Vintages Bordeaux Flashcards
(32 cards)
How is the 2022 vintage looking in Bordeaux?
Heat and drought, but healthy harvest conditions En Primeur looks good
How was 2021 in Bordeaux?
Light wines - Cool, Damp needed sorting and some chaptalization
What was 2020 like in Bordeaux?
Hot, dry - very ripe and high tannin
How were 2019 and 2018 in Bordeaux?
2019 - EXCELLENT - good freshness
2018 - EXCELLENT - rain and hail to start but then a warm year, rich and intense wines
How was 2017 in Bordeaux?
Frost and Rain, early-drinking
Good years in the 2020’s for Sauternes?
2022 - Looks good - autumn rain and good yields
2021 - High quality, low quantity (major HAIL damage)
How were 2020, 2019 and 2018 in Sauternes?
2020 - Not much botrytis (smattering), dry
2019 - Selection needed - some rot issues. One wave of botrytis, good but simple, dry wine year
2018 - MILDEW and HAIL - simple, dry, not much botrytis
How were 2017 and 2016 for Sauternes?
2017 - FROST - low yields - dry year with fast botrytis infection, some great wines
2016 - LARGE YIELDS - late botrytis, not complex
What are the best Sauternes vintages from 2010-2015
2015 - very good, fresh pure
2014 - EXCELLENT Indian summer with botrytis
2013 - EXCELLENT, racy and fresh
2011 - AMAZING - widespread botrytis with cool conditions
2010 - Elegant, fresh, age worthy
What is the worst Sauternes vintage of recent years?
2012 - gray rot but no botrytis
no wines from Yquem, Rieussec, Suiduiraut, Raymond Lafon
What are the worst Bordeaux vintages of the past 20 years?
2017 - Frost and Rain, early-drinking
2013 - Storms, dilution
2012 - Wet, early - drink young
2011 - Unbalanced tannins, low alcohol
2007 - Mildew, mold, rain
2002 - thin, green streaks, firm tannins
What are the best Bordeaux vintages of the past 20 years?
2019 - EXCELLENT - good freshness
2018 - EXCELLENT - rich and intense
2016 - EXCELLENT quality and quantity
2010 - RIPE, Powerful
2009 - LUSH, polished
2008 - great for classicists
2005 - POWER and longevity
What years favored the Right Bank in the 2000s and the 90s?
2015
2012
2001
1998
1995
1994
Cool, Classic years of the 2000’s?
2008 - Classic, saving Indian Summer
2006 - Crisp, some wines hollow
2004 - cool, classic, light-bodied
2001 - wet September, fairly classic
What are the worst vintages of the 1990’s?
1999 - heat and rain, dilution
1998 - rain on LB
*1997 - Early drinking
*1993 - wet, underripe
*1992 - no sun, wet
*1991 - lean, green, some surprises
*worst
What are the best vintages of the 90’s?
2000 - Racy, delineated
1995 - rich, structured, tannic
1990 - EXCELLENT, ripe, lush
What are midweight vintages of the 90’s?
1996 - strong tannins, rain at harvest (less rain for the Left Bank and Cab more resilient)
1994 - September rains, some wines lean
What are the worst vintages of the 80’s?
1987 - Early drinking
1984 - Hurricane Hortense
1981 - Thin, spent
1980 - Never good
What are the best vintages of the 80’s?
1989 - EXCEPTIONAL
1983 - classic, great Margaux
1982 - OUTSTANDING, fleshy
What are some stern and austere vintages in Bordeaux?
2004
2002
1994
1988
1986 - Dense, brooding and tannic
1983
1978
What are some early drinking Bordeaux vintages?
2014
2012
2011
2007
1999
1997
1987
1985 - Charming and soft, losing steam
1981
1979
Best historical vintages for Bordeaux?
1978
1964
1959
1953
1950
1947
1929
1928
What are the best Sauternes vintages of the 2000’s?
2009 - AMAZING - rich and concentrated
2001 - OUTSTANDING
What are the worst Sauternes vintages of the 2000’s?
2004 - light wines, gray rot
2002 - delicate, early drinking
2000 - rain, early drinking
