The northern end of the Médoc, especially Saint-Estèphe, generally triumphed in this boiling hot 2022 vintage.
It’s cooler up there as the peninsula narrows, so more Atlantic breezes reach the vineyards and help reduce temperatures. More rain fell in the northern part of the Médoc, too, which was particularly critical in a hot, dry year that began with a rather dry winter following the 2021 harvest.
You can generally plan on putting down the best wines from Saint-Estèphe and Pauillac for a good while, even if some (like Pichon Baron and Clerc-Milon’s Pastourelle) are surprisingly approachable now.
For much more information on how intelligent Bordeaux fans should approach the 2022 vintage take a look at our vintage overview.
Saint-Estèphe
Wines not to miss include the Saint-Estèphe triumvirate of premium quality: Montrose, Cos d’Estournel and Calon-Ségur. If their prices invoke shock or swearing or both, look to their second wines, which are all mercifully priced. Pick up some Tronquoy, too. It’s delicious, already very friendly and dressed up in new, glitzy packaging that drops “-Lalande” from the name. The branding gurus, it appears, have come for Saint-Estèphe’s bottles. Thankfully, they left the wine alone.
If you’re not in the market for this commune’s First Growths, don’t despair. Grand-Puy-Lacoste remains a wildly good value relative to its quality. Still too pricey? The family’s second wine, Lacoste-Borie, is the way to go. Also, Lynch-Moussas turned out an eye-opener this year that is so, so good.
While Latour lets professionals taste their 2022s, the château no longer sells them en primeur. Their three releases for the 2023 calendar year are included below, and they’re all scrumptious. But the lightness and brightness of the 2017 Les Forts is a real treat given the challenging vintage.
Buy Château Potensac! The property delivered a thrilling wine. Generally speaking, there’s plenty of good juice coming from the Médoc and Haut-Médoc, and the wines are gently priced, too.
The local whites made by the châteaux in these areas—technically “only” Bordeaux AOC—are included here. They’re all tasty, but the Lynch-Bages Blanc is the best value for your money.
