Bordeaux 2022 Focus: Top 10 Favorites

Fine wines often command steep prices, especially when prestige dictates cost. But the 2022 Bordeaux vintage reveals an exciting truth for wine lovers: exceptional quality can still be found at an affordable rate.

Our tasting of over 2,000 wines for the Bordeaux 2022 Vintage Report uncovered numerous affordable gems rated 96 points and above, allowing wine lovers to expand their portfolios without breaking the bank. Among these bottles, though, we found 10 that rose above the others when it comes to the score-price metric.

A defining characteristic of this vintage is the perception of freshness, often defying laboratory data. Despite higher alcohol and pH levels, many wines still exude vibrancy. Producers credit this freshness to older vines, superior terroirs, precise harvest timing, meticulous canopy management, balanced yields, careful fruit selection and judicious extraction techniques.

READ MORE BORDEAUX 2022 FOCUS: OUR 100-POINTERS

Among the top-performing appellations, Pauillac and St.-Julien impressed us the most. Certain cru classé estates excelled, with the Château Léoville Poyferré St.-Julien 2022 standing out, earning 99 points yet priced under $120, according to Wine-Searcher – an extraordinary value. Meanwhile, Château Croix de Labrie from St.-Émilion (99 points; $110) captivated with purity, precision, and fine, chalky tannins. St.-Julien’s prestige is also evident in smaller grand cru estates like Château Saint-Pierre, whose 2022 vintage is a fantastic buy (97 points; $64).

In Pauillac, Grand-Puy-Lacoste (97 points; $85) remains a timeless choice, with its 2022 bottling offering depth, structure and complexity, promising graceful aging over the next two to three decades. Château d'Armailhac’s Pauillac 2022 (97 points; $59) also stands out as a highlight of the region.

Margaux presents even better value, with top names like d’Issan (98 points; $71) and Giscours (98 points; $72) delivering outstanding wines at accessible prices.

For white wines and Sauternes/Barsac, the emphasis shifts from acidity to phenolic complexity and sapidity, enhancing the perception of freshness. Our go-to producers, like Domaine de Chevalier (98 points; $78) and Château Malartic-Lagravière, (97 points; $64) continue to offer top-tier quality at significantly lower prices than First Growth wines.

While styles can differ drastically in Sauternes, the top producers tended to show a bit more color, depth of complexity from the high concentration of flavors, lots of residual sugar (many over 150 grams per liter) and botrytis, even though the latter came late in the season. Balance was the key, with lower acidity and high viscosity but also ample sweetness, as shown in the lush and concentrated Château Suduiraut Sauternes 2022 (99 points; $70).

While some younger consumers may overlook Bordeaux – perhaps due to aesthetic fatigue or the patience required for aging – this region remains essential for those beginning their fine wine journey, particularly with cabernet blends.

The depth of education that classic Bordeaux offers is simply unmeasurable, and there should always be enough room in the wine fridge for the essentials – not only Bordeaux but Burgundies, the great Champagnes, German rieslings, Italian Barolos and Brunellos and perhaps some Tokajis, Ports and sherries. But with the abundance of choices available today, Bordeaux’s elite producers still define excellence in fine wine collecting.

– Zekun Shuai, Senior Editor