AMA Tasting Report
Bordeaux 2022 In Bottle

It’s been a while—I’ve truly missed you all. 😁

From November last year through early 2025, I embarked on a marathon of Bordeaux 2022 vintage in-bottle tasting. To date, I have tasted over 1,500 wines, once again breaking my personal record. Despite nearly doubling the number of samples compared to the 2021 vintage, I haven’t felt the slightest fatigue—simply because these wines are just that good!

In past in-bottle tastings, I would often come across wines that felt like completely different personalities compared to their En Primeur counterparts. However, the 2022 vintage has proven remarkably consistent—solid as a rock. The vast majority of wines have met, if not exceeded, the expectations set during the En Primeur tastings. Some estates have even reached the pinnacle of their history!

In my En Primeur report, I stated: “The 2022 vintage is an unexpected legend, a once-in-a-lifetime masterpiece on par with 2010, 2005, and even 1961!” Now, after verifying through in-bottle tastings, I am even more convinced: 2022 vintage is a phoenix rising from the ashes—a legendary vintage! The fiercer the fire, the purer the essence it tempers. With age, its brilliance will outshine even the iconic 1982 vintage!

However, given the relatively low yields and exceptionally high En Primeur release prices, one key question remains: Will the 2022 vintage bring the kind of returns that 1982 did? On this, I remain cautiously observant.

In my previous video, “The 5+1 Conditions for a Great Vintage,” I analyzed the weather patterns of 2022 in detail, frequently mentioning the extreme heat and drought. Typically, such extreme conditions pose significant challenges: at best, they slow down grape growth; at worst, they can cause sunburnt fruit.

So, how did the 2022 vintage manage to overcome the challenges?

The key lies in the early onset and prolonged duration of drought, which persisted from flowering all the way through harvest.

Unlike the sudden and extreme drought of the 2003 vintage, the vines of 2022 adapted early in the growing season by slowing down their metabolism and entering a drought-resistant defensive state. When the scorching summer arrived, most vines—except for young seedlings and those with shallow roots—remained remarkably stable. Not only that, but they seemed to have endured the alchemical furnace of Taishang Laojun, emerging with an indestructible golden body! Tannin levels, sugar concentration, and flavor compounds all soared off the charts, staging a spectacular comeback.

From a traditional perspective, the 2022 vintage does not fit the mold of classic Bordeaux elegance. Instead, it commands the stage like a powerful force of hardcore rock—bold, intense, and electrifying. While its style may be unconventional, its greatness is indisputable.

After careful deliberation, I ultimately awarded it a five-star overall rating, making 2022 the first vintage to ever receive my FULL score.

Red Wines:
Born Winners of the 2022 Vintage

In 2022 vintage, red wines emerged as the natural victors. To sum it up in four key traits: remarkable concentration, pure aromatics, stable acidity, and impeccable texture—all while being ready to drink right now.

The smaller berry size resulted in an astonishing amount of tannins, while the exceptional ripeness of polyphenols lent the wines an exquisite finesse. This powerful synergy gave the 2022 reds an unparalleled concentration and intensity. What’s truly remarkable, however, is that despite their immense depth, these wines remain incredibly smooth. As long as extraction was handled well, the wines flow seamlessly from start to finish, without a single jarring note. I would describe this sensation as “an embrace from a charismatic CEO”—blazing hot, commanding, yet inexplicably reassuring.

Beyond their exceptional structure, the 2022 reds also exhibit an impressive precision in aromatic expression. During my tastings, I was constantly surrounded by a whirlwind of floral and fruity aromas, each layer vividly distinct. If this trajectory continues, these wines may evolve even more beautifully with age.

During the En Primeur tastings, I noted that the 2022 vintage possessed an astonishing acidity, defying the usual balance issues associated with hot vintages. In my view, this acidity stems from the natural concentration of small berries. To illustrate, think of blueberries—fresh ones may not taste particularly tart, but once dried, their acidity becomes significantly more pronounced. Now that the wines have been bottled, the acidity has integrated even more harmoniously with the rich body. Except for a few cases where the grapes were harvested too late, virtually no top estates suffered from insufficient acidity. This lively acidity is the key to unlocking the full potential of the 2022 vintage—it not only enhances the dimensionality of the palate but also ensures a seamless, effortless tasting experience.

