This will Be One Of The Most Important Vintages Of The Century: How The En Primeur In Bordeaux Went Down

Despite initially low expectations due to the hot and dry season, Bordeaux experienced a successful harvest. During our week-long visit to Bordeaux, we had the opportunity to explore numerous esteemed châteaux and speak to winemakers. We inquired about their strategies for producing vibrant wines with well-balanced tannins, which can be enjoyed presently while also having the potential for long-term aging, even in the face of drought conditions.

En Primeur: Sales Start

Every year, Bordeaux producers present wines of the latest vintage to wine merchants and wine critics from all over the world. Being invited to distinguished chateaux for En Primeur tastings is the result of years of cooperation with negociants, and friendship with chateau managers and owners.
People tend to greet any new product with some skepticism and abiding suspicion. Demand for the 2022 vintage is already high - after a not-so-successful 2021, it has received generous marks from critics. Offerings from the most sought-after farms tend to be very limited. Although we work with several negociants, even their resources may not be sufficient for the top positions.

Why it's important to look at En Primeur 

• It's profitable. Advance purchase ensures the lowest possible price - even on the greatest and most sought-after wines. Also, by paying in advance, you are insured against currency fluctuations in the future.
• It's safe. With En Primeur, you get your wine virtually from the château cellar. 100% anti-counterfeiting protection.
• Direct access to rarities. En Primeur sells super sought-after wines, including those that will become instantly scarce when they hit the market in two years.
• Volume. Each château traditionally produces a limited release in large formats: magnums, dab-magnums, etc. These items immediately become rare, and the cost of wine in them rises even faster than in a standard 0.75 bottle.

The year 2022 was a difficult one, with infrequent rains and a record-breaking heat wave that started as early as May and didn't let up until the start of the harvest. However, the vines were surprisingly still in shape - they were as green as leeks all season long. Plus there were few rains, which excluded diseases. The berries were small, with thick skins - rich in sugars and ripe tannins. But the grapes were not very acidic at harvest - usually accompanied by a high pH level - but in 2022 this was unexpectedly lower than usual. Short-term rain episodes in June and August, as well as quite significant daily temperature variations at the end of the season, did not inspire confidence - winemakers were expecting fruit bombs. But in the end... The result was fine, elegant wines with ripe tannins - you can drink them now. And you don't think about the alcohol level (and it exceeds 14 degrees on average) - the balance is so perfect.

William Kelley: "Deep, one of the most exciting vintages in decades - great, but not in the classical sense, as it was not homogeneous, forgiving any mistakes or missteps. Success depended largely on decisions made in the vineyard and in the cellar. I expect prices for this vintage to be high."