En Primeur Report – Bordeaux 2022: Unfulfilled Potential

Bordeaux 2022 is a great vintage that, despite its high quality, failed to reverse the waning sentiment for En Primeur. The excitement of the new was counteracted by the value on offer.

Although there was a significant increase in the number of visitors at the En Primeur tastings this spring, the campaign did not succeed in capitalising on this positive momentum.

Our latest report, Bordeaux 2022: Unfulfilled Potential, delves into the reasons why the campaign didn’t quite deliver on hopes and the event’s place within the industry in coming years.

Key findings:

• Bordeaux 2022 is a high-quality vintage that has surpassed expectations, given the challenges of the growing season.
• Neal Martin’s average 2022 in-barrel score was below 2020, 2019, and 2016, with most critics noting that it is a vintage to be selective.
• The En Primeur tastings saw a significant increase in the number of visitors this spring, indicating continued interest in the region.
• Some wines managed to offer value and were met with high demand upon release, including Château Cheval Blanc, Château Beychevelle, and Château Lafleur.
• Average price increases between 15% and 25%, and as high as 55%, did not resonate well with the soft Bordeaux market.
• Bordeaux 2022 vintage failed to reverse the declining sentiment for En Primeur due to high release prices in the context of older vintages offering better value.
• Producers should evaluate the market dynamics to navigate the evolving fine wine market, and the role of En Primeur within it.