2022 Margaux Vintage Report and Wine Buying Guide
2022 Margaux is not a completely homogenous vintage, due in large part to massive size of the appellation and its landscape of varying terroirs each of which offer different abilities to deal with the high temperatures and lack of rain. Add to that consideration that with 2022 Margaux, not only were temperatures warmer, but the lack of water was even more pronounced here than in the appellations. Clearly, 2022 Margaux was shaped by the intensity of the summer climatic conditions to the point where some growers feared the results of the hot, dry, growing season.
Thomas Duroux – Chateau Palmer – “After the weather we had during the summer, by August, I feared we would end up with hot, jammy wines. But that is clearly not the case, as you can see.”
After tasting almost every major wine from 2022 Margaux, it is clearly that while heterogenous, there are numerous, stunning 2022 Margaux Margaux that merit, tasting, buying and cellaring. Though, much to the chagrin of several owners, yields were down so the amount of wine produced was much less than usual. On average, most chateau will make at least 20% less wine than usual with yields averaging close to 30 hectoliters per hectare.
However, the level of quality produced in 2022 Margaux for the vignerons with water retentive terroirs is quite high. In fact, a few estates managed to produce some of the best wines in the history of the property.
Alexander Van Beek – Chateau Giscours – “2022 Bordeaux is a special and unique vintage that delivers everything, without being over the top. It is definitely one of our most precise vintages we have ever produced.”
The low level of production in 2022 Margaux is the direct cause of the extreme, climatic conditions that produced very small grapes with high skin to juice ratios. On the positive side, that means the wines are concentrated, perfumed and with an unparalleled balance between richness, freshness and purity.
All of this add up to creating a truly unique character for 2022 Margaux wines. In fact, while it is natural for consumers and producers to want to compare 2022 Margaux with other previous vintages, that is not easy to do.
Philippe Bascules – Chateau Margaux – “It is hard, if not impossible to compare 2022 with any other vintage. 2022 Margaux is unique and perhaps it shows the future of Bordeaux with higher IPTs, higher alcohol and low pH. And yet, the wines are perfectly balanced!”
It is interesting to note that with 2022 Margaux, you had equal success with Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, which helped create the beautiful style and character of the vintage. Another point to consider with the drought was that many young vines did not fare well, so you have a greater percentage of old vine fruit that adds to the concentration and complexity in the wines. Another point is the current generation of growers and their increasing knowledge and ability to farm in these extreme conditions.
Nicolas Audubert – Chateau Rauzan Segla – “Being 100% organic in a hot, dry vintage, 2022 was an easy easy year because we were disease free. Clean fruit in the vineyard, even in excessive growing conditions allowed us to produce magical wines.”
With the combined heat and drought, vignerons needed to adapt their farming practices making sure the leaves and fruits did not become overexposed to hot, sunny conditions to avoid developing cooked, or overripe flavors.
Jose Sansifis – Chateau Cantenac Brown – “In a drought vintage like 2022, we have very little leaf removal. Usually that takes place twice during the growing season. But with 2022 Margaux, we only deleafed once.”
For a complete, detailed overview and analysis of the 2022 Bordeaux vintage and harvest with producer quotes… 2022 Bordeaux Vintage, Harvest Report
All of the following 2022 Margaux wines were tasted in Bordeaux in April. Most of the wines were tasted at the property. However, a few of the wines were tasted at Negociants, Consultants or with trade groups. Whenever possible the wines were tasted more than once.