Given the exceptionally rich nature of the vintage, I initially expected these wines to be distant and aloof in their youth—the kind of cool beauty that keeps admirers at arm’s length. Yet, surprisingly, the 2022 reds are already displaying a welcoming openness. With just a little decanting, they can be enjoyed straight from the bottle.

Finally, I believe one particular point deserves special mention. The high concentration of the 2022 vintage might feel somewhat at odds with the stylistic direction of estates that typically pursue an ultra-refined, ethereal aesthetic. Imagine Chang’e, the moon goddess, draped in flowing silks, only to reveal the sculpted muscles of a champion athlete—not a flaw in quality, but certainly an unexpected contrast in style. Of course, this is merely my personal feeling.

White Wines:
Depth and Layers Make the Difference

To be frank, the 2022 vintage of white wines does not quite reach the level I expect from top-tier Bordeaux whites. In my view, Sauvignon Blanc struggles to develop multi-layered aromas in hot vintages, while Sémillon, with its naturally moderate acidity, tends to feel a bit too rich under high temperatures. Many wines lack the energy and tension I usually look for.

This vintage sees fewer citrus and floral notes, replaced instead by ripe stone fruits, tropical fruits, and even hints of propolis, beeswax, and snow fungus dessert. Aromas of yellow peach, melon, guava, and dried pineapple are nearly ubiquitous across the wines.

To achieve greater complexity on the palate, the key lies in introducing savory notes or a touch of refined bitterness.

Overall, 100% Sauvignon Blanc wines have outperformed those with a high proportion of Sémillon. Standouts of the vintage include Château Couhins, Château Smith Haut Lafitte, and Château Fonréaud’s Le Cygne, which undoubtedly take center stage.

Noble Rot Wines:
An Iconic Vintage

During the En Primeur tastings, I already sensed that the 2022 vintage of noble rot wines was truly exceptional—but I never expected their quality to reach even greater heights after bottling.

This vintage stands out not only for its remarkably pure botrytis but also for its intoxicatingly rich fruit expression. Aromas of pineapple, mango, mandarin, and melon are incredibly pure and precise, beautifully complemented by the noble rot’s signature cinnamon, Sichuan pepper, curry, and saffron-like spice.

Before bottling, the extremely high residual sugar can sometimes overshadow fruit aromas, giving an impression of heaviness. But now, as the wine has fully integrated, all flavor components have seamlessly come together, allowing the underlying acidity to shine through.

In my view, a truly top-tier noble rot vintage must possess four key attributes: high-purity botrytis, high sugar concentration, multi-dimensional fruit aromas, and a well-structured acidity. The 2022 vintage excels in every aspect, making it an iconic year for noble rot wines.

That said, most producers opted for acidification adjustments this year. However, estates that managed to retain exceptionally high acidity without intervention are truly worth keeping an eye on—and collecting. Among them, Château Doisy Daëne, Château Rieussec, Château Suduiraut, and Château Guiraud deserve special recognition. Most notably, Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey, whose residual sugar reached an astonishing 240g/L. Upon tasting, it bursts forth with golden radiance, leaving a dazzling impression.

This concludes my comprehensive assessment of the Bordeaux 2022 vintage—a thorough guide for consumers looking to understand this year’s wines. But for those in the wine trade or serious collectors of top estates, don’t worry—I’ve prepared an in-depth, expert-level analysis covering all the key appellations on both the Left and Right Banks.

This year, let’s start with the Left Bank!

Overview of Key Sub-Regions

Left Bank

Médoc

The overall performance of Médoc in 2022 can be summed up as “steady with unexpected surprises.” As long as producers avoided the “three demons”—grape desiccation, over-extraction, and excessively late harvests—crafting a balanced and enjoyable wine was not a difficult task.

