Bordeaux 2022 En Primeur

In a year when drought and position played a big part in the balance of the final wine, this Medoc property had some superb Merlot that has richness and structure without too much of either. Soft and fleshy with some chalky tannins, this is a lovely, easy wine for the short-term. 3-9 years.

Plenty of black cherry fruit with plum and a touch of violet on the nose, then more juicy black cherry on the palate. Very fresh and zippy, focused on the finish. A lovely line of clean fruit on a mid-weight texture, very drinkable. 0-5 years.

Quite floral on the nose. Good, sweet fruit on the palate with nice texture, not too much weight for the style but chalky tannins and good persistence. Part of the Pedesclaux stable and reaping the benefits of top winemaking investment. Continues its good recent run. 5-10 years.

Sweet and juicy fruit propped up with supple tannins giving it a very round feel, black cherry and plum fool in the mouth. This is wonderfully balanced and harmonious. Out of the Mouiex stable where the restraint in winemaking is noteworthy this year, a firm recommendation for a good value wine. 3-9 years.

Polished violet aromas give way to intense notes of black fruit and sweet cherry. Well structured with grippy tannins, this has more mineral tones than some and should age nicely. There's a vein of new oak running through and saline finish; its a solid effort. 3-9 years.

Tasted in some exalted company from Pauillac, we were really impressed and delighted how this wine stood out from its peers. All the characteristics of the vintage were on show: dark mulberry fruit, ripeness and concentration, freshness and purity plus a bit of extra depth and length. Smooth and characterful, this wine should be in your cellar this year. 3-9 years.

The second wine of fifth growth Château Batailley, named after the Lions that 'guard' the gate.Sumptous from the off, the Lions exudes cassis and spice. On the palate there is evident purple and blackberry fruit crumble notes with hints of cinnamon, liquorice and dark chocolate coming through. Expressive and rich with plenty of weight and a long finish it's hard to resist this 'baby' Batailley!

Lovely nose with toasty oak underpining attractive plum and damson fruit on the nose. Fresh on the palate, with a bit more blueberry and a jacket of ripe, grainy tannins. Good Pauillac character, this feels like it will take on more weight with age. 5-10 years.

Hugely impressive from the dominant Calon-Segur stable, there?s a lovely round feel to this. Blackcurrant and blackberry fool, then an energy and finesse on the palate backed up by firm but supple new oak and good length. Great wine and great value.

Always a dependable 'second', Sarget is typically full of blueberry and blackberry fruit, soft tannins and an easy feel in the mouth. The whole is very complete, well textured and quite lively on the finish. It?s a classic Sarget made to drink quite early yet showing the power of Gruaud in the background. A good pick this vintage to enjoy a bit younger. 3-9 years.

Really fine, apricoty nose this year, attractive and fresh. Palate has depth and weight, it's supple in the mouth with tempered acidity giving a clean finish. Good balance, fine all round, another good effort in 2022. 0-7 years.

It seems that the hail couldn't stop the improvement that we've seen here in the last decade. Right next door to the much-lauded Montrose, Meyney shows the same intensity of black fruit, plenty of grippy tannins too, almost a menthol and clove cool side to it, tension in the finish and good persistence. A very good effort. 5-10 years.

Another superb nose, full of fruit and blossom, very attractive. Nice sweet fruit in the mouth, great balance and soft, rounded feel in the finish. Enough structure but an earlier drinker than some. 3-9 years.

Located at the highest point of Saint-Emilion this newcomer to our list is destined to become a firm favourite. Suitably deep purple in colour and oozing perfumed notes of black and red berries, spice and vanilla, its balanced, nicely structured with ripe, smooth tannins. Juicy and generous in style this finishes with lengthy notes of toast and sweet tobacco. An excellent debut from this ambitious property. 5-15 years.

Inviting and appealing ripe stone fruits, with a touch of richness. Peachy ripe fruit with a grapefruit freshness and a moreish saline finish. 80% Sauvignon gives a tension and life to it. Super. 0-7 years.

Another really good Angludet that stood out at the Margaux tasting for its equilibrium and restraint while some others were more clumsy. Plenty of violet on the nose, then juicy, round black fruit coupled with silky tannins, with purity and freshness forging through to the finish. Balanced and accurate, a very successful Margaux. 5-15 years.

This consistent performer instantly draws you in with aromas of grapefruit and honeysuckle. Zesty and fresh on the palate, with notes of lime, green apple and white currant and a lingering mineral finish. It hits the mark again! 0-5 years.

