🍷 NWR Weekly: NYC Hot Spots, California Pinot Shines, Experts Weigh In On 2022 Bordeaux

SURVEY SAYS…

As the results continue to roll in, most commentators seem to agree that 2022 was a very fine vintage for Bordeaux (our own critic is among the fans, though she has some thoughts). 

The whole story, however, isn’t quite that simple. We spoke with five experts who didn’t always see eye-to-eye on how smart consumers should approach this vintage:

• “Why would I put down my money now for wines I won’t receive until 2025 when I could buy 2016, 2019, 2020 or other vintages and take possession now?” asks Robbie Stevens of Liv-Ex. “Sure, there’s the perfect provenance angle, but I could go with ‘near perfect’ by buying from a merchant that stores professionally.”

• Adam Lapierre MW, COO of Vint, wonders, “Where is the value in 2022 En Primeur? The châteaux are in a tricky spot because they need to respect the prices of recent campaigns, but also have the challenge of many recent good vintages. They’re competing with themselves.”

• Others had fewer reservations. “Open your checkbook and dig deep for this vintage,” declares Eric Vogt, Grand Maître of The Commanderie de Bordeaux aux États-Unis. 

“ONE OF THE BEST VINTAGES IN RECENT MEMORY”

There’s a ton of great 2021 California Pinot out there right now. Senior Editor Virginie Boone tasted through some of the best and reports that you almost can't go wrong with this vintage. But it always helps to know what you’re doing. Have a look at her reviews, which include seven sensational bottles that score 96+ points.

SUB-$70 Stars

A 97-point Sonoma Coast Pinot, a 96-point Sauternes, and a 95-point Pauillac. Each under $70. Maybe a bit rich to be considered true deals, but holy cow are these good.

HOW’S THAT CDP DRINKING?

Vintage charts can be helpful, but they’re blunt instruments. So we’ve decided to go a bit deeper. 

This week marks the beginning of our recurring How It’s Drinking feature, which asks a handful of deeply knowledgeable people to weigh in on a particular vintage and region to understand more accurately how the wines are evolving over time. Today, we take a look at 2005 Châteauneuf-du-Pape, which is beginning to reward the patient among us. 

Our subscribers-only chat forums are coming soon, which means we’ll have lots more commentary from editors, experts and collectors on when to drink your best wines. If you’d like to be one of the first to have access to this amazing resource, subscribe now!

WHAT THEY’RE DRINKING IN THE EAST VILLAGE

Manhattan’s East Village contains multitudes. Quite literally: the artsy, rowdy, romantic, defiantly gritty neighborhood holds a population the size of a small city. All packed inside less than one square mile. The sheer range of eating and drinking experiences possible in the East Village is exhilarating. We spoke to some of the most important conductors of the neighborhood’s electricity—including the people behind Foul Witch, Claud, Hearth, Ruffian and Momofuku Ko—to understand what the East Village is drinking right now. 

SWEETNESS

Our Bordeaux En Primeur coverage rolls on, with 37 sweet wines from Sauternes and Barsac rated and reviewed. “It took nerves of steel to make great Sauternes and Barsac in 2022,” says Senior Editor Christy Canterbury MW. And a few producers actually did.

SHOULD BOURBON SNOBS AVOID CHILL-FILTERED WHISKIES?

Whiskey Editor Susannah Skiver Barton says . . . maybe. This week she provides a useful look at chill filtration and why it’s so controversial among bourbon connoisseurs. While you’re at it, here are two non-chill-filtered bourbons she rates 96 points: one for $230, the other for just $65. 

WHAT WE’RE DRINKING AND LIKING RIGHT NOW

🙈One of our Merlot-averse editors is halfway through a 2008 Maison Carles Château Coudert Saint-Émilion Grand Cru that’s admittedly pretty, pretty, pretty good

🇦🇷 Virginie had a wine she didn’t even know existed—a 2022 White Malbec from Artesano de Argento Agrelo Vineyard—that has the texture of a red but the refreshing qualities of a white

🏜️   Christy chilled out with a grapefruit, habañero-infused Margarita de Toronja Picante in the leafy backyard of Brooklyn’s Gran Electrica

👼   Becca is drinking Whispering Angel Rosé while gossiping with friends and is not sorry

🍣   Gray is way into his complex, high-acid 2022 Antxiola Txakolina Blanco that goes beautifully with sushi and edamame

VALUES, BARGAINS AND FINDS*

• A super smooth, super fragrant California Syrah for $25

• A summer-in-a-bottle Friulian rosé-orange wine crossover for $15

• A 30-year-old(!) independently bottled(!) scotch for $140(!)

• An old-vine Sonoma Zin overflowing with flavor for $23

*NWR is not compensated for the links in this section

AROUND THE WINE (AND WHISKEY) WORLD

🎾  An umpire paused a match to scold the crowd for popping Champagne bottles during play at Wimbledon. Hard to take sides on this one.

🤳 “Tik Tok’s big sister,” Tinx, holds forth on her Napa Valley picks. 

📉   Is the red-hot fine wine investment market cooling, or just taking a break?

Thanks for reading! See you next week.

Santé!

The NWR Editors

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