What truly caught my attention this year were the late-ripening vineyards in the northern part of Médoc. Typically, achieving full phenolic ripeness in this region has been a persistent challenge. However, the exceptionally hot and dry conditions of 2022 significantly slowed vine growth, allowing the grapes to develop the long-coveted flavor complexity. While these wines may not boast a muscular structure or an expansive body, they exhibit a crisp, refreshing profile—a rarity in hot vintages—making them remarkably vibrant and easy to drink.

During the harvest season, I visited numerous estates across the region. Aside from a few areas near Saint-Seurin-de-Cadourne that were hit by hail, most vineyards remained lush and healthy, with an ideal balance of grape quantity and quality. Estates such as Château Potensac, Château La Tour de By, and Clos Manou have shown exceptional potential this year and are capable of competing with classified estates.

That said, one crucial detail demands attention. Southern Médoc suffered severe hailstorms this year, affecting a broad stretch from Ludon, Macau, and Taillan to Blanquefort on the northern outskirts of Bordeaux. Large vineyard areas were impacted, and importers should exercise extra caution when selecting wines from this region—careful evaluation is essential!

Saint-Estèphe

Saint-Estèphe and Pauillac emerged as the biggest winners on the Left Bank this year, though their paths to success were quite different.

Saint-Estèphe’s clay-rich soils proved to be tailor-made for extreme heat and drought, effectively mitigating water stress while enabling the vines to absorb high-purity, high-concentration flavor compounds. The Cabernet Sauvignon tannins here can best be described as densely structured—not particularly herbal, yet still exuding a refreshing vibrancy.

This year, the brightest star in Saint-Estèphe is undoubtedly Château Montrose. With a wealth of old vines and the prized Terrasse 4 gravel plateau, it unfolds like a flower nourished by fire—untamed in spirit, charged with energy, yet carrying an air of quiet humility. Without exaggeration, this is the finest Château Montrose I have ever tasted.

Another estate that rose to prominence this year is Château Lafon-Rochet, thanks to its higher proportion of underground clay. With a top-tier vineyard team and exceptional winemaking expertise, it seamlessly combines Pauillac’s grandeur with the bold character of Saint-Estèphe. As I took my first sip, for reasons I cannot quite explain, Wagner’s Ride of the Valkyries suddenly played in my mind—a vision of heavily armored cavalry charging in from the distance, sweeping across the battlefield with unstoppable force.

Pauillac

Compared to Saint-Estèphe, Pauillac felt the impact of drought even more acutely. Young vines and certain Merlot parcels faced considerable stress, with grape desiccation occurring frequently. Faced with these challenges, the top estates responded decisively, employing stricter grape selection and increasing the proportion of Cabernet Sauvignon in their blends.

The result? This year, the three First Growths showcased staggering Cabernet Sauvignon dominance—Lafite at 94%, Mouton at 92%, and Latour at 92.45%.

While overall yields in Pauillac were modest, quality remained firmly at the top tier. “Super Seconds” estates like Pichon Baron, Pichon Comtesse, and Pontet-Canet all delivered solid performances.

For those who appreciate a classic, old-money style, Château Batailley is a must-watch, exuding the fabled “cold fireplace” character. On the other hand, if you lean toward a more unconventional style, Château Pibran, Château Pédesclaux, and Château Haut-Bages Libéral are absolute hidden gems this year—offering exceptional personality at unbeatable value.

Château Clerc Milon deserves special mention. During the harvest, I predicted that the 2022 vintage would be its “defining moment.” Now, it’s clear that I was right. Thanks to its unique terroir, it crafted a wine with 37% Merlot, resulting in a silky, refreshing, and utterly captivating expression, completely devoid of any signs of heat stress. Highly recommended.

Margaux

The in-bottle performance of the Margaux appellation in 2022 has fallen somewhat short of my expectations. To me, grace and finesse are imprinted in Margaux’s DNA. However, this vintage carries an overwhelming abundance of tannins, though they are masterfully polished to a silky smoothness, the moment they hit the palate, their raw power evokes the image of a ‘muscular Barbie.’

