O n September 27, 2025, BC LIQUOR will celebrate the 40th anniversary of the annual Bordeaux Release. Since 1985, the event has evolved to become a key marker on the calendar, uniting many departments in BCL in order to bring the latest vintage to our customers. We are excited this year as the new vintage, 2022, is an excellent one with ripeness, finesse and “sense of place”. Bordeaux collectors and enthusiasts among you will remember that vintage 1982, the one featured in the first Release, was one of the greatest of all time in the region. We are thrilled to have been able to source a selection of ’82s this year to complement our offering. As in all wine regions around the world, annual weather conditions in Bordeaux are less predictable than ever. While rain and spring frost were factors in 2021, 2022 adhered more to the overall trend of hotter and drier. As the grapes matured under very warm conditions, Châteaux worried about water stress in the vineyard and its effect on the resulting wines. Would flavours be overripe and lacking the precision that is necessary for top quality; would the sugar ripeness be achieved too quickly, not giving time for the tannins to mature? The results are both unexpected and extraordinary. The vines have shown a amazing ability to adapt to conditions, regulating their own growth and ripening. Could this be the result of the climate changing and nature doing her best to adapt? We don’t know for sure, but the wines from 2022 are delicious. They have the expected concentration and power but are balanced by surprising freshness. Many reds will offer pleasure in the short term but will really come into their own with some time in the cellar. Moreover, the wines express their terroir, or the particular characteristics of the sites where the grapes were grown; a key factor in making Bordeaux the renowned region it is. Top international journalists have shown their enthusiasm for 2022 by assigning some excellent ratings to the wines. Amongst major publications like Wine Advocate (WA) Wine Spectator (WS), Decanter and Vinous , there are several wines in the high 90s and even some 100 points wines. Because of BCL’s long standing relationships with Bordeaux producers and négociants , we have been able to secure some very special bottles including Châteaux Montrose (100 pts WA and Vinous ),
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