Bordeaux | 2022 vintage
Is 2022 the finest Bordeaux vintage of the 21st century? Opinions may vary, but few would dispute the exceptional standard of the region’s red wines, which reached extraordinary levels of quality. While the sweet wines showed more variation, many examples are nothing short of outstanding. The dry whites, though less dazzling than the reds, still display admirable finesse and balance.
The 2022 growing season benefited from a unique sequence of weather patterns. After a dry, cool autumn, winter proved relatively mild, with heavy rain in December followed by bright, sunny days. There were initial concerns that early warmth might cause premature budburst, but the cooler, mixed conditions of March delayed vine growth to its usual schedule—safely beyond the risk of frost damage.
From May through to September, Bordeaux basked in exceptional sunshine, frequently surpassing long-term averages. These months were characterised by both heat and drought, with temperatures often three degrees higher than normal and multiple heatwaves sweeping the region. Fortunately, the rains in June replenished soil moisture reserves, helping vines withstand the drier summer that followed.
Flowering and ripening progressed rapidly, making 2022 one of Bordeaux’s earliest harvests in more than a decade. Despite the heat, some timely showers in August relieved water stress, allowing grapes to ripen evenly under ideal conditions. Harvesting began around 16 August for dry whites and sparkling wines and extended into late October for sweet wines.
Grape health at harvest was exemplary. The prolonged period of fine weather gave growers the flexibility to choose the perfect harvest date for each parcel. Merlot, typically picked in early September, and Cabernet Sauvignon, gathered later in the month, both showed high sugar content and deeply colored anthocyanins. Acidity levels were initially low - among the lowest in ten years - but rose during fermentation, resulting in beautifully balanced wines.
The 2022 vintage stands out as one of the most remarkable in recent memory, especially for reds. Thanks to lessons learned from earlier hot, dry years, Bordeaux producers adapted brilliantly - using techniques like leaf thinning, careful tillage, and agroforestry to protect vine health. Across both Right and Left Banks, the red wines are rich and sensual, combining power with freshness, and displaying vivid fruit, supple texture, and impressive aromatic depth.
White varieties faced more challenges from the heat, yet those grown on cooler or clay-based soils have yielded wines with attractive aromatic concentration and good structure. For the sweet wines, the onset of noble rot (botrytis) was delayed by September’s dryness, leading some estates to harvest early when grapes began to raisin. However, those who waited until mid-October were rewarded with luscious, botrytised berries - producing intensely aromatic wines, rich and opulent, though lower in acidity.
2022 Bordeaux will be remembered as a vintage of exceptional quality, particularly for red wines that combine ripeness, elegance, and vibrancy. It showcases how far the region’s viticulture has evolved - turning climatic challenges into opportunities for brilliance.