That said, several estates delivered outstanding performances, each in their own way.

Château Durfort-Vivens stood out with its vibrant burst of fresh fruit aromas and crisp, lively character, embodying an elegant freshness rarely seen in a hot vintage.

Château Giscours offered a remarkable clarity, like a refreshing summer breeze that instantly invigorates the senses.

Château Kirwan, benefiting from its clay-rich soils, delivered one of its finest vintages ever, a true top-score performance.

Château Cantenac Brown reminded us what seamless precision and an effortlessly graceful touch look like.

Meanwhile, Château Prieuré-Lichine continued to express its deep, understated interpretation of Margaux, remaining as composed as ever.

Two estates, however, moved me the most: Château Brane-Cantenac and Château Palmer.

Château Brane-Cantenac encapsulates the purest essence of Médoc in every detail, leaving me at a complete loss for words during the tasting. Absolutely breathtaking.

Château Palmer, on the other hand, completely overturned my En Primeur impression with its awe-inspiring performance. When alcohol levels run high, winemakers often need to extract more polyphenols to achieve dimensional “big balance.” While this can sometimes lead to a slightly chaotic structure in youth, once aging is complete, all elements have miraculously fused into perfect harmony. The level of mastery here is nothing short of impressive.

 Saint-Julien

Saint-Julien truly took me by surprise this year! This early-ripening terroir, despite facing relentless heat and extreme weather, remained composed and unfazed. The over-ripeness I feared never materialized, and instead, every estate excelled in its own unique way, showcasing its signature strengths with remarkable clarity.

Faced with such a brilliant constellation of stars, I found myself hesitating, unable to choose just one standout estate. Rather than picking a favorite, I’ll let my admiration flow freely across all of Saint-Julien.

Pessac-Léognan

The 2022 vintage in Pessac-Léognan was a thrill ride from start to finish—no other appellation had me on edge quite like this one.

Let’s rewind and relive the drama. June brought a hailstorm, hitting western Léognan particularly hard and leaving considerable damage in its wake. Then, in the height of summer, a massive wildfire broke out in the Lande forest to the south. I was genuinely anxious, fearing that smoke taint would make its way into the vineyards. Because of these risks, I made Pessac-Léognan a top priority during harvest, visiting more than 20 estates to assess the situation firsthand.

But when I finally saw the quality of the grapes, I was completely blown away.

Except for some vineyards on sandy soils, there were hardly any signs of grape shriveling. The fruit set was not only ideal, but the overall grape condition was also outstanding. To prevent sunburn, nearly all estates reduced leaf thinning, with some, like Smith Haut Lafitte, forgoing it entirely.

What ultimately allowed Pessac-Léognan to rise above the rest in 2022 was two well-timed rainfalls in August. While Médoc remained dry, struggling through a relentless drought, Pessac-Léognan caught a lucky break. On August 18 and August 30, 22mm and 13mm of rain fell over the region. The vines, which had been wilting under stress, sprang back to life, soaking up every last drop of relief.

True greatness doesn’t come from ideal conditions—it comes from overcoming the odds. After both En Primeur and in-bottle tastings, I can say with absolute confidence: 2022 is a defining vintage for Pessac-Léognan.

The Cabernet Sauvignon is pure to the point of perfection, b, and the wines are full-bodied, powerful, and immaculately polished. The real shocker? Acidity levels are off the charts. Take Château Latour-Martillac, for example—their acidity hit a staggering 5.17. Unbelievable.

This vintage stands out for the sheer number of estates that deserve recognition. Several estates reached their peak, including Château Haut-Bailly, Château Les Carmes Haut-Brion, Domaine de Chevalier, and Château Smith Haut Lafitte—each of them producing wines of remarkable depth and precision.

Château Malartic-Lagravière, Château Larrivet Haut-Brion, Château La Louvière, Château Olivier, Château Carbonnieux, and Château La Garde—though affordably priced—have each put on an impressive show in their own right.

