Wine

The best picks from the 2022 Bordeaux en primeur week

That year’s growing season was a drama of non-stop extreme weather events, yet the wines it produced have exceeded all expectations

“With the futures game, you put your money down now while the wine is still ageing in barrels and, in about two years, you get your bottles.” Picture: Bloomberg

At 9am on April 17, I was swirling, sniffing, sipping and spitting a stunning barrel sample of first growth Chateau Mouton Rothschild. It was my first taste of Bordeaux’s 2022 vintage.

Over the next two weeks in the region, I sampled impressive wines at dozens of chateaux and official press tastings. Most of them completely upended all my expectations - and everyone else’s.

After all, the 2022 growing season was a drama of non-stop extreme ...