Burgundy En-Primeur 2022

Following a couple of challenging vintages with limited volume available, 2022 comes as a breath of fresh air. Both reds and whites are showing beautifully and accessible in their youth while age-worthy at the same time. Prices also seem stable, a very good news taking into account the general inflation rate. Even better Burgundy wines were outperforming most major financial indicators including Gold at its latest peak in October 2022. This is a vintage not to be missed but what shall you go for? Take a look at our top recommended producers.

‘I cannot remember a Burgundy vintage that elicited so much joy from barrel’ - Neal Martin

'Fortunately for wine lovers, the news from Burgundy this year is overwhelmingly positive' - Decanter Magazine

‘Bountiful and Beautiful’ – Jasper Morris

2022 – The Growing Season

Winter and spring were quite mild. The risk of frost in April was present however, it was avoided in most areas, including Chablis hence decent volume available. The lack of water and the summer heatwaves were certainly the most noteworthy considerations during the 2022 vintage. Luckily, there was with enough rain in June to replenish the water levels and help the vines go through the dry summer. A storm at the end of August, a few days before the harvest, also brought water at the right moment. Overall, it was warm and sunny and the quality and maturity level of the grapes were exceptional.

2022 – The Wines

2022 is a great vintage for Burgundy lovers and all areas are showing well.

The whites, from Chablis to the Cote de Beaune, reflects the warm weather with ripe fruits, average alcohol levels and great freshness even though there is less acidity than previous vintages. Vineyards higher on the slopes are showing the best results and include Chevalier, Corton Charlemagne and Corton. Smaller appellation such as St Aubin and Pernand Vergelesses are once again delivering wines of great quality while keeping the price on the lower side.

The reds are seductive with ripe red berry flavours and silky tannins and a lot of potential for the next decade. For the reds, the Cote de Nuits is performing slightly better than the Cote de Beaune because the vines suffered less from the drought, however there are some really good Beaune to be found. A special mention for Clos des Fèves from Domaine Chanson which achieved Jasper Morris MW’s 5 Stars badge of honour, ‘An outstanding wine in its category'. Small appellations from the south of Beaune and the Cote Chalonnaise are showing very well, offer great value and are the one to watch. Keep an eye for Savigny les Beaunes.

Our Top Burgundy Producers

Small size estates and many producers within an appellation mean Burgundy wines can be expensive however it is still possible to get your hands on some high-quality Burgundy, without spending a fortune. We have selected our favourites for this outstanding vintage.

Domaine Chanson

This small estate has done extremely well this year. Their Beaune Clos des Fèves has achieved Jasper Morris MW’s 5 Stars badge of honour, ‘An outstanding wine in its category’, an accolade very rarely given (less than 10% of wines tasted across the year received it). They farm organically, harvest all grapes and vinify all wines, both for their estate holdings and contracted vineyards. All wines are fermented using 50% of the whole cluster to enhance the structure and the complexity of the wines. The philosophy is to bring fruity, fresh characteristics to the wine that shows not only when young, but more importantly with 5 to 10 years’ ageing. Chanson aims for their wines to appeal at every stage of their life. Browse Domaine Chanson Selection.

Domaine Faiveley

Dating back to 1825 Faiveley is one of the most famous domaine in Burgundy. With vineyards in both the Cote de Beaune and the Cote de Nuits, they have several teams of dedicated vine growers working for them. Many of their wines are hand bottled with no filtration making opulent, rich and concentrated Pinot Noirs. They make true Burgundian classic from both prestiogious and lesser known appellation which can be offer great value. Browse Domaine Faiveley Selection.

Domaine Olivier Leflaive

Olivier is Anne-Claude Leflaive cousin who runs the Burgundian legendary estate Domaine Leflaive. After working with Anne-Claude for a few years, Olivier set up his own estate in 1994 and now owns 15 hectares across Puligny, Chassagne and Meursault. Collectors can welcome the value and quality of his Premier Cru from under rated appellation Saint Aubin which is known for its purity and elegance. His straight Puligny ranks amongst the top 10 wines in the region and available for less than £400 IB for a case of six. This is quiet an achievement. Browse Olivier Leflaive Selection.

Domaine Antonin Guyon

This small estate produces an exceptional range of organic Premier and Grands Crus which are listed in some of the most renowned restaurant wine lists across the world. Their wines have received great revues from Robert Parker and merit serious attention. It is hard to believe it is still flying somewhat under the radar. Their Corton Charlemagne is particularly outstanding. Browse Antonin Guyon Selection.

Domaine Anne Francoise Gros

They make wines at Village, 1er and Grand Cru level from the Cote de Beaune and Cote de Nuits. The wines have had their fair share of fame with Francois being regarded as one of the leading winemakers in Pommard. Their Savigny les Beaunes 1er Cru Clos des Guettes, the most sought-after 1er cru in the Village, is particularly impressive. Browse Domaine Anne Francoise Gros Selection.