2022 Bordeaux En Primeur Season

FOR SOME, WINE ISN'T JUST A DRINK. IT CAN BE A GOOD INVESTMENT ON WHICH YOU CAN SEE GREAT RETURNS.

Did you know that the demand for fine wine has rocketed in the last 25 years? Prices for fine wine have followed suit and have increased enormously over the last two decades. Wine can, and often has, outperformed the FTSE 100 and the Dow Jones, offering significant returns. (We have more information about that available here)

The latest release of the 2022 Bordeaux vintage may be the perfect opportunity to start investing in wine or to add to your investment portfolio. The 2022 vintage was described by Pierre Darquey of Les Vins De Crus as "a legendary vintage, never seen before a UFO". We're confident it will deliver exceptional quality and, more importantly, a considerable potential for high returns.

WHAT BORDEAUX EN PRIMEUR IS ABOUT.

Bordeaux En Primeur week is taking place from April 24th to 27th. Those involved in the world of wine will meet in Bordeaux to sample this vintage poised to be glorious and potentially deliver high returns. Industry professionals will have an opportunity to "vente en primeur" (pre-buy) a grand cru classé wine before the product has been bottled and the price is secured exclusive of duty and VAT. These wines remain with the producer, where they're generally matured for about 18 months in barrels inside the storehouses. Once shipped to the merchant, they will be stored in Bond; the Duty and VAT are paid on the release of the bottles.

WHY ARE WE TELLING YOU THIS?

James and Peter will be travelling to Bordeaux to taste the 2022 from 30 leading Chateaux, and on return, they will compile a detailed review of the tastings and compose a list of where they believe the best investments will lie. We're also telling you this because we can offer sound independent advice, whether you want to invest in wine or want to get a return from your previous investments. Paul will not be travelling as he is staying behind to oversee the progress of the new premises; however, he's always available to discuss anything wine/investment related, and if you've wine stored in Bond in the UK and want to bring it back, he's the guy to go to.

If you are interested in En Primeur 2022, please let us know.

WHAT THEY'LL BE TASTING

James and Peter have a very intense 3 days of wine tastings lined up for them. Monday will see them taste the 2022 vintage from impressive Chateaux such as, Carmes Haut Brion, Haut Bailly, Domaine de Chevalier, Smith Haut Lafitte, Fieuzal, Lascombes, Margaux, Giscours, Palmer, Brane Cantenac. Tuesday is even more intense as they will be tasting wines from Vieux Chateau Certan, Evangile, Eglise Clinet, Nenin, Leoville Las Cases, Clos du Marquis, Figeac, Cheval Blanc, Le Pin, Troplong Mondot, Ausone, Beau Sejour Becot, Canon, Fonplegade and Pavie. Wednesday they will have the pleasure of produce from Grand Puy Lacoste, Clerc Millon, Mouton Rothschild, Pichon Baron, Lynch Bages, Pontet Canet and Langoa Barton.

According to a survey of wine merchants conducted by Live-Ex on En Primeur 2021, the five most popular wines – irrespective of price – were Margaux, Lafite Rothschild, Figeac, Cheval Blanc and Ausone, while the top ten wines that offered the most value were listed as Langoa Barton, Brane Cantenac, Grand Puy Lacosts, Domaine de Chevalier, Batailley, Beychevelle, d’Issan, Haut Bailly, Talbot and Brancaire Ducru. They're super lucky to have the opportunity to sample the 2022. Needless to say that those of us staying put are not the slightest bit envious at all; we're also pretty sure it may take some time for a detailed review to be compiled!!

Pierre Daquery - Les Vin De Crus - Vintage Recap

The vintage has been the hottest in decades – we had more than 20 days over 40°C during summer. It could have reminded us of 2003 but a few things were different and saved the 2022:

1. Fresh nights – even though some days were still very warm at night, we had some fresh nights and managed to keep the grapes cool for a few hours
2. Great terroirs – luckily enough, we have a natural acidity in the soil in Bordeaux. Limestone or gravel tend to bring freshness directly from the soils to the grapes – bringing a naturally low pH to the juices. Also, with the years getting warmer, it seems the vineyard has been adapting to hotter climate. Reacting better to heat waves.
3. Technics – since 2003, a lot has evolved in the way of making wines. A lot of research has been done, technologies developed, both in the vineyard but also in the cellar, to be closer to the terroir and understand it better. We have never made wines so precise, understood nature so well.

As a global result, the wines are as never seen before. From what I have already tasted (my family property, Château Teyssier in Montagne St Emilion included), juices are already velvety, with polished tannins. Yet, on the best terroirs – specially with limestone – you can find this freshness, minerality, sign of aging potential. The 2022 will be ready to be drunk at an early stage, with its dense body, ripe characteristic and smoothness, but also will have the acidic level to be kept and evolve in the most beautiful way.

The quantities on the right bank – specially on the Plateau of St Emilion – are particularly good. Pomerol has had smaller yields but also other properties in St Emilion on sand-based terroirs. Left bank is heterogeneous in term of yield – average in St Julien is 35 hl/ha for example, Margaux has been producing a very small amount of grapes when some Châteaux up North Medoc have had decent yields.

It is really a legendary vintage, never seen before, a UFO. Even though we can already predict – because of its quality but also small yield in general – that prices will go up, it is definitely a vintage that is worth investing in. Already certain the journalists’ points will follow and comments will be glorious.