"The high points of the vintage touch the sky. Two thousand twenty-two witnessed the birth of legendary wines and unbeatable value-for-money." - Neal Martin, Vinous
We've devoted ample time to the first half of Martin's dichotomy above, and now it's time to look at the serious bang for the buck that 2022 Bordeaux is unquestionably capable of. Up and down the Gironde, on both banks, there is a raft of spectacular wines at more than affordable prices, thanks in large part to an unprecedented growing season that puts Bordeaux back in the limelight in a big way. Our latest direct-import container brings us one hit after another, and we've compiled a roster of true QPR gems that collectors, fans, and neophytes alike can dive into. Ripe for exploration and discovery, the list contains sleeper stars, hidden gems, and benchmark expressions that capture the very best qualities of this modern-marvel Bordeaux vintage.
The double 94-point 2022 Château d'Arsac is a powerhouse value at under $30 with "dense tannins and layers of black fruits and structure." The vintage has particularly favored the estate style in the 2022 Grand Corbin-Despagne, as evidenced by the wealth of strong press that accompanies it, highlighted by Antonio Galloni's 95-point review. "Soft and plush, with no hard edges and stunning balance," he declares, "Grand Corbin Despagne is impeccable."
Then there are the collectible all-stars of 2022 (and they are legion), as evidenced by the 2022 Branaire-Ducru and its astounding critical line led by a pair of 97-point scores. "A classic Branaire-Ducru that will age with style in bottle" according to Neal Martin, the 2022 manages to temper the more powerful and assertive characteristics of the vintage while conveying "fine, almost clinical delineation" on a "sleek and glossy" foundation. We fully agree with William Kelley that it's "worth a special effort to seek out." The triple 97-point 2022 Gruaud-Larose is likewise a super-savvy cellar contender, "one of the absolute classics from this château." This 2022 is a powerhouse St-Julien that conveys its origins with utter clarity, all while boasting a thoroughbred constitution that sets it up to cruise for decades in the cellar.
These are just a few of the highlights in a must-see line-up below, and once you dive into our entire 2022 Bordeaux selection, you'll find yourself scrambling to make room in the cellar, as there are almost too many outstanding propositions from this monumental modern vintage.
Darker currants, leafy herbs, graphite, tobacco, and subtle orange zest-like nuances all emerge from the 2022 Château Branaire-Ducru, a ripe, concentrated, flawlessly balanced Saint-Julien. With medium to full-bodied richness, a concentrated, layered mouthfeel, and plenty of tannins, it's another no-brainer of a 2022 that readers will love to have in their cellar. The 2022 is 60.5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31.5% Merlot, 5.5% Cabernet Franc, and the balance Petit Verdot, aged 18 months in oak.
97 points, Jeb Dunnuck (Feb 2025)
This impressed during En Primeur and totally delivers on a promise of freshness, charm and drinkability. Juicy and succulent with the clean and crystalline fruit at the fore. Tannins meld seamlessly into the wine with only a hint of bitter chocolate and liquorice spice on the finish giving nuance. Layered and shiny - down plays the vintage in terms of concentration - this is sleek and glossy. Polished and well crafted. A tiny bit shy still - this will age very well - but also feels as if you could start to enjoy this soon. Wonderful.
97 points, Georgina Hindle, Decanter (Jan 2025)
The 2022 Branaire-Ducru has turned out just as brilliantly as I had hoped. Offering up a deep bouquet of crème de cassis and blackberries mingled with pencil shavings, burning embers and cigar box, it's medium to full-bodied, velvety and unctuous, with a rich core of fruit, lively acids and sweet structuring tannins. Iterated and complete, it concludes with a long, broad finish. This blend of 60.5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31.5% Merlot, 5.5% Cabernet Franc and 2.5% Petit Verdot is worth a special effort to seek out.
96 points, William Kelley, Wine Advocate (Mar 2025)
The 2022 Branaire Ducru, bottled mid-June, was one of the most impressive I tasted from barrel. It retains a wonderful bouquet with more red fruit compared to its peers, hints of iodine and a touch of desiccated orange peel. The wine shows fine, almost clinical delineation. It is medium-bodied with an extremely well balanced palate, slightly powdery tannins and a sense of tension and brightness that, like some of the best Saint-Juliens in 2022, puts it above the 2019 or 2020. Quite linear and mineral-driven towards the sapid finish, this is a classic Branaire-Ducru that will age with style in bottle.
96 points, Neal Martin, Vinous (Feb 2025)
Blackcurrants and pencil shavings with such intense but subtle character on the nose. Some crushed stones as well. Full-bodied and dense with layers of polished tannins that are integrated and focused, creamy and caressing. Very long and persistent. 60.5% cabernet sauvignon, 31.5% merlot, 5.5% cabernet franc and 2.5% petit verdot. Best after 2028.
96 points, James Suckling (Jan 2025)
As ever an understated classified wine, not pushing too far even among the exuberance of 2022, instead delivering fragrant, peony-laced cassis fruits laced with slate and graphite. An exceptional example of this property. Owner François-Xavier Maroteaux.
96 points, Jane Anson (Mar 2025)
This is 60.5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31.5% Merlot, 5.5% Cabernet Franc and 2.5% Petit Verdot, an assemblage which has resulted in a svelte and coherent nose, combining dark and perfumed fruits with a leathery overlay of tobacco and black pepper. The palate shows a charming and integrated texture, sweetly knit together and polished, with dark fruits, all damson, olive and plum, set against a rich chalky backdrop of dry and finely grained tannins. A serious and structured wine but with a seductive texture, which will need decades to come around. Impressive. Tasted twice. The alcohol on the label is 14.5%.
96 points, Chris Kissack, Wine Independent (Jun 2025)
A mix of mulled boysenberry and blackberry fruit, dried violet, iris and lively licorice snap notes gives this a textbook and very aromatic St.-Julien profile. A sleek iron detail courses underneath, allowing the fruit to sail unhindered through the finish, flanked judiciously by singed apple wood. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Best from 2027 through 2042. 12,500 cases made, 2,500 cases imported.
95 points, James Molesworth, Wine Spectator (May 2025)
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