Bordeaux en-primeur

Bordeaux en-primeur 2022

The 2022 vintage will long be remembered for its high temperatures, not only in Bordeaux, but across Europe. However, the inclement 2021 vintage with cool temperatures and moist soils played a significant role in maintaining soil moisture reserves in an otherwise dry 2022. As with many other great vintages, these extremes (within certain bounds) can lead to incredible wines. Very little rain was recorded during the summer and an early harvest ensued, bringing in healthy but small-berried clusters of grapes.

Bordeaux en-primeur 2022 has come to a close. For any additional requests, please email Johan.

Wine Appellation  Rand /bottle* JR.com 
 /20  
WA   
/100
Dec
/100
JS
/100
NM
/100
Aile d'Argent Bordeaux Blanc R 1,254 - R 1,518          
Blanc de Lynch-Bages Bordeaux Blanc R 640 - R 775          
Clos des Lunes Bordeaux Blanc R 154 - R 186       92-93  
Puygueraud Côtes de Francs R 188 - R 228          
Montlandrie Côtes de Castillon R 287 - R 348 16.5        
La Dauphine Fronsac R 267 - R 323 16.5        
Cantemerle Haut-Médoc R 364 - R 440 16+        
La Lagune Haut-Médoc R 534 - R 646 16.5        
Sénéjac Haut-Médoc R 225 - R 272          
Les Cruzelles Lalande de Pomerol R 353 - R 427 16+        
Alter Ego de Palmer Margaux R 942 - R 1,141 17+        
Brane-Cantenac Margaux R 880 - R 1,066 17     96-97  
d'Issan Margaux R 786 - R 952 17.5     93-94  
du Tertre Margaux R 560 - R 678          
Labegorce Margaux R 427 - R 517 16.5        
Lascombes Margaux R 1,014 - R 1,227 15.5        
Malescot Saint-Exupéry Margaux R 650 - R 787 16        
Margaux Margaux R 7,469 - R 9,042 19        
Palmer Margaux R 3,487 - R 4,221 18+        
Rauzan-Ségla Margaux R 1,200 - R 1,453 17.5        
Siran Margaux R 413 - R 501 16        
Potensac Médoc R 331 - R 401          
Mauvesin Barton Moulis R 238 - R 288          
Clerc Milon Pauillac R 1,067 - R 1,291 17.5     95-96  
d'Armailhac Pauillac R 640 - R 775 16.5        
Duhart Milon Pauillac R 1,040 - R 1,259 17.5     95-96  
Grand-Puy-Lacoste Pauillac R 960 - R 1,163 17.5        
Haut-Bages Libéral Pauillac R 494 - R 598 17        
Haut-Batailley Pauillac R 754 - R 912 17        
Lafite Rothschild Pauillac R 8,577 - R 10,383 19     99-100  
Le Petit Mouton Pauillac R 2,989 - R 3,618 17.5     97-98  
Lynch-Bages Pauillac R 1,430 - R 1,731 17++        
Mouton Rothschild Pauillac R 6,173 - R 7,473 18.5     99-100  
Pichon Baron Pauillac R 2,107 - R 2,551 18        
Pichon Lalande Pauillac R 2,323 - R 2,812 18        
Pontet-Canet Pauillac R 1,256 - R 1,521 17        
La Clarté de Haut-Brion Pessac-Léognan Blanc R 1,200 - R 1,453          
Domaine de Chevalier Pessac-Léognan Rouge R 858 - R 1,038 17        
Haut-Brion Pessac-Léognan Rouge R 6,269 - R 7,589 18.5     99-100  
La Chapelle de la Mission Haut-Brion Pessac-Léognan Rouge R 934 - R 1,130 16.5     93-94  
