Sarah Marsh MW continues her extensive coverage of the 2022 Burgundy vintage with a detailed report on a successful year in Chablis, where “gorgeous fruit” combines beautifully with freshness in wines that have “a spring in their step.”
2022 Burgundy: Harmony born of an easy season
2022 Burgundy: A guide to the villages and vineyards
I arrived in Chablis to taste the 2022 vintage in June 2023, anticipating a rich and heavy style, but was very pleasantly surprised by wines that are generally lighter, fresher, and more energetic than expected. The effect of a hot and dry summer is less evident than in 2019 or 2020. The profile is deliciously ripe and fruity—from white peach, to ripe apricot—but juicy and lively as well.
The warmth of the summer shows in the texture—from silk, to satin—which is refined and not cloying. 2022 Chablis has a spring in its step. The alcohol is moderate, at around 12.5%, and consequently this is a medium-bodied vintage, lighter and more digeste than recent hot vintages. They taste fresh—crisper than the analysis would suggest. The balance and intensity are there. It was crucial to harvest early, as the acidity was not high. The style could have been rich and heavy, but harvesting from the end of August preserved the purity and expression of terroir.
Altogether, 2022 is a delightful vintage in Chablis. Moreover, it will lend it itself to early drinking or to aging. The gorgeous fruit and the freshness, which sits harmoniously on the
This Article was originally published on World of Fine Wine