Now that we’ve covered the Left Bank, it’s time to look at the Right Bank.

Right Bank

Castillon, Franc, and Fronsac

This year, I’d like to give special recognition to three standout appellations: Castillon, Franc, and Fronsac. These regions share several defining characteristics: a high proportion of limestone-clay soils, elevated vineyards, and a naturally late-ripening profile. In many ways, they seem to have been handpicked by fate as the perfect match for the 2022 vintage.

Let’s break it down:

• Limestone-clay soils act as a natural water reservoir. In a drought year like 2022, they became nothing short of a lifeline for the vines.
• Higher altitudes provided greater diurnal temperature variation, while the stronger winds at higher elevations gave the vines much-needed relief from the scorching heat.
• Late-ripening terroirs helped slow down vine metabolism, enhancing flavor complexity while preserving vibrant acidity.

This vintage couldn’t have been better tailored for these three appellations!

There are simply too many great value wines to recommend this year. If you’re looking for an excellent everyday drinking wine, you’ll definitely want to explore the following estates.

Castillon：

• Domaine de l’A
• Château Alcée
• Château d’Aiguilhe
• Château Montlandrie
• Château Monbadon
• Château La Brande
• Château de Clotte
• Clos Louie
• Clos Puy Arnaud
• Château La Clarière
• Château Beynat (Cuvée Léonard)
• Château Clarisse (Cuvée Allegria)
• Château de Laussac (Cuvée Sacha)
• Château Roquevieille (Cuvée Excellence)

Fronsac：

• Château Les Trois Croix
• Château de La Dauphine
• Château Dalem
• Château La Vieille Cure
• Château Moulin Haut Laroque
• Château Carlmagnus
• Château de La Huste
• Château Villars
• Château La Rousselle
• Château Tessendey
• Clos du Roy

Francs Côtes de Bordeaux：

• Château La Prade
• Château de Francs

Lalande-de-Pomerol

If you understand the crucial role of limestone soils in water retention, then one conclusion becomes clear: in 2022, Lalande-de-Pomerol— with its higher proportion of sandy soils—faced a much tougher challenge.

Let’s break it down:

1. Shallow root systems – When drought strikes, vines struggle to find water in sandy soils. In a last-ditch survival attempt, they begin extracting moisture from their own berries, causing shriveling—or in severe cases, growth stagnation.
2. Difficulty achieving full polyphenolic ripeness – Prolonged water stress hinders phenolic development, leading to flavors that feel as thin as tap water and tannins that are coarse and unrefined.
3. The hidden risks of shriveled grapes – If dessicated berries are not meticulously sorted before fermentation, they can compromise the purity and balance of the final wine, resulting in a less harmonious texture.

Based on in-bottle tastings, Lalande-de-Pomerol’s overall performance was rather unremarkable in 2022. The few exceptions came from estates with gravelly clay soils, such as Château Les Cruzelles and Château Tournefeuille, which managed to withstand the pressure and produce respectable wines. Unfortunately, many other estates struggled to deliver compelling results.

Pomerol

Pomerol is renowned for its early-ripening terroir, but in an exceptionally dry vintage like 2022, challenges were unavoidable. Not only did estates with sandy soils struggle under the intense drought, but even those with gravelly clay experienced severe water stress. Simply put, Pomerol faced greater difficulty producing truly great wines than any other Right Bank appellation.

Based on my observations and tastings, quality varied significantly this year, with terroir playing a decisive role. Ensuring complete phenolic ripeness while keeping alcohol in check and maintaining acidity has become a crucial criterion for top-tier Pomero in 2022.  Success hinged on slowing vine growth and optimizing water distribution throughout the season.

Meeting the following conditions is a sure path to quality：

• A high proportion of old vines
• Meticulous canopy management to regulate water intake
• Gentle, low-temperature extraction with reduced maceration times

Let’s break it down—there’s a lot to unpack here, so I highly recommend paying close attention!