More improvement for this wine from the Borie-Manoux stable, now a good value Pauillac with plenty of power and chunk in its make-up, robust but with ripeness. Damson, blood orange and toasty oak all give plenty of character, but there's complexity and harmony too. Good effort. 3-9 years.

A Château that has recently blossomed with better texture and presence than a decade back. Bacon fat on the nose, then lovely, luscious ripe black fruit at its core surrounded by dense yet chalky tannins that build to the finish. There's generosity about this wine, power and yet elegance on the finish. Very good all-round effort. 5-15+ years.

Vibrant blueberry and silky fruit with an enjoyable perfume that leaps out of the glass. Generous blue and black fruit to taste with precise structure and freshness to balance. 3-9 years.


With the highest yield across Pauillac, this wine has done well with very good balanced proportions. Blackberry fruit with damson jelly gives a juicy, ripe but pure feel to it. Forward with generous flavours, some tannin and a keen seam of acidity, good depth and concentration at the end. The whole effect is charming and a success. 5-15 years.

One of the last wines we tasted, so plenty to judge it by, and comparisons are good. Plenty of black fruit, some robust tannins and a chunky presence overall, with richness and ripeness coming through on the palate. Fine oak on the finish, this is firm but succulent and should age well. 5-15 years.

The second wine is two-thirds Merlot and the quality and softness shine. Lots of fruit on the nose, a damson edge that glides onto the palate, a long, saline feel to the finish. Presence but not too chunky in character, surprisingly juicy overall, a mid-term prospect with finesse and charm. Impressive. 3-9 years.

Attractive, almost smoky nose from 56% Merlot this year. Good weight of ripe fruit backed by ripe if grippy tannins and nice balancing acidity. The whole builds to a big mouthful in the finish. Stylish and typically Saint-Estephe, another very good effort from a rising property, well worth a look if you want a keeper. 5-15 years.

A subtle nose of violets leads to a wealth of beautiful pure black cherry, black currant and plum fruit. Precise and polished in style, this is harmonious and balanced. Signed off by hints of liquorice and herb on the long finish, kudos to the team! 3-9 years.

On the nose the violets, black cherry and blackcurrant are followed by a plush, deep black core of summer fruit and hints of liquorice. Quite sumptous with nicely intergrated tannins, this is an excellent release from this ever improving estate. 3-9 years.

Perfumed notes of violets and cassis are followed by a swathe of blue, black and plummy fruit. Precise in style. beautifully smooth, the tannins and oak are effortlessly intergrated. Silky and fine on the finish, this is imprssive stuff! 5-15 years.

Intoxicating notes of violets and plum leap out of the glass, quickly followed by a dense core of purple fruits, dark chocolate, cherry tobacco and graphite. Medium bodied, with well-integrated tannins, its deceptively smooth with a long finish. A return to form for this underrated estate. 5-15 years.

Gonzargue Lurton has fashioned a delicious, structured yet ripe and concentrated wine this year. For a second growth Durfort is always good value and the depth and definition of the black fruit is wrapped in chunky, grainy tannins that work well to support the texture here. Biodynamic practices have created a bright, vibrant character, lots of freshness on the finish. A super effort and a Margaux to admire. 5-15 years.

Gloriously spicy nose of cinnamon and damson, underpinned with a lick of new oak. Masses of dense black fruit on the palate, blackberry and blueberry freshness come through on the end. A layered feeling of integrated fruit and oak, mid-weight and great balance - simple but stylish, which works a treat. Excellent. 5-15 years.

Gorgeous blackberry jelly nose with a touch of spice. Velvety with a complex mix of classic clarety flavours on the palate. Tobacco and cedar are in the background at this stage, but that great GPL structure of long, fine, silky tannins underpin some lush fruit. Restrained in the finish yet very persistent. Length and precision, the hallmarks of another great Pauillac at a decent price. 5-15 years.

Very fresh with a core of raspberry and red plum fruit at its centre, black fruit coming through behind. Lovely poise as you expect from the Lafite stable, good focus and purity, then fresh on the finish. 5-15 years.

Mulberry fruit on the nose, more on the palate with a ripe compote feel, lovely texture with chalky tannins propping up the mouthfeel. Generous and attractive, cool and fresh in the finish. Neat and polished. Drink 5-15 years.

Arguably one of the biggest wines of the visit, this powerhouse is full on from outset. Intense exotic aromatics of damson, violets and fleshy plum preceed a big, core of inky black and blue fruit. Built to last, the use of 70% new oak is inescapable, if you like your wine dense and oaky this is for you! 5-15+years.

