Founded in 1973, the Union des Grands Crus de Bordeaux (UGCB) represents over 130 of Bordeaux’s most prestigious wine estates. With members hailing from iconic appellations
such as Margaux, Pauillac, Saint-Émilion, Pomerol, and Graves, the UGCB
embodies the rich history, terroir, and craftsmanship that define
Bordeaux’s globally celebrated wines.
This January, the UGCB hosted a five-city U.S. tasting tour,
offering beverage professionals a first look at the exceptional 2022
vintage. Éach event provides attendees the rare opportunity to connect
directly with over 80 chateaux owners and winemakers, hear their
stories, and taste their wines firsthand. These events were were for trade
professionals only.
Tour Schedule:
- Miami – Thursday, January 16th at The Hangar.
- New York – Monday, January 20th at Cipriani 42nd Street.
- Chicago – Tuesday, January 21st at The Drake Hotel.
- San Francisco – Thursday, January 23rd at City View @ Metreon.
- Los Angeles – Friday, January 24th at Vibiana.
About Union des Grands Crus de Bordeaux (UGCB)
The
primary mission… From Tokyo to Montreal, passing through New York,
London, and Paris, the Union members pursue their main objective, in
collaboration with distributors, brokers, and merchants: to meet nearly
40,000 professionals and enthusiasts worldwide each year to present
their latest vintages. Thus, driven by the owners of Châteaux or their
estate directors, approximately 80 events and gatherings are held
annually in about fifteen countries: France, of course, Europe (Germany,
Great Britain, Belgium, Switzerland, the Netherlands), the Americas
(United States, Canada), and Asia (Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong,
Taiwan, Singapore). It appears that the Union has often been a pioneer
in opening pathways to these markets, particularly in Asia.
Riesling and Bordeaux
In preparation of the forthcoming Bordeaux Tour by ombiasy, Annette and I were very happy to be able to participate in the New York event, which took place 2 says afters the 2025 Rieslingfeier.
See:
2025
Rieslingfeier Gala Dinner in New York City, Sky Loft, 32nd Floor of 50
Hudson Yard, with 15 #worldclass Winemakers from Germany + Austria and Estimated 300
Wines, many 20, 30, 40 Years old, many Larger Format and almost all
Ultra-premium
Vintage 2022/ Annette Schiller
I just came back from NYC where I caught the
tasting of the Union des Grands Crus Bordeaux road show through Canada
and the US showing the current release vintage.
The
current release is vintage 2022 and I was blown away: the BEST I have
ever tasted across all appellations. Saint-Estèphe and Pessac-Leognan
were still a tiny bit tannic but overall: unbelievably gorgeous wines
which applies to the reds as well as to the whites. Count Neipperg,
owner of Canon-La Gaffelliére in Saint-Émilion said: "a once in a
lifetime vintage - the best after the sensational 1959 vintage - so glad
I am alive to see this vintage.”
Luck has it
that I planned a wine tour to Bordeaux in 2025. From experience I know
that during my wine tours we will taste many older vintages but also
always the current release vintage, hence this gorgeous 2022 wines!
See: Invitation: Come
Along to Taste the "Once in a Century Bordeaux Vintage 2022"! Where? In
Bordeaux During a Fabulous ombiasy Wine Tour from May 20 - May 29, 2025
Vintage 2022/ Forbes (Tom Mullen)
Growing conditions in 2022 were typical for Bordeaux with regards to
unpredictability. A cool April was followed by dry days after July,
conducive to local wildfires. Yields were average or diminished with
relatively, small concentrated berries.
Vintage Bordeaux 2022 red wines are generally of a consistently
elevated quality, with soft, elegant tannins (not as spectacularly
creamy as some from the 2023 vintage), bright acidity (not as prominent
as the majority of wines from the 2021 vintage), with shining fruit
(although only a small percentage having the deep dark flavors of the
2018 vintage; and few with the brightness and energy from the sun
drenched 2015 vintage). The tannin/acidity combination provides aging
potential that may comparable to Bordeaux wines from vintages 2016, 2019
and 2020.
Many wines from this vintage
can be enjoyed now and will also still shine with quality and bright
acidity decades into the future.
NYC 20th January – Cipriani 42nd Street
UGCB Tasting
My Favorites
Château Coufran
Château Citran
Château de Camensac
Corianne Labourdette
Responsable des ventes
Château Chasse-Spleen
Château Poujeaux
Christophe Labenne
Director
Château Maucaillou
Château Fourcas Dupré and Château d'Agassac
Lucas Leclercq
Winemaker and General Manager
Formerly Château Lafon Rochet
Château Gazin
Elise de Bailliencourt - Fournier
Co-owner, Manager
Château Le Gay
Henri Junior Parent, Owner
Château Clinet
Ronan Laborde, Owner
UGCB President
Château Canon la Gaffelière
Count Stephan von Neipperg
Château Beau-Séjour Bécot
Julien Barthe (General Manager)
Château Brane-Cantenac
Vincent Lurton
Bodegas Henri Lurton, Mexico
Château Phélan Ségur
Château Lynch-Bages
Kinou Cazes-Hachemian
New York
Château Léoville Poyferré
Sara Lecompte Cuvelier
Château Léoville Barton
Château Bouscaut
Armand Cogombles
Château Carbonnieux
Marc Perrin, Owner
Domaine de Chevalier
Hugo Bernard
Château La Louvière
Mathilde de Caix Lurton
Château Guiraud
Caroline Bernard
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