First, deep-rooted old vines are naturally more resistant to drought, and if they grow over a clay-rich subsoil, they become virtually unstoppable. Such vines tend to produce smaller berries with more concentrated flavors while avoiding leaf scorch and berry shriveling.

In 2022, Pomerol’s best fruit came almost exclusively from old vines. Take Vieux Château Certan (VCC), for example—its 80-year-old vines performed so spectacularly that they put even top male supermodels to shame, with their lean structure, long legs, and finely sculpted muscles.

Next, regulating water intake is crucial in drought conditions. The principle? Train tough, survive strong.” At Château La Conseillante, winemaker Marielle Cazaux shared how they proactively took measures long before the drought became critical. As early as June, she launched what she called a “lightening campaign.” Instead of leaving three to four shoots per vine, she pruned them back to two or three—essentially reducing the number of drinkers at the well from four monks to two. This dramatically eased water competition.

As summer temperatures soared, she went one step further: reducing or completely eliminating leaf-thinning (effeuillage) in some parcels. This allowed large, leafy canopies to act as natural umbrellas, shielding the fruit from direct sun exposure and minimizing water loss.

At last, her team did something I hadn’t seen anywhere else: they removed all secondary grape clusters from the far ends of the shoots. These younger clusters consume more water and ripen inconsistently, so cutting them off redirected resources to the primary fruit. The impact was immediate—during harvest, I hardly saw a single vine in La Conseillante’s vineyard suffering from defoliation, and the fruit quality was nothing short of outstanding.

With elevated sugar, concentration, and tannin levels across the board in 2022, most estates opted for shorter maceration times and reduced pump-overs or punch-downs to avoid excessive tannin extraction under high alcohol conditions.

Many estates even prepared cold storage rooms (chambre à froid) to chill the grapes before fermentation, allowing for a gentle cold soak. This technique preserved fresh, delicate aromatics—especially floral violet notes—while enhancing complexity and softening tannin extraction. Judging by the results, this method proved highly effective in 2022, and I believe more estates will adopt it in the future.

Beyond these observations, I came across an unexpected new finding. While visiting Château Lécuyer, Château La Pointe, and Château Bonalgue, I noticed something unexpected—some vineyards planted on sandy soils had lush, vibrant green leaves. Naturally, old vines played a role in their resilience, but their exceptional condition still caught me off guard.

Upon closer examination, I discovered that proximity to water sources had a far greater impact than I had ever imagined—and the conclusion completely contradicts conventional wisdom.

Typically, we assume that vineyards near water sources suffer less from drought. However, in the extreme dryness of 2022, many once-reliable streams and channels completely dried up. Vines that had grown accustomed to easy water access never had to develop deep root systems, as their shallow roots were always sufficient. But when those water sources disappeared, these vines had nowhere to draw from, leaving them vulnerable and defenseless against the drought.

In contrast, vineyards farther from water sources had been forced to adapt over time. Their vines had already developed deep root systems in search of moisture, and when combined with the natural resilience of old vines, they easily withstood the harsh conditions of 2022.

Saint-Émilion

Finally, let’s turn our focus to my personal favorite Right Bank appellation of the year—Saint-Émilion.

From a qualitative standpoint, 2022 is the best vintage since 2016, reaching new historic heights in aromatic complexity, structure, and depth of flavor. What makes this vintage even more thrilling is that Saint-Émilion’s wines managed to retain excellent acidity, making them remarkably well-balanced across the board.

However, here’s an important note: 2022 is not a vintage where you can blindly trust entry-level estates in Saint-Émilion, unlike in Pauillac or Saint-Julien.

Why? Because of the dried grapes. The 2022 vintage didn’t just test the water-holding capacity of clay-limestone soils—it also placed extreme demands on vine age. Even top terroirs weren’t entirely immune to berry shriveling.

The classified estates had the resources for meticulous sorting, but for entry-level châteaux, this level of precision was simply unaffordable. If too many shriveled berries ended up in the fermentation tanks, the consequence was tannin from hell—an overwhelming bitterness that no amount of winemaking finesse could fully resolve.