Super mix of fruit: damson, plum, raspberry and a shot of currant. Soft, round and svelte in the mouth, restrained and mineral with plenty of power but refined tannins and great persistence. Very good length too. Superb focus and definition, a very good to excellent wine. 5-15+ years.

Intense notes of grapefruit, pear, nectarine and white peach leap from the glass before you're met with a silky mid-palate of racy citrus, tropical and oak notes. Energetic and tense this is still tight and will need time to open out and deliver on its great potential. 3-9 years.

This Château has been firing on all cylinders of late, no doubt due to the talents of technical director Nicolas Audebert, and a wine that's going to flirt with perfection is their 2022 Château Rauzan-Ségla. Powerful notes of black cherries, currants, smoked tobacco, chocolate, and leafy herbs all define the aromatics, and it hits the palate with full-bodied richness, a deep, layered, concentrated texture, ripe yet building tannins, and a great finish. This is a legit great wine that's going to rival the 2010, 2015, 2016, 2018, and 2020. 97/99 Points, Jeb Dunnuck, Jebdunnuck.com, May 2023

Attractive floral aromas, blackcurrant too. A blueberry centre with some tight tannins at present, then becomes long and quite luscious, still fresh yet with power on the finish. Juicy in nature, more structured than some but good potential. 5-15+ years

Black berry and lead pencil on the nose with fresh flowers. Some rose stems, too. Full-bodied with racy and fine tannins that run the length of the wine. Complex and intense in flavor, it remains full of energy and verve 96/97 points, James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com

One of the stars of the commune that keeps delivering. A most lovely nose of cassis, violet, blackberry and blueberry fool cascades onto the palate backed by classy, creamy oak. Good grip that balances the richness of fruit, quite chalky on the finish with warmth and good length. Feels like a keeper. 5-15+ years.

Sleek and fresh this was so moreish. Less power than its counterparts but brimming with intense purple & black fruit and liquorice. The fine tannins and lifted acidity are seamless, a real precise engaging wine which I adored! 5-12 years.

The 12th vintage of this sought after estate delivers alluring aromatics of mulberry and spice. With some appealing grippy tannins, this is intense yet wonderfully fresh and plush in style. Rich and polished with a hint of salinity on the finish, the increasing use of Cabernet Franc in the blend is paying dividends. 5-15 years.

Often overlooked, this estate is definitely one to seek out. A beautifully crafted wine, the 2022 offers up enticing notes of damson, forest fruits, plums and flora. Big in structure but still supple, the minerality and youthful acidity shine through. Long and layered on the finish, this is another classy release from this consistently excellent Chateau. 5-15 years

An exotic floral nose with hints of creamy Kirsch and framboise. Fresh and polished with excellent depth and purity of fruit. This is wonderfully intergrated, a very classy second wine! 5-15 years.

The high point of a superb tasting at Ducru-Beaucaillou. Spiced damson to start, then blueberry and mulberry cascades onto the palate with silky tannins, very fine, intense with poise and finesse, very fluid, clean finish and lovely persistence. The whole feels very complete, nicely concentrated with impeccable balance. Lots of energy about it, definitely worthy of its status and rank. 5-15 years.

This is a stunner! A gorgeous, heady nose of cassis, spice and blackberries moves to a super plush palate of plum, damson and notes of liquorice. Wonderfully opulent, full bodied and showing multidimensional complexity, this a real tour de force from Alexandre Thienpont. 5-15+ years.

A big, long-term prospect with gutsy tannin, almost over-ripe but chock full of ripe damson fruit that needs the grip to work. Plenty of alcohol but balanced by the quality of fine tannin and density of fruit. Impressive, if powerful and somewhat atypical. 5-15 years.

Richer and more mouth filling with riper fruit feel than La Mission, there is again plenty of concentration and density, grainy tannins power through the middle and it is very long in the mouth. This is a wine of real presence and, while it feels a bit clumsy at the moment, should deliver in spades in the long run. 5-15+ years.

Delicious hints of framboise, morello cherries, rose petal and garrigue lead onto a dense mid-palate of plums, spice, crumble and sweet black cherry. Full-bodied with warming notes of creamy oak and touch of salinity on the long finish. 5-15+ years.

Starts with a mulberry nose, then layers of cassis and raspberry on the entry. Soft, complex red-fruit gives way to ripe blackberry behind. This supple, fresh core of fruit is wrapped in silky, fine tannins, such a smooth texture, pretty and effortless at the same time as structured but not over-wrought. The length is exceptional, the whole oozes class and finesse. A wonderful wine. 5-15+ years