We are delighted to offer the 2022 En Primeur release from one of our favorite St. Julien estates, Château Gruaud Larose. The esteemed 2nd Growth consistently produces one of the best wines in the appellation and occasionally they make a wine that challenges the very best, and of all the wines of the Left Bank, Gruaud Larose must surely be towards the top of anyone's list. Between us and our colleagues across the pond, we have been very fortunate to taste most of the great vintages dating back to the late 1800s (!) and the aging capability of the wine is simply mind boggling. Even in the “off" vintages, the wine can shine - the property clearly has some very special terroir. The 2022 is the 3rd vintage to come with special soft wax capsules (designed not to crumble on opening!) which not only add aesthetic appeal, but are also said to preserve the cork better than the traditional foil. Also, the two stalks on the label are indeed for the first organic year, and also because the winemaker did have a baby! The 2022 showed extremely well when we tasted it in April, and it is indeed a cracking vintage.
Third Growth estate Chateau d'Issan is one of Margaux' truly astonishing values. The Chateau itself looks somewhat like a movie set - an ancient fortress complete with moat; the interior decorated with walls of hunting trophies that inspire feelings somewhere between awe and horror. At the end of the day, however, it's about the wine. Superb, stylish Margaux made in a classic style, and the 2022 continues that trend.
Château Clinet is a small Pomerol property that has leapt to prominence in the last 30 years and now produces one of the most sought-after wines in the region. The 9-hectare vineyard is on top of one of the finest plateaux in Pomerol and is planted with Merlot (80%), Cabernet Sauvignon (10%) and Cabernet Franc (10%).
An under-the-radar Pomerol rising star, Chateau Feytit Clinet is a small estate that was taken over by oenologist Jeremy Chasseuil in 2000 and, with only 1200-1500 cases produced each year, has become a much sought after wine to those in the know. The vineyard sits on on gravel, clay and sand soils and is planted with about 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc with an average age of about 35 years. Strict sorting and selection takes place at harvest and vinification takes place in a combination of concrete and stainless steel before moving to 70-80% new French oak for aging around 18 months. Compared to its more well-known neighbors in Pomerol that can fetch eye-watering prices, the 96-98 point 2022 represents outstanding value - at least for now, before more Right Bank enthusiasts catch on...don’t miss it!
Don't miss this opportunity to secure your stock at the opening prices.
Our 2022 Bordeaux Vintage Report is now available, and as always, our 2022 Futures Landing Page is updated with the new releases each day, and includes our Wines of the Vintage, Standout Mid-Range Wines, Over-Achievers and Value Drinkers. We'll continue sending offers on the most compelling wines as they are released...stay tuned!
"2022 is certainly the greatest overall vintage I have ever tasted." - Andy Lench of Bordeaux Wine Locators on his 37th vintage tasted en primeur.
"This is the 40th year I have tasted barrel samples in Bordeaux, but I have never come across anything like the 2022 vintage. It was one of the hottest and driest growing seasons in the history of France’s most famous wine region, yet it produced thousands of opulent and structured but still fresh and balanced wines. They are exciting...it was a joyous and fascinating experience to taste so many special wines. And there was high quality from top to bottom. The 2022 vintage really is something unique." - James Suckling
2022 Gruaud Larose (Saint Julien)
GVWM Standout Mid-Range Wine & Over-Achiever
97 DE / 95-97 VM / 96 JA / 94-96+ WA / 94-96 WI
The progress at this estate continues with the terrific 2022 Gruaud Larose, a blend of 83% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Merlot and 3% Cabernet Franc that unfurls in the glass with deep aromas of minty blackberries, violets and pencil shavings. Medium to full-bodied, deep and layered, it's elegantly muscular, with a broad attack that segues into a concentrated mid-palate framed by supple, powdery tannins. Richer and more brooding than its 2020 and 2019 counterparts, it confirms Gruaud's return to the Saint-Julien élite. Around one-third of the production made it into the grand vin this year, the château's first with organic certification. - William Kelley, Wine Advocate