In short, the estates that sorted out dried grapes most effectively were the real winners. Châteaux that employed density sorting machines (Densilys, le Trieur à bain densimétrique) stood out this year, achieving results even superior to optical sorting machines, proving to be an invaluable tool for enhancing quality.

Saint-Christophe des Bardes truly impressed me in 2022. The abundance of clay layers acted as a drought-resistant superpower, keeping the vines hydrated and healthy while maintaining generous yields.

Top estates in this village—Château Clos de Sarpe, Château Croix de Labrie, Château Barde-Haut, Château Laroque, Château Tour Saint Christophe, and Château de Ferrand (which borders Saint-Hippolyte to the south)—all reported yields exceeding 40hl/ha, making other appellations green with envy.

Meanwhile, both Saint-Émilion’s limestone plateau and the high-altitude vineyards near Castillon delivered yet another wave of exceptional wines, proving once again that “limestone is the soul of Saint-Émilion.”

This year boasts an abundance of exceptional wines—in fact, the performance of Saint-Émilion’s top estates can only be described as nuclear-level!

Some of the best-performing names include:
Clos Fourtet, Château Ausone, Château Canon, Château Belair-Monange, Château Berliquet, Château Larcis Ducasse, Château La Mondotte, Château La Serre, Château La Confession, Château Fonroque, Château Fonplégade, Château Grand Mayne, Château Villemaurine, Château de Pressac, Château Bellevue, and Château Bellefont-Belcier.

This year, I was particularly impressed by estates located west of Saint-Émilion, near Pomerol. If you’ve followed my past vintage reports, you’ll know that this area lacks limestone soils. Apart from a few spots with clay-gravel subsoils, most of the surface soils here are sandy. And yet—shockingly—many châteaux reported that 2022 was their best vintage ever!

It’s true that sandy soils are susceptible to water shortages, but they are not without solutions.

Take Château La Dominique as an example. Winemaker Yann shared with me how they had planted a variety of carefully selected cover crops in their vineyards. Originally, the goal was to force root competition, encouraging the vine roots to dig deeper into the clay layers.

But in 2022, something unexpected happened—vineyards with cover crops showed no signs of drought stress whatsoever.

The herbaceous plants acted as a natural sunscreen, shielding the soil from direct sunlight. This not only lowered soil temperatures but also dramatically reduced water evaporation. Thanks to this technique, Château La Dominique and several other estates managed to produce wines bursting with freshness and juiciness, even in such a dry, hot year.

Other châteaux in this standout group include:
Château La Marzelle, Château Jean Faure, Château La Tour Figeac, Château Montlabert, and Château Grand Corbin-Despagne.

And finally, we must talk about Château Cheval Blanc and Château Figeac—the two undisputed twin stars of the vintage.

Their breathtaking performances have only further cemented their legendary status in Bordeaux, making them must-have investments for serious collectors. If your budget allows, stock up now—this is an investment you won’t regret.

Conclusion

As we turn the final page, the story of the 2022 Bordeaux in-bottle tasting is now fully told. This has undoubtedly been the longest in-bottle review I’ve ever written.

As per AMA tradition, the 2022 edition of the “AMA Selection” will be released alongside this report. This exclusive collection brings together the most remarkable wines of the 2022 vintage, a true testament to Bordeaux’s brilliance. I warmly invite you to explore it.

The greatness of the 2022 Bordeaux vintage is undeniable. I have no doubt that not only will we revisit this vintage time and time again, but so will the generations that follow us.

As always, I’ll leave you with a 32-character takeaway—your quick guide to understand 2022.

Scorching sun, no mercy from rain,
Aromatic depth, power untamed.
Hardships endured, legends remain,
A phoenix reborn, its glory sustained.

All scores and tasting notes for the 2022 vintage have been published across major platforms. AMA annual members can log in at www.alexandrema.com to access bilingual reviews in English and Chinese.

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See you soon, cheers!