La Mission Haut-Brion Pessac-Léognan Rouge R 4,001 - R 4,844 18+     97-98  
Le Clarence Haut-Brion Pessac-Léognan Rouge R 2,134 - R 2,583 17+     96-97  
Les Carmes Haut-Brion Pessac-Léognan Rouge R 1,441 - R 1,744       97-98  
Malartic-Lagravière Pessac-Léognan Rouge R 597 - R 722 17        
Pape Clément Pessac-Léognan Rouge R 1,302 - R 1,576 16.5+        
Smith Haut Lafitte Pessac-Léognan Rouge R 1,441 - R 1,744 17+     99-100  
Clinet Pomerol R 1,156 - R 1,399          
Gazin Pomerol R 1,092 - R 1,321 16.5        
L'Eglise-Clinet Pomerol R4,535 - R 5,490 17.5+        
La Conseillante Pomerol R 2,712 - R 3,283          
Le Gay Pomerol R 1,387 - R 1679          
Rouget Pomerol R 640 - R 775          
Vieux Château Certan Pomerol R 3,735 - R 4,521 18++        
Angélus Saint-Émilion R 4,982 - R 6,031 18        
Barde-Haut Saint-Émilion R 385 - R 466          
Canon   Saint-Émilion R 1,547 - R 1,873 17.5        
Cheval Blanc Saint-Émilion R 8,014 - R 9,701 17        
Clos Fourtet Saint-Émilion R 1,430 - R 1,731 17        
Figeac Saint-Émilion R 2,712 - R 3,283 17.5+        
Fleur Cardinale Saint-Émilion R 579 - R 700 17        
Fonbel Saint-Émilion R 286 - R 346 16        
Fonplégade Saint-Émilion R 576 - R 697 17        
Larcis Ducasse Saint-Émilion R 987 - R 1,195 16++        
Laroque Saint-Émilion R 364 - R 440 16.5+     94-95  
Le Dragon de Quintus Saint-Émilion R 478 - R 579 16     92-93  
Pavie Saint-Émilion R 5,198 - R 6,293 18        
Pavie Macquin Saint-Émilion R 1,040 - R 1,259 16.5+        
Troplong Mondot Saint-Émilion R 1,334 - R 1,615 17++        
Capbern Saint-Estèphe R 312 - R 378 17        
Calon-Ségur Saint-Estèphe R 1,352 - R 1,636 18        
Cos d'Estournel Saint-Estèphe R 2,383 - R 2,884 18.5     97-98  
Dame de Montrose Saint-Estèphe R 560 - R 678 16.5        
Lafon-Rochet Saint-Estèphe R 610 - R 739 17        
Les Ormes de Pez Saint-Estèphe R 364 - R 440 16.5        
Les Pagodes de Cos Saint-Estèphe R 650 - R 787 17     93-94  
Montrose Saint-Estèphe R 2,134 - R 2,583 18+        
Phélan Ségur Saint-Estèphe R 587 - R 710 15.5        
Beychevelle Saint-Julien R 1,144 - R 1,384 16        
Branaire-Ducru Saint-Julien R 611 - R 739 15.5        
Clos du Marquis Saint-Julien R 720 - R 872          
Ducru-Beaucaillou Saint-Julien R 2,534 - R 3,068          
Gloria Saint-Julien R 534 - R 646 17        
Lagrange Saint-Julien R 654 - R 791 16        
Langoa Barton Saint-Julien R 627 - R 759 17        
Léoville Barton Saint-Julien R 1,147 - R 1,389 18        
Léoville Poyferré Saint-Julien R 1,066 - R 1,290 17.5+        
Léoville Las Cases Saint-Julien R 3,068 - R 3,714          
Petit Lion Saint-Julien R 774 - R 936          
Saint-Pierre Saint-Julien R 747 - R 904 16.5        
Coutet Sauternes 375ml R 286 - R 346          
Doisy-Daëne Sauternes 375ml R 260 - R 315          
Suduiraut Sauternes 375ml R 387 - R 468          
 
