The best St-Julien 2022 in bottle

Both St Julien’s proximity to the moderating effects of the Gironde river, and its homogenous gravel on clay and limestone soils, helped produce some stellar wines in 2022.

The wines really showcase the vintage’s ripe fruit with muscular frames alongside purity, clarity and striking vibrancy.

Scroll down for the top-rated St-Julien 2022 in bottle

Power play

The wines in general are slightly less soft and charming at this point than some other appellations with many still tightly knitted, firm and shy.

Indeed, for the top-scoring wines, I consistently noted the ‘power’, ‘muscles’, ‘grip’ or ‘strength on show’ in my tasting notes and commented on ‘ageing potential’ as opposed to immediate or soon drinkability.

However, if you’re looking for low alcohols in 2022 this is the place to come with all but two wines at 14% ABV or under.

Both Lagrange and Talbot’s grand vin clock in at 13.5% ABV and Talbot’s second wine Connteable is 13% ABV.

Upgrades galore

More than half the 22 St-Julien wines tasted scored 94-points or above with the top-scoring estate, Château Léoville Las Cases, upgraded from 98-points en primeur to 99 in bottle.

It’s extremely well crafted showcasing undeniable power with energy and focus. The estate has been renovating its winemaking cellar – joining the grape reception and barrel cellar – to allow the team to do more parcel by parcel, gravity-led vinifications.

Châteaux such as Ducru-Beaucaillou, Gruaud-Larose, Branaire-Ducru and Léoville Barton also shone, as did Lagrange and Léoville Poyferré.

In terms of relative value, Branaire looks like a top pick with 97-points at around €50 (£42) a bottle.

The estate is on the rise under the helm of owner François-Xavier Maroteaux and winemaker Jean-Dominique Videau and the prices have yet to climb to those of its fellow classified estates, which are at the upper end of €100.

Lagrange and Langoa Barton are also around the €50 mark.

For second wines, Pavillon de Léoville Poyferré is good buy at around €25 with succulence, juicy acidity, layers of complexity and a finessed feel.

All St-Julien 2022 in bottle scores

COMING SOON

Tasting notes for all 800 Bordeaux 2022s

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BORDEAUX 2022 IN BOTTLE SCORE TABLE: Top-scoring wines with 93 points or above

Individual appellation analysis and top-scoring wines

Pauillac 2022 | Margaux 2022 | St-Estèphe 2022 | Pomerol 2022 | Pessac-Léognan & Graves 2022 | St-Emilion 2022 | Cru Bourgeois 2022 | Dry and Sweet whites 2022 | Best value 2022

Top-rated St-Julien 2022 in bottle

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