

As these two vintages are simultaneously offered en primeur until the end of July, you can arbitrate your choices between 2021 and 2022 of such different styles (and prices?).

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Bordeaux 2022 reds: prices

As the marketing of the 2022s has not yet started, the price of the wines has not yet been determined. Only the trend is known, and it will be upwards for many reasons:

• notes and comments as feverish as ever, placing 2022 above previous vintages,

• moderate quantities produced on the right bank (40 hl/ha) and even low quantities on the left bank (30 hl/ha),

• ambient inflationary pressures (labour, energy, dry materials, etc.).

The extent of the price increases, certainly disparate from one vintage to another and proportional to international demand, should place 2022 a notch above 2018 and 2020. The next few weeks will tell us how high the notch is...

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