  • * If a price range is indicated then the price has not been released and is only an estimated range of the potential price.
  • Payment is required on invoice.
  • Prices are stated in Rand/bottle en-primeur, excluding shipping costs (approx R50/bottle) and VAT, payable on landing in 2023.
  • A minimum order of 6 bottles per wine. First Growths are available in cases of 3.
  • All wines are bottled as 750ml unless indicated otherwise. Other formats are available on request.
  • JR – JancisRobinson.com, DEC – Decanter, WA – Wine Advocate, JS – James Suckling, NM – Neal Martin
Producer Wine NM WA AG JA Price
Alter Ego de Palmer Margaux 90-92 91-93 93-95 92 R1 745
Barde-Haut Saint-Émilion 93-95 91-93 94-96 95 R697
Beau-Séjour Bécot Saint-Émilion 96-98 98-100 96 S/O
Berliquet Saint-Émilion 92-94 94-95 91-93 94 R1 157
Beychevelle Saint-Julien 95-97 92-94 94-96 93 R1 785
Blanc de Lynch Bages Bordeaux Blanc - 92 94 S/O
Branaire-Ducru Saint-Julien 95-97 95-97 94-96 96 S/O
Brane-Cantenac Margaux 96-98 95-97 95-97 98 S/O
Calon Ségur Saint-Estèphe 94-96 96-98 91-93 94 R2 697
Canon Saint-Émilion 96-98 99-100 96-99 98 R3 173
Cantemerle Haut-Médoc 92-94 - 93 R549
Capbern Saint-Estèphe 90-92 90-92 89-91 91 S/O
Cheval Blanc Saint-Émilion 98-100 97-99 98-100 98-100 S/O
Clinet Pomerol 94-96 94-96 94-96 96 S/O
Clos des Lunes, Lune d'Argent Bordeaux Blanc 89-91 86-88 90-92 - R230
Clos Fourtet Saint-Émilion 95-97 94-96 96-98 98 S/O
Clos Manou Médoc 91-93 94 R428
Clos Manou Cuvée 1850 95 R1 441
Cos d'Estournel Saint-Estèphe 95-97 93-95 95-97 97 R4 919
Côte de Baleau Saint-Émilion 92-94 90-92 92 R423
Coutet Barsac 375ml - - 92 R373
d'Armailhac Pauillac  93-95 92-94 89-91 94 R1 047
De Ferrand Saint-Émilion 92-94 94 R608
De Fieuzal Pessac-Léognan Rouge 94-96+ R727
de Fonbel Saint-Émilion 89-91 90-92 R370
d'Issan Margaux 93-95 93-95 93-95 95 R1 349
Doisy-Daëne Sauternes 375ml 95-97 - 93-95 92 R392
Domaine de Chevalier Pessac-Léognan Rouge 95-97 94-96 93-96 96 R1 460
Domaine de Chevalier Pessac-Léognan Blanc 92-94 93-96 95-97 94 R2 094
Ducru-Beaucaillou Saint-Julien 95-97 94-96 95-97 98 S/O
Duhart-Milon Pauillac 93-95 91-93 92-94 94 R1 587
Figeac Saint-Émilion 97-99 98-100 96-99 98 R6 231
Fleur Cardinale Saint-Émilion 90-92 - 90-92 94 R846
Fonplégade Saint-Émilion 90-92 93-95 95 R809
Gazin Pomerol 91-93 92-94 - 94 R1 745
Giscours Margaux 94-96 95-97 95 R1 322
Gloria Saint-Julien 94-96 91-93 91-93 92 R825
Grand Mayne Saint-Émilion 93-95 94-96 R846
Grand-Puy-Lacoste Pauillac 96-98 95-97 92-94.5 96 S/O
Gruaud Larose Saint-Julien 95-97 94-96 93-95 96 R1 841
Haut-Bages Libéral Pauillac 94-96 93-95 93-96 93 S/O
Haut-Brion Pessac-Léognan Rouge 96-98 95-97 97-99 96 S/O
La Chapelle de la Mission Haut-Brion Pessac-Léognan Rouge 90-92 90-92 91-93 92 R1 745
La Conseillante Pomerol 97-99 97-100 96-98 97 S/O
La Croix Ducru-Beaucaillou Saint-Julien 93-95 90-92 92-94 93 R952
La Dame de Montrose Saint-Estèphe 91-93 92-94 92-94 - R793
La Dauphine Fronsac 91-93 89-91 90-92 93 R370
La Gaffelière Saint-Émilion 95-97 95-96 98-100 96 R1 481
