Bordeaux wine labels

Bordeaux Vintage Guide

Bordeaux came into the modern American consciousness in 1982 coinciding with the first national wine review periodicals. Ever since, vintages have been closely watched, as, unlike many parts of the New World, variation can be dramatic.

Variety selection in Bordeaux is based on both the soil type and mesoclimate of the three main regions: Left Bank, Right Bank, and the dessert wine regions of Sauternes and Barsac. Despite the proximity to one another, their soil structure and weather patterns are drastically different.

The Left Bank is dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon. This is primarily due to the rocky soil found in the area. Cabernet Sauvignon performs best in dryer areas, but is also late ripening. The rocky soil allows rain to easily drain off. These Chateau historically harvest after the September rainy season, or in very hot vintages, just before.

The Right bank, on the other hand, is dominated by both Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Both are early ripening, and can perform better with wet soils due to their loose bunches. These varieties were chosen because of the Right Bank’s soil composition of clay and alluvial sediment, both of which retain water. Merlot and Cabernet Franc are early ripening, so Chateau will time their harvest just before the late summer rains.

Sauternes and Barsac are historically considered to be the world’s foremost dessert wine regions. Semillon is king here, followed by Sauvignon Blanc. The wine is late harvest and affected by a fungus called botrytis cinerea, which punctures the grape skins and allows excess water to evaporate form the fruit. Botrytis cinerea, also known as noble rot, sets hold after the late summer rains and fog, which is typically followed by a few weeks of sunny and warm weather.

Below we discuss each vintage going back to 1982 for all three regions. Many of the older vintages are very limited and in high demand. Availability can rapidly fluctuate, so we recommend checking our pre-arrival offers often.

Bordeaux Vintages by Region

Benchmark vintage for northern Medoc. Below average for Margaux and Pessac