BORDEAUX 2022 The Decanter verdict

Extreme drought and heat led to historically early harvests, yet many vignerons have excelled with harmonious, fresh wines that live up to the hype. Healthy vines and viticultural improvements have delivered a modern vintage that showcases the best of the region’s power, elegance and richness

- GEORGIE HINDLE

Unprecedented hot and dry conditions in 2022 led to small yields, and consequently highly concentrated wines with big tannin potential. Some vines suffered in the drought but many grapes adapted early on and, with careful and sensitive work in the vineyards, vines were able to stay active and green until harvest, with small but healthy berries. Picking dates were crucial, as was gentle extraction, while strategies for vinifications and preserving acidity varied. Where successful, the best examples show surprising freshness and supreme charm, with a large number of wines that are both immensely appealing and approachable but will also age.

With any new Bordeaux vintage there is the inevitable hype – it’s the most scrutinised wine region in the world, with more than 7,000 people coming to the region this April to taste, rate and give their opinions on the new wines. The year presented never-seen-before climatic conditions, with ‘earliest ever’ harvests, irrigation permitted in places for the first time and nail-biting decisions throughout the year regarding vineyard management, cover crop usage, de-leafing strategies, picking dates, maceration lengths (and temperatures), and ultimately the preparation of primeur samples – many consisting of the wine’s final blend, but not all.

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