La Lagune Haut-Médoc 92-94 93-95 88-91 94 R899
La Mission Haut Brion Pessac-Léognan Rouge 97-99 94-96 97-99 97 S/O
La Pointe Pomerol 92-94 - - 93 R873
Labegorce Margaux 92-94 - 91-93 93 R635
Lacoste Borie Pauillac S/O
Lafite Rothschild Pauillac 96-98 95-97 96-98 97 S/O
Lafon-Rochet Saint-Estèphe 92-94 90-92 95-97 94 R899
Lagrange Saint-Julien 95-97 94-96 92-94 96 R1 047
Langoa-Barton Saint-Julien 92-94 93-95 91-93 94 R899
Larcis-Ducasse Saint-Émilion 95-97 94-95 96-98 96 R1 904
Laroque Saint-Émilion 92-94 93-95 92-94 97 R621
Latour Martillac Pessac-Léognan Rouge 92-94 91-93 91-93 93 S/O
Le Dragon de Quintus Saint-Émilion 89-91 90-92 - 90 R767
Le Petit Haut Lafitte Pessac-Léognan Blanc 92-94 R793
Le Petit Haut Lafitte Pessac-Léognan Rouge 91-93 90-92 91-93 - R571
Le Pin Pomerol 96-98 96-99 94-97 97 S/O
l'Eglise Clinet Pomerol 98-100 - 96-98 98 S/O
Léoville Barton Saint-Julien 96-98 96-97 93-95 96 R1 698
Léoville Las Cases Saint-Julien 98-100 98-100 98-100 97 S/O
Léoville Poyferre Saint-Julien 95-97 94-96 94-96 96 S/O
Les Carmes Haut-Brion Pessac-Léognan Rouge 96-98 99-100 98-100 96 R2 856
Les Cruzelles Lalande de Pomerol 92-94 - 92-94 93 R522
Les Ormes de Pez Saint-Estèphe 92-94 90-92 91-93 94 R555
L'Esprit de Chevalier Pessac-Léognan Blanc 91-93 R562
L'Esprit de Chevalier Pessac-Léognan Rouge 90-92 88-90 91-93 - R463
Lynch-Bages Pauillac 95-97 93-96 95-97 97 R2 793
Malartic-Lagravière Pessac-Léognan Rouge 93-95 91-93 94-96.5 96 R889
Malescot Saint-Exupéry Margaux 93-95 93-95 92-94 - R1 190
Margaux Margaux 96-98 96-97 97-99 98-100 S/O
Mauvesin Barton Moulis 91-93 - 90-92 92 R317
Meyney Saint-Estèphe 91-93 - 95 S/O
Montlandrie Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux 90-92 - 92-94 93 R450
Montrose Saint-Estèphe 97-99 99-100 96-98 97 S/O
Mouton Rothschild Pauillac 96-98 96-99 96-98 98 R13 313
Palmer Margaux 96-98 95-97 96-98 96 R7 801
Pape Clément Pessac-Léognan Rouge 94-96 92-94 93-96 95 S/O
Pavie-Macquin Saint-Émilion 92-94 94-96 95-97 98 R1 777
Pédesclaux Pauillac 91-93 89-91 92-94 94 R859
Phélan Ségur Saint-Estèphe 95-97 91-93 91-94 95 S/O
Pichon Baron Pauillac 96-98 95-97 96-98 94 R3 554
Pichon Comtesse Réserve Pauillac 91-93 91-93 91-93 93 R952
Pichon Comtesse de Lalande Pauillac 96-98 97-99 96-99 98 R4 496
Pontet-Canet Pauillac 94-96 - 95-97 94 R2 380
Potensac Médoc 91-93 89-91 91-93 93 R529
Puyblanquet Saint-Émilion - 92-94 90 R529
Puygueraud Francs Côtes de Bordeaux Rouge 87-89 89-91 89-91 93 R255
Quintus Saint-Émilion 92-94 92-94+ - 94 R2 539
Rauzan-Ségla Margaux 95-97 96-97 95-97 97 R2 221
Saint-Pierre Saint-Julien 94-96 93-94 93-95 94 S/O
Sainte-Marie Pomerol R595
Sénéjac Haut-Médoc 92-94 90-92 - 93 R298
Siran Margaux 92-94 90-92 93-95 94 S/O
Smith Haut Lafitte Pessac-Léognan Rouge 95-97 94-95 95-97 97 S/O
Suduiraut Sauternes 375ml 93-95 - 92-94 92 R677
Tronquoy Saint-Estèphe 93-95 89-91 91-93 93 R489
Troplong Mondot Saint-Émilion 96-98 98-100 96-98 98 S/O
Vieux Château Certan Pomerol 97-99 97-99 98-100 96 S/O
  • NM = Neal Martin
  • WA = Wine Advocate
  • AG = Antonio Galloni
  • JA = Jane Anson

 

Bordeaux 2022 vintage overview

The vintage:

The 2022 vintage will long be remembered for its high temperatures, not only in Bordeaux, but across Europe. In contrast to 2021, which saw long-lasting grey skies and a lot of rain, 2022 made headlines for extended dry spells and soaring temperatures. However, the inclement 2021 vintage with cool temperatures and moist soils played a significant role in maintaining soil moisture reserves in an otherwise dry 2022. As with many other great vintages, these extremes (within certain bounds) can lead to incredible wines. The dreaded ‘frost period’ in April saw a drop in temperatures and frost did affect various areas, though not as severely as other frost-ridden vintages. A period of very low rainfall followed and, as summer drew closer, the thermometer jumped. June, July and August recorded the hottest average temperatures since 2009. Very little rain was recorded during the summer and an early harvest ensued, bringing in healthy but small-berried clusters of grapes.

The wines:

Despite winemakers fearing the worst in terms of overripe fruit and low acidity, wineries across Bordeaux were surprised by the energy and tension in the wines. ‘I remember seeing the juice of my first block during fermentation and realised we have something special. We called the whole team together and decided to work very gently as we did not need to do hard extractions this year,’ commented Jean-Antoine Nony at Grand Mayne during our recent visit. Guillaume Thienpont echoed these sentiments when we visited Vieux Château Certan and Le Pin: ‘Of course every vintage is different. There are no recipes. For 2022 we didn’t have to work anything too hard.’ Across appellations, the wines have great concentration, energy and tension on the palate, without sacrificing depth of fruit or structure. 2022 is a vintage that will age exceptionally well, yet at the lower end of the price scale, some wines will be very appealing in their youth.

Pricing and orders:

The main benefits of buying en primeur are certainty of allocation as well as pricing. Margins throughout the value chain are lower during en primeur and consequently pricing is more attractive. Wine Cellar has conducted 20 EP campaigns and 80% of these have turned out be considerably more attractive if you bought during the campaign compared to after the wines’ in bottle release. All prices quoted are excluding VAT. VAT, landing charges and local delivery are all payable on arrival in South Africa in 2025. Ultimately, your view of the Rand’s position and long-term outlook will determine whether you buy or not.

Scores:

A combination of critics that we consider to be authoritative are used to compile a collection a scores per wine. These critics are Neal Martin (for Vinous.com), William Kelley (for Robert Parker's Wine Advocate), Antonio Galloni (for Vinous.com) and Jane Anson (for Inside Bordeaux).

What to buy?

Wine Cellar has selected the finest and most popular 100-odd châteaux based on 2 decades of en-primeur sales. We can, however, source wines from almost all the châteaux that sell through the campaign on customer requests. Some properties, such as Latour, choose not to participate.

We also offer buying advice and can suggest a basket of wines based on your particular style and budget. Sign up to our en-primeur newsletter.

Should I buy?

The big question is: Should you buy? We have analysed 10 of our most popular châteaux from the 2005 campaign, and compared en-primeur to current retail prices. 2005 showed a 280% growth in Rand price – or a 10% annualised saving since 2006. While a fair portion of the gain is Rand depreciation, as well as higher retail versus en-primeur mark-ups, there was still sizable growth in price from en-primeur to release, through to maturity.

En-primeur enables you to buy all châteaux with 1 invoice in various bottle formats and case sizes at highly competitive prices. So, if the Rand stays fairly constant or depreciates further, en-primeur is the cheapest way to buy Bordeaux in SA.

How to order?

Subscribe to our en-primeur mailing list and respond to one of our Bordeaux en-primeur newsletters, or you can order via email or phone while stocks are available. Alternatively, you can send through your wish list at any time.

 

Terms and conditions

  • Wines are sold in Rands only at the current Rand/Euro exchange rate.
  • Wines are sold exclusive of VAT and shipping.
  • Payment is required on invoice via EFT on presentation of the invoice. Credit card payments carry a 2.5% surcharge.
  • Shipping (estimated at R60 per bottle) and VAT are payable when the wines land in South Africa during the second half of 2025.
  • Unless otherwise stated, bottles are in standard 750ml format. Please note that 375ml, 1500ml and 3000ml bottles carry a small surcharge.
  • Cases are available in 6 x 750ml, 12 x 750ml, 12 x 375ml, 24 x 375ml or 6 x 1500ml sizes.
  • Orders must be placed by email to johan@winecellar.co.za
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