The 2022 vintage:The 2021-2022 winter was long and, compared to most of the recent years, relatively cold. Frosts were commonplace until the beginning of April so probably because of that, budburst - in the second half of April - was relatively late. At this time, the domaines were already noting a lack of rain in the vineyards. May was a warm and dry one: 50% less rainfall than normal plus more sunshine than usual - it was the warmest May on record since 1959. The vines grew quickly and flowering took place in ideal, if early, conditions. Despite the dryness of May, there was sufficient rain in June to avoid issues with the vines even if the quantity of rainfall remained much below the average. It was in July that (not just!) the Beaujolais saw successive waves of hot weather - again lacking rain - it was the driest July for 33 years with 8mm of rain instead of an average of 68mm! This meant that the sanitary conditions of the vines couldn't have been better. The harvest was very early - from the middle of August! The hot weather had reduced the amount of malic acid in the grapes but concentrated the amount of tartaric acid. Despite a little more rain in the area of Beaujolais Villages, the wines were concentrated and volumes were modest, so unlike in 2020, it was rarely possible for domaines to 'take advantage' of the volumes on offer - so there is a consistency in the concentration and ripeness in these 2022s. Many thanks to the team at Château du Moulin à Vent for some of their vintage insight. The best wines: I just hope that you have some chance to find such domaine wines. Last year my local (Swiss) coop had only one, which was bottled just for them - no producer info - and that was probably just as well because it was rubbish! Whilst there were few 'great wines' in the equivalent tasting of 2021s, last year, those that were, clearly stood out from the crowd. In 2022 it was more difficult because the average quality was very consistent and as high as I have seen it - in this respect it reminds me very much of the 2019 vintage. From 100 wines there was one that was corked - the second bottle was fine - and only one wine where I directly said 'NO!' - I wouldn't put this one in my mouth a second time! Any complaints? Actually, yes! Why so many heavy, statement, bottles? - 'Prestigious cuvées?' This is Beaujolais Nouveau for God's sake. WTF!? 4 Great wines: Dominique Piron: Beaujolais AND Beaujolais Villages Domaine de Colette, Natur’Elle de Colette, Villages Domaine des Nugues Villages 12 Excellent Wines - Beaujolais: Jean Yves Sonnery Anthony Charvet, Beaujo Beau JM Aujoux, La vie est belle Frédéric Berne Domaine Perthuizet, Gégé Trenel Château de L’Eclair Domaine des Prévellières Julien Bertrand Brossette Paul André et Fils Agamy, Domaine du Solémy 8 Excellent Wines - Beaujolais Villages: Château de Vaux De Vermont Yannick Vignobles Jambon, Pure Domaine Péchard Tano David Berougon Jean-Paul Dubost, Beaujolais Lantignié Domaine du Clos du Fief Château de Pougelon Jean Yves Sonnery, Cuvée Elégance Click on 'Read More...' below to see the full notes for 100 wines in the order that they were (blind) tasted:   Read More