Bordeaux 2022 Vintage: Everything you need to know

The wine world is full of chatter about the 2022 vintage in Bordeaux, which is just starting to show up in the United States. Here’s everything you need to know about it.

 

Bordeaux 2022: What’s all the fuss?

Well, simply put, 2022 is a great Bordeaux vintage. In most people’s estimation, it ranks together with 2005 as one of the greatest vintages so far this century.

In some ways, though, it’s even better than 2005. In 2005, it was still the “Parker” era. That is, Chateaux made wine in a style that was designed to please the influential wine critic Robert Parker. This tended to mean lots of ripe fruit and new oak. 

Since 2005, things have changed dramatically. Wine making has generally improved. And the style has moved away from Parker towards a more balanced, classic style. In 2022, we get a truly great vintage that is benefiting from both trends.

What made 2022 such a great vintage?

As always, it comes down to the weather. In simple terms, 2022 was hot and dry, with harvest beginning in early September—one of the earliest on record.

But heat alone doesn’t guarantee quality. Hot vintages can often lead to flabby, overripe wines. In 2022, while a few wines show those traits, the majority stand out for their remarkable freshness and balance.

Why? First, despite the heat, nights remained cool—crucial for preserving acidity and vibrancy. Second, the heat arrived early in the season, giving the vines time to adapt. And the timing was ideal: sugar levels peaked just as the grapes reached perfect phenolic ripeness—that’s when the seeds, skins, and stems mature fully.

Most importantly, Bordeaux producers have learned to handle warmer conditions. Improved vineyard practices—like smarter leaf-thinning, better cover crop management, and more selective sorting—have helped craft wines that thrive even in hotter years.

 

What are the wines like?

As with any vintage, there’s a range of styles, but overall, 2022 Bordeaux wines are defined by power, balance, and freshness—that’s what makes them truly great!

In terms of structure, fruit takes center stage, followed by supple tannins, with acidity playing a supporting role. The tannins are fully ripe, with none of the greenness found in vintages like 2017. While the acidity is generally lower than in cooler years, there’s enough to keep the wines feeling lively and fresh.

As is often true in warmer vintages, these wines are impressively approachable in their youth, thanks to their bold fruit character. However, unlike some other warm years, the 2022s possess the balance and structure needed for excellent long-term aging.

 

Are there any stand-out AOCs villages?

While 2022 was consistently excellent across nearly every AOC and village, certain areas stood out—particularly those with cooler microclimates, which tend to shine in warmer vintages. Among the famous villages, Saint-Estèphe—the coolest, being the furthest north and closest to the Atlantic—produced some truly remarkable wines. Further north, the Haut-Médoc offers incredible value, with many wines delivering satisfying depth and balance at more accessible prices.

Grape variety and terroir also played key roles. Limestone soils, known for preserving freshness, gave an advantage to limestone-rich AOCs like Saint-Émilion and Castillon. Warmer conditions also favored Cabernet Sauvignon, which naturally ripens more slowly than Merlot. As a result, classic Left Bank appellations such as Pessac-Léognan, Pauillac, and Saint-Julien performed exceptionally well.

That said, this isn’t a vintage where you need to obsess over Left Bank versus Right Bank. In 2022, outstanding wines were made across Bordeaux—no matter where you look.

 

Are there any AOCs or villages to stay away from?

Some commentators have pointed to two potential trouble spots in 2022. Pomerol faced intense heat and dryness, with limited shade making conditions especially challenging. It was the only AOC granted special permission to irrigate late in the season. That said, from what I’ve tasted, many 2022 Pomerols are truly outstanding—some of my personal favorites from the vintage.

Margaux is another village occasionally mentioned, having received particularly low rainfall. While the wines I tasted were generally excellent, some showed slightly drier tannins and the faintest hint of herbaceousness—though nothing that detracts from their overall quality.

But should you stay away from either village—or any village—in 2022? Absolutely not. Across the board, this vintage offers impressive wines from every corner of Bordeaux.

 

How will the wines age?

As with any vintage, only time will tell. That said, it’s hard to imagine the 2022s not aging beautifully—they have all the right ingredients for longevity: abundant fruit, solid structure, and ripe tannins.

Some commentators have raised concerns about the lower acidity levels potentially limiting aging potential. However, consider how well California Cabernets from the 1970s and 1980s—also known for lower acidity—have aged, often surpassing their Bordeaux counterparts from the same era.

Given the balance, power, and freshness of the 2022s, there’s every reason to believe these wines will stand the test of time.

 

So should I buy 2022 Futures?

You’re too late for futures! The 2022 futures campaign happened in 2023, and now the actual wines are just beginning to hit the market.

But don’t worry—you didn’t miss out. The Bordelais knew they had a great vintage on their hands and priced the futures accordingly—very high. Sales were sluggish as a result. The upside? You can now buy the released wines at prices that are no higher than they were during the futures campaign. Plus, with the Euro’s recent decline, there are some excellent buying opportunities available right now.

Careful, though, as there is still uncertainty about wine tariffs. Current stocks are tariff-free, but who knows what the future will bring?

 

So what’s the bottom line on 2022 Bordeaux?

Bordeaux has been in relative decline for decades. Once the undisputed king of the wine world, it was eventually overshadowed by Burgundy’s rise. But 2022 feels like a once-in-a-generation vintage—one that could reignite Bordeaux’s standing among a new generation of collectors and enthusiasts.

If you’re a longtime Bordeaux collector, this is a vintage you won’t want to miss. And if you’ve been focusing on Burgundy but are feeling the sting of skyrocketing prices, 2022 offers a great opportunity to shift some of your buying focus.

Prices won’t be cheap, but Bordeaux’s scale works in your favor. The region’s large estates—much bigger than typical Burgundy domaines—help keep prices in check (aside from a few cult Pomerols). Plus, Bordeaux reserves its highest prices for only the top-tier wines. You’ll find plenty of excellent 2022s for under $100 a bottle, and quite a few for under $50.

Beyond collecting, this vintage also offers plenty of early-drinking gems. Keep an eye out for more affordable options—second wines, Petits Châteaux, or bottles from satellite appellations like Lalande-de-Pomerol or Castillon. With a bit of decanting, these wines will be ready to enjoy right away.