2022 Margaux Wine Tasting Notes…
2022 Bellevue de Tayac – Margaux – Forward, medium bodied, fresh, red berry oriented wine with notes of underbrush, cocoa and accents of espresso in the early-drinking wine. Drink from 2025-2037. 88-90 Pts
2022 Brane Cantenac – Margaux – Deeply colored, the wine opens with violets, lilacs, roses, cigar wrappers, creme de cassis, spice and lavender aromatics in the perfume. On the palate, the wine is pure silk and velvet. There is a beautiful elegance, symmetry, and balance you notice as soon as the wine graces your palate. There is length, purity, and refinement making this effortless to taste. The finish has no edges, leaving you with a wealth of sensuous fruits. Fans of Brane Cantenac should run, not walk, and buy this gem as prices continue to remain reasonable for a wine of this character, and quality. The wine blends 74% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Merlot, and 1% of Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Carmenere. The wine is 14.3% ABV, 3.61 pH. The harvest took place September 7 – October 4, with the Carmenere picked October 10. This is the earliest start to a harvest in the history of the estate. Yields were 31.5% hectoliters per hectare. The Grand Vin was produced from only 42% of the harvest. Drink from 2027-2055. 96-98 Pts
2022 Brane Cantenac Baron de Brane – Margaux – Flowers, cherries, spice and licorice aromas are easy to find. On the palate, the wine is elegant fresh, soft, and supple, with a nice sweetness to the fruits and a refined texture in the finish. This baby Brane is perfect to enjoy on release while waiting for the Grand Vin to develop. The wine blends 65% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot, 13.5% ABV. Drink from 2025-2037. 91-93 Pts
2022 Cantenac Brown – Margaux – Deeply colored, the wine shows off its violets, lilacs, licorice, black cherry, and currant character with a single swirl. On the palate, the wine is rich, lush, polished, creamy, and loaded with black, red and blue fruits. There is length, opulence, and layers of ripe, sweet, pit fruits that linger. The wine is a blend of 69% Cabernet Sauvignon and 31% Merlot. 13.8% ABV, 3.64 pH. Yields were 30 hectoliters per hectare. The Grand Vin was produced using only 52% of the harvest. Picking took place September 7 – September 27. Drink from 2027-2055. 94-96 Pts
2022 Cantenac Brown Brio de Cantenac Brown – Margaux – With its black, and red pit fruit profile on the nose,, and palate, the medium-bodied wine is floral, fresh and already, quite easy to taste. The end notes are filled with soft, round, sweet, creamy fruits. Drink from 2025-2032. 89-91 Pts
2022 Cantenac Brown Alto de Cantenac Brown – Bordeaux – Pineapple, grapefruit, white flowers and orange rind fill the nose. On the palate, the wine is sweet, creamy, and expressive, with a lemon curd and white peach filled finish. The wine was produced from a blend of 90% Sauvignon Blanc and 10% Semillon. Drink from 2024-2028. 91-91 Pts
2022 Dauzac – Margaux – Black and red currants, blackberries, and blue fruit, with a touch of espresso and a floral edge create the perfume. The wine is rich, soft, fresh, elegant and medium-bodied, finish with layers of creamy fruits with a cocoa edge to the endnote in the finish. Drink from 2027-2050. 92-94 Pts
2022 Desmirail – Margaux – Medium-bodied, silky, soft, and fresh, with layers of sweet, and savory fruits, refined textures, and elegance in the discreet finish. Drink from 2024-2040. 91-93 Pts
2022 Deyrem Valentin – Margaux – Flowers, currants, tobacco and cherry nuances open the nose. The wine is medium-bodied, forward, fresh, elegant, and soft. The fruits are fresh, vibrant, and long, with a creamy edge in the finish. Drink from 2025-2042. 89-91 Pts
2022 Ferriere – Margaux – Flowers, cocoa, cherries and plum aromatics open the nose. On the palate, the wine is medium-bodied, fresh, bright, crisp and spicy. The finish delivers peppery red fruits, soft-textured plums and savory red pit fruits with a fresh, spearmint note in the finish. The wine blends 67% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot and 1% Cabernet Franc. 13.7% ABV, 3.64 pH. Drink from 2026-2042. Drink from 2027-2047. 92-94 Pts
2022 Giscours – Margaux – Violets, roses and lilies merge with its array of spices, black cherries, black plums and black raspberries on the nose. Silky, fresh, and focused on its tannins. The wine focuses on its structure, balance, and refinement. Supple, and creamy, the finish displays its richness, ripe, deep fruits and energy in every lingering sip. The wine is a blend of 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petit Verdot, 13.6% ABV, pH 3.75. Harvesting took place September 1 to September 29. Yields were 27 hectoliters per hectare. Drink from 2027-2055. 95-97 Pts
2022 dIssan – Margaux – Violets, black cherries, blueberries, blackberries, cocoa, cedar, and cigar box fill the aromatics. On the palate, the wine is lively, creamy, deep, long, and most importantly pure. The tannins are silky, and even with all this ripeness, and concentration, the wine remains fresh, vibrant, long and sensuous. This is undoubtedly the finest vintage of d’Issan ever produced! The wine is made from a blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc, 2% Malbec and 1% Petit Verdot. 14.64% ABV, 3.67 pH. This is the only the third vintage to include 5 Bordeaux varietals in the blend. Picking took place September 15 – September 28. Yields were 30 hectoliters per hectare. Drink from 2027-2055. 95-97 Pts
2022 d’Issan Blason d’Issan – Margaux – Roses and red fruits combine in the perfume, while soft, silky, red, and black, creamy fruits combine on the palate and in the elegant, sweet, cherry-packed finish. Give this a year to soften, and it will be perfect for near term drinking while waiting for the Grand Vin to develop. The wine blends 55% Merlot, 44% Cabernet Sauvignon and 1% Petit Verdot. Drink from 2025-2035. 89-91 Pts
2022 Kirwan – Margaux – Flowers, currants, spice, and espresso form the core of this medium-bodied, fresh, currant-filled fine. The touch of spice at the end adds a nice fresh note in the finish. Drink from 2026-2045. 90-92 Pts
2022 La Gurgue – Margaux – Spices, flowers, and crisp plum aromatics open the wine. On the palate, the wine is medium-bodied, bright and chewy, with a crunchy, red berry and peppery spice oriented finish. The wine is aged in 20% new, French oak, concrete eggs and foudres. The wine blends 53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot and 17% Petit Verdot. Drink from 2025-2037. 89-91 Pts
2022 La Tour de Mons – Margaux – Flowers, wet earth, black cherries, and licorice show in the nose. On the palate, the wine is round, fresh, juicy, and fruity. The vibrant finish leaves you with black cherries, cocoa, spearmint, and licorice on the back end. The wine blends 57% Merlot, 36% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Cabernet Franc. 14.5% ABV, 3.6 pH. Drink from 2025-2042. 91-93 Pts
2022 Labegorce – Margaux – On the nose you find flowers, cherries, blackberries. and plums. The palate is packed with sweet, ripe, red fruits, silky textures, depth of flavor, and most importantly, lift with energy in the finish. The wine blends 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot. 14% ABV, pH 3.6. The harvest took place September 12 – October 5. Drink from 2025-2050. 93-95 Pts
2022 Lascombes – Margaux – Deep in color, the wine is lush, concentrated, polished, full-bodied, and packed with toasty oak, black currants, blackberries, black cherries, espresso and cocoa. This is incredibly creamy, but it is also quite oaky, so it is not for the oak averse. If you let it age it a bit, the oak could become better integrated into the wine. Drink from 2027-2050. 92-94 Pts
2022 Le Coteau – Margaux – Loads of black and red fruits, supple, creamy textures, and soft, ripe, tannins create this super value wine from the Margaux appellation. Drink from 2025-2035. 90-92 Pts
2022 Le Coteau Pelopee – Margaux – The top end wine from Le Coteau is a new cuvee made from a small, .6 hectare parcel of the estates oldest vines that are close to 100 years of age. The wine is concentrated, rich and supple, with black fruits, silky tannins, length, richness and freshness. Drink from 2025-2042. 91-93 Pts
2022 Malescot St. Exupery – Margaux – Black, blue and red fruits, tobacco leaf, flowers, and coffee bean, with a hint of cocoa create the nose. Lively red and black fruits, with hints of chocolate show in the round, full-bodied, deep wine. The lengthy finish is all about its layers of sweet, ripe, dark red berries, energy and chocolately, espresso in the mid-palate and end notes. The wine is a blend of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot, and 5% Petit Verdot. 14.5% ABV, 3.65. Harvesting took place September 19 – October 5. Yields were 30 hectoliters per hectare. Drink from 2027-2050. 93-95 Pts
2022 Margaux – Margaux – The bushel of red and black fruits initially get your attention before discovering all the violets, white flowers, cedar, and cigar box aromas in the perfume. On the palate, the wine is silky, sensuous, rich, and almost viscous. The fruit comes in layers, and does not stop building in intensity. The wine is poised between weight and lift, with an energetic finish delivering a powerful wall of cashmere-textured, red and black fruits that hold your focus for at least 60 seconds. This is a unique style for Chateau Margaux that is difficult to compare with previous vintages due to its levels of alcohol and concentration. But I love it! The wine blends 92% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Merlot, and 2% Cabernet Franc. All the Petit Verdot was placed into Pavillon Rouge. 14.6% ABV, is the highest ABV in the history of the estate. 3.61 pH. Yields were barely 25 hectoliters per hectare. The Grand Vin was produced using only 40% of the harvest. Picking took place September 8 – September 28, making this one of the earliest starts to a vintage in the history of the estate. Drink from 2030-2065. 98-100 Pts
2022 Chateau Margaux Pavillon Rouge du Chateau Margaux – Margaux – Opening with its bouquet of flowers, it is impossible not to notice the spicy red and black fruits in the nose and on the palate. Concentrated, elegant and fresh, with vibrancy, and creaminess in the textures on the palate. The finish shows intensity and lift in the black raspberries, cherries and red plums with a touch of pepper and paprika on the back end of the finish. The wine was made from blending 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot, 7% Petit Verdot and 5% Cabernet Franc, 14.8% ABV. Drink from 2025-2040. -95 Pts
2022 Margaux Pavillon Blanc du Chateau Margaux – Bordeaux – Lemon chiffon, lawn grass, pears, vanilla, white peach, and tangerine skin nuances form the core of this wine. The wine is forward, sweet, creamy, and pure, with a buttery accent on the long, fruit-packed, fresh, vibrant backend. The wine will be a pleasure to enjoy on release and over the following decade or longer. The wine is produced from 100% Sauvignon Blanc.13.4% ABV. 3.18 pH. Yields were only 14 hectoliters per hectare, so not much of this wine was made. If you are a fan, act quickly. This is the white wine of the vintage! Drink from 2024-2037. 97-97 Pts
2022 Margaux du Chateau Malleret – Margaux – Flowers, citrus, red fruits, soft, silky textures, sweetness and an approachable, early-drinking character make this a nice value from the Margaux appellation. Drink from 2025-2037. 89-91 Pts
2022 Marojallia Clos Margalaine – Margaux – Black raspberries, cherries, and flowers form the core of this wine. Soft, creamy, fresh red fruits, with touches of licorice, spice, and vanilla-edged blackberries are on the palate and in the finish. The wine blends 60% Merlot with 40% Cabernet Sauvignon. Drink from 2026-2042. 89-91 Pts
2022 Marquis dAlesme – Margaux – Deep in color, with just a bit of swirling you find flowers, mint-leaves, black currants, plums, and cherry aromatics. On the palate, the wine is silky, creamy, and fresh. The fruits are sweet, energetic, and long. There is purity in the berries, length and elegance. The fruit produces an impact on the palate that lingers, building in intensity in the finish. The end notes get even better as you find a touch of peppery spice, mint, and chocolate-covered plums. The wine blends 63% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot and 2% Cabernet Franc. 14% ABV. 3.65 pH. The harvest took place September 15 – October 4. Yields were only 22 hectoliters per hectare. Drink from 2026-2055. 94-96 Pts
2022 Marquis de Terme – Margaux – Lusciously-textured, supple, creamy, full-bodied, and deep, the fruits and long, silky and vibrant, leaving you with layers of ripe, black, and deep red, sweet, fresh, elegant berries. Drink from 2026-2050. 93-95 Pts
2022 Monbrison – Margaux – Flowers, tobacco leaf and currants work together in the nose, and on the fresh, soft, silky, medium-bodied palate. The sweet fruit theme carries on through to the finish. Drink from 2025-2038. 89-90 Pts
2022 Palmer – Margaux – With a dark, radiating purple, black hue, the wine explodes from the glass with its bouquet of lilacs, violets, roses, white flowers, cinnamon, and clove perfume. The wine is pure silk in texture, blending its salty, minerality with sweetness in the black and red fruits. But here, it its the texture, length, and purity in the fruits that stand out. The elegant, sensuous finish moves from red to black to red, with a refreshing mint note that holds your focus for over 50 seconds. The wine blends 51% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Merlot and 4% Petit Verdot. 14.4% ABV, 3.79 Ph. The harvest took place September 7 – October 5, making this one of the longer harvests at Palmer. Yields are a scant 22 hectoliters per hectare. Drink from 2027-2065. 97-99 Pts
2022 Palmer Alter Ego dePalmer – Margaux – Roses, violets, black currants, all spice, currants, and black cherries crowd into the perfume. On the palate, the medium-bodied wine is silky, sensuous, polished, and refined. The fruits are ripe, vibrant, sweet, and fresh. The red pit fruit finish, with its cocoa accent, and refined character is all about its purity and textural profile. The wine is a blend of 51% Merlot, 43% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 6% Petit Verdot. 14.2% ABV, 3.73 pH. Drink from 2025-2042. 93-95 Pts
2022 Paveil de Luze – Margaux – Medium-bodied, soft, elegant, polished, forward and plummy, the wine is medium-bodied, silky and vibrant, with black cherries, licorice and cocoa on the backend of the finish. Drink from 2025-2040. 90-92 Pts
2022 Prieure-Lichine – Margaux – Flowers, blackberries, currants, espresso, and plums with a touch of cocoa form the nose. On the palate, the wine is loaded with lusciously-textured, ripe, polished fruits. There is a solid depth of flavor, good energy, and layers of black and red fruits on the mid-palate and in the creamy, fruit-packed finish. Drink from 2027-2055. 94-96 Pts
2022 Rauzan-Gassies – Margaux – Flowers, black raspberries, currants, spice, and licorice create the aromatic profile. On the palate, the wine is medium-bodied, soft, supple, and forward, finishing with black currants, cherries, touches of spice, and savory herbs on the backend of the chalky finish. Drink from 2026-2040. 91-93 Pts
2022 Rauzan Segla – Margaux – Dark in color, the array of floral notes shoot out with violets, lilacs, and roses. From there you find truffle, red and black fruits, cigar box and cedar also come through in the nose. While the perfume is catchy, it is on the palate where the wine takes off. Texturally, the wine is drenched in velvet. There is intensity, richness, and concentration, as well as weightlessness on the palate. With this wine, the seamless finish must be felt, as well as tasted. The wine is a blend of 72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26% Merlot. This marks the highest percentage of Cabernet in the blend and with 17% press wine in the blend, it is the highest portion of press wine as well. 14.5% ABV, 3.7 pH. The harvest took place September 2 – September 28. This is the earliest start to a harvest for Rauzan Segla. Yields were 30 hectoliters per hectare. The Grand Vin was produced from 50% of the harvest. Drink from 2027-2065. 96-98 Pts
2022 Segla – Margaux – The nose is discreet at the moment, though with coaxing you find violets, black cherries, hints of licorice and a touch of smoke in the nose. The wine is medium-bodied, soft, silky, polished, elegant, and fresh, with a creamy, dark pit-fruit finish. The wine blends 58% Merlot, and 42% Cabernet Sauvignon. 14.5% ABV. Drink from 2025-2038. 91-93 Pts
2022 Siran – Margaux – Lilacs, black raspberries, smoke, tobacco leaf, and cherries load the perfume. On the palate, the wine delivers fresh, red pit fruits, espresso, chocolate. blackberries and a fun, peppery, spicy note in the finish. The wine blends 53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Merlot, 11% Petit Verdot and 1% Cabernet Franc. 14% ABV. Harvesting took place September 13 – September 30. Drink from 2026-2050. 92-94 Pts
2022 Du Tertre – Margaux – Flowers, espresso, black cherries, mint, cocoa and plums come through in the nose. On the palate, the wine is medium-bodied, supple and fresh. The fruits are ripe, creamy and sweet, with balancing acidity, elegance and refinement. Drink from 2026-2045. 92-94 Pts
Up next, we continue heading south as we taste all of the best 2022 Pessac Leognan red and white Bordeaux wine before wrapping up the Left Bank with the 2022 Haut Medoc, Listrac, Moulis Report followed by our move to the Right Bank for 2022 Pomerol and 2022 St. Emilion.
