Weather Report
A year of extremes
The 2022 season was a wild ride, marked forever by the fierce hailstorm on June 27 that put our vines to the ultimate test. Following this adversity, a historically warm summer pushed nature at full speed, with generous sunshine leading to an early harvest starting September 19th for our Merlot. Without irrigation, our 31-year-old vines had to struggle, sinking their roots deep into the clayey gravel soils to produce an exceptionally concentrated yield of only 15 hectolitres per hectare.
The drought conditions of 2022 forced the vines to rely solely on natural rainfall and deep soil resources. At Charmail, we view this lack of irrigation not as a limitation, but as a path to authenticity. This "struggle" concentrated the aromas and strengthened the wine's structure. Our technical director, Sébastien, noted that the medium clayey gravel acted as a vital reservoir during the peak heat of the summer.
The Style
VELVET VINTAGE
Defined by bold resilience, the 2022 vintage is bursting with ripe black fruits and delicate floral notes. The blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot offers a powerful yet refined structure with velvety tannins. It is a generous wine that stands proudly to showcase the signature freshness and elegance of our Saint-Seurin-de-Cadourne terroir.
To keep the wine tasting fresh and "silky," we were very gentle in the cellar. We let the grapes infuse slowly at low temperatures, almost like steeping a fine tea, to make sure we didn't lose any of those beautiful floral notes. It’s a sincere wine that fills the glass with aroma and heart.
Philosophy
"Ready to Drink"
We do things differently at Charmail. While most Bordeaux estates sell their wine before it’s even finished, we step away from that system. We take the responsibility of aging the wine ourselves at the estate for three years before we offer it to you. This means when you buy a bottle of Charmail 2022, you aren't guessing — you are getting a wine that is already fully developed and ready for your table today.
We age the wine in a mix of large wooden barrels and unique cement "eggs" to let it breathe and develop its personality. By holding onto the bottles until they are perfectly settled, we protect you from the unpredictable price jumps of the wine market. You get a fair price for a wine that has already done its "waiting" in our cellar instead of yours.
Discover the
Club
By signing up to our Club, you can order the 2022 vintage easily and explore our latest releases whenever you wish. There are no commitments or obligations — just simple access to our cellar!