$99.43 ea. 750ml | Future | BUY NOW
See our full list of Gruaud Larose >
2022 D'Issan (Margaux)
96-97 JS / 95-97+ JD / 95-97+ WI / 96 DE / 95-JA / 93-95 VM / 93-95 WA
Deep, heady, really quite seductive and aromatic on the nose, draws you in with bramble fruits, chocolate, exotic spices and perfumed floral nuances. Juicy and lively, pure and focussed, but such a vibrancy to this wine. Sweet and sour elements combine with really salty, chalky, powdery and quite filling tannins that give the nuance of flavour and texture. Bright yet serious, finessed yet layered. Lovely intensity of elements. On the more savoury side right now in terms of lingering flavour but there’s mouthwatering acidity giving the liveliness and sense of fun. I really like this, textured, upfront, forward, extremely drinkable and so approachable, but thrilling too. An exciting wine with great integration and finesse and still clear strength underneath. One of the most exciting wines this year. Stylish, potent and polished. I love it! A yield of 30hl/ha. Harvest 15 - 28 September. 1% PV planted in 1948, 12% press wine. 2% Malbet and 1% Petit Verdot complete the blend. Total acidity: 3.55. 50% new barrels. 3.67pH. - Georgina Hindle, Decanter
$72.49 ea. 750ml | Future | BUY NOW
See our full list of D'Issan >
2022 Clinet (Pomerol)
96-98 JD / 96 JA / 96 DE / 94-96+ WA / 94-96+ WI / 94-96 VM / 94-95 JS
Streamlined and sleek, silky smooth but also gorgeously textured, clean and clear with grip and interest. Less fleshy and chewy than some, more charming and elegant with tannins that have a weight in the mouth. There is clear power and concentration underneath the juicy acidity with a straight backbone and direct energy from start to finish. Appealing layers of salinity, blackcurrant fruit, creamy vanilla, cool cola touches and crushed stones on the finish. Feels well made and sophisticated. 3.74pH. A yield of 34hl/ha. Earliest harvest ever starting on 6 September for Merlot and 20 and 21 September for Cabernet Sauvignon. - Georgina Hindle, Decanter
$113.09 ea. 750ml | Future | BUY NOW
See our full list of Clinet >
2022 Feytit Clinet (Pomerol)
GVWM Over-Achiever
96-98 JD / 94-95 JS /92-94 WI / 92-94 VM
I continue to absolutely love the wines from Jeremy Chasseuil’s tiny estate located in the heart of Pomerol. His 2022 Château Feytit-Clinet checks in as 88% Merlot and 12% Cabernet Franc, pulled from 60% of the production, and it sports a dense purple hue to go with a decadent, powerful, full-bodied style in its darker currants, tobacco, chocolate, and graphite-driven aromas and flavors. The tannins are substantial yet ripe and integrated, and it has a great mid-palate and outstanding length. - Jeb Dunnuck
$71.79 ea. 750ml | Future | BUY NOW
See our full list of Feytit Clinet >
2% discount for orders placed with a wire or personal check.*
Please click here to send us your order via our contact page, or call 360.350.4896 and we will be glad to assist you. (*Minimum order of $1000 for domestic wire, or $5000 for international wire. No minimum for personal check. For wines eligible for 5% case/9L discounts, maximum discount is 5%.)
Interested in a wine not on our website, or in placing a non-committed pre-order for particular 2022 Bordeaux? Click here to send us your list and we will advise as soon as the wines are available.
BOTTLING CHARGES FOR OTHER FORMATS Please note: Most Chateaux will be able to bottle your orders in the below formats. Click here or call +360.350.4896 if you are interested in any of the following options and they are not listed on our website:
375 ML - 12 x 750ml price + $40.00 per case (min. order of 12 x 375ml)
1.5 L - 12 x 750ml price + $36 per case (min. order of 6 x 1.5L)
3.0 L - 4 x 750ml price + $70 each | 6.0 L - 8 x 750ml price + $110 each
9.0 L - 12 x 750ml price + $180 each | 12.0 L - 16 x 750ml price + $210 each
15.0 L - 24 x 750ml price + $275 each | 18.0 L - 20 x 750ml price + $325 each
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Grand Vin Wine Merchants · 2950 32nd Ave SW · Suite A · Tumwater, Washington 98512 · United States (360) 350-4896
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