A sun-drenched 2022 vintage, producing concentrated and elegant wines
With shorter winters and challenging summers, the consequences of global warming have been shaking up the cycle of the seasons for several years now, a phenomenon to which the 2022 vintage in Bordeaux is no exception. Hit by extreme conditions, the year 2022 has given rise to unexpected, even extraordinarily high-quality wines. And yet, both the vines and the Bordeaux winemaking teams had to face an array of climatic challenges: frosts, scorching heat and hail - a combination of intense weather conditions hit the Bordeaux wine region as a whole. The odds of a fine vintage were slim, and yet, upon tasting the samples in barrel, the wines boasted a superb balance, allying a surprising finesse, concentration, structure and freshness.
The outcome was a real miracle, considering the sunny and extreme conditions throughout this winemaking year. Beyond the exceptional quality of the red wines, 2022 is already regarded as a historic vintage because it marks a decisive step in the history of Bordeaux wines. Twenty years ago, this vintage would not have known the success it has today. In fact, it is the very modernization of the wine-making practices implemented by the talented teams within the Bordeaux properties that have allowed them to reach such a high level of quality. The year 2022 thus highlights how the resilience, dedication and hard work shown by the teams throughout the year has truly pay off when faced with unprecedented weather conditions caused by global warming. The relief felt at harvest time, however, served as a reminder that the tipping point had only just been avoided ; the outcome of the 2022 vintage could have taken a turn.
Extreme weather conditions tempered by terroir effect
While the growth stage was well advanced thanks to a particularly mild end of winter, the infamous spring frosts finally made their appearance. The first nights of April were particularly destructive and impacted the Bordeaux vineyards to a greater or lesser extent depending on the sector. But if the weather conditions are constantly blowing hot and cold, it is indeed the high temperatures that will mostly characterize the 2022 vintage. With its three heatwaves from June to August, the summer of 2022 reached the highest temperatures recorded since 2003.
This record temperature began very early in May, then gave way to a hot and unstable month of June. Numerous thunderstorms brought eagerly anticipated rainfall, which salvaged the vines, but also very violent hailstorms, localised in the Médoc, Blaye and Fronsac. With temperatures reaching 41°C, the sweltering summer heat made life difficult for the Bordeaux vines, which were then short of water. True forces of nature, the vines growth cycle was slower, in order to limit their need for water, showing an incredible capacity to adapt. The clay soils and subsoils have allowed sufficient water reserves to be built up to relieve the vines, thus limiting water stress.
Light showers from July to September brought modest but beneficial amounts of water, allowing the grapes to ripen. The significant diurnal temperature variations and the drop in water temperatures in the Gironde estuary finally brought a welcome coolness at the end of the scorching summer. The terroir effect has been perhaps the most decisive element in the identity of the 2022 Bordeaux wines.
Boundless know-how and masterful techniques giving rise to a fine vintage
In addition to the invaluable terroir effect, the dedicated work carried out by the teams plays a major role in the success of this extreme 2022 vintage. The vineyard as well as in the cellar, the estates are now much better prepared to face and even do wonderfully well with sun-drenched vintages. The visionary teams within each estates have made it a priority to work their soils in order to reduce the effect of extreme heat, by performing cover cropping to reduce soil erosion. To mitigate the risks of under and over-ripening, the use of innovative tools and a plot-by-plot approach have enabled the teams to harvest fine grapes that boast an optimal quality. The techniques carried out in the vines are truly reflected in the cellar: grape selection, gentle extraction and infusion, low-temperature fermentation etc. The 2022 vintage is the result of a colossal amount of work. This unique year marks a turning point in the history of Bordeaux, symbolizing the ability of both nature and the estates’ teams to adapt to extreme conditions.
The 2022 Bordeaux Wine Futures: red wines with an outstanding profile
The harvested grapes are extremely small and poor in juice, impacting on one hand the yields of the properties – but on the other, enhancing the quality of the wines. Gourmet and aromatic, the nose of the 2022 vintage expresses an enticing finesse, which could be surprising for such a solar vintage. The palate is velvety and dense, enhanced by an outstanding tannic structure. It is difficult to find a similar vintage to 2022 but it has the body of a 2009 combined with the soul of a 2016 with which it shares exceptional and filigree tannins.
The 2022 Wine Futures of Bordeaux's Left Bank
A powerful 2022 vintage in Margaux
In Margaux, the wines are more powerful and dense than usual. Boasting rich and diverse terroirs, this appellation reveals a plethora of profiles following this vintage, but always exuding an enfolding finesse, for which the area is renowned.
Pauillac shines in the 2022 vintage
Pauillac is an appellation that can show some reticence following solar vintages, yet in 2022 most of the wines are true to the typical aromatic profile of the appellation: powerful, concentrated, with a voluptuous tannic structure and a promising ageing potential. The fullness of the palate, the velvety texture and the finesse of the tannins lead us to an undeniable conclusion: 2022 is a fine vintage for Pauillac.
Saint-Julien wines: low yields but great quality
Although yields were low, the quality of the 2022 Saint-Julien vintage is very high. With a striking elegance, the wines express a gourmet opulence along with a harmonious and poignant freshness.
The wines of Saint-Estèphe bring out the best of this sunny vintage
Despite an episode of hail in the north during the month of June, Saint-Estèphe is, according to wine specialists, the most consistent appellation in the Médoc based on its quality. The large proportion of clay deposits and clay subsoils enabled the Saint-Estèphe vineyards to get through the heat waves without damage. The ripeness was exceptional for this appellation which succeeds superbly in solar vintages.
Pessac-Léognan: wines with varied profiles in 2022
With its wide variety of terroirs, Pessac-Léognan produced very different styles of wine in 2022, some of which stand out for their surprising aromatic freshness and balance. In the other Médoc appellations, such as Haut-Médoc, Moulis-en-Médoc or Listrac, some lesser-known estates have successfully produced high-quality wines.
The 2022 Wine Futures of Bordeaux’s Right Bank
Saint-Émilion produces a vintage for the history books
With 678 properties to its credit and an exceptional diversity of terroirs, Saint-Émilion offers extremely varied styles. It is therefore difficult to draw up a general portrait, but it is reasonable to think that this is the Bordeaux appellation that benefited the most from the character of the vintage. Much less affected than the rest of the Bordeaux region, Saint-Émilion reshuffled the cards in 2022: while the future of Merlot is being questioned in the context of global warming, the famous appellation has managed to produce fine, fresh and well-balanced wines.
Pomerol: a great success for the 2022 vintage
Despite low yields, Pomerol reveals exquisite, dense wines. The appellation’s clay soils have been able to extract the best from this sun-drenched vintage thanks to the soil’s ability to retain water ; giving rise to extremely concentrated and powerful wines. Indeed, this is an excellent 2022 vintage for Pomerol.
Bordeaux 2022 white Wine Futures
The aromatic profiles of the 2022 Bordeaux white wines are gourmet, intense and delicate, already providing a pleasant tasting experience in their youth.
Sauternes and Barsac: a fine 2022 vintage that deserves a place in your cellar!
This vintage has put a smile on the faces of Sauternes and Barsac producers. Despite an episode of frost at the beginning of April, the 2022 vintage has finally gathered all the characteristics of a fine vintage, leading to high-quality and plentiful harvests for the creation of Bordeaux sweet wines. The very clayey soils of these appellations allowed the vines to resist the drought, leading to the production of rich and aromatic wines. All in all, this is a fine vintage for Sauternes.
Wine Futures - Arrival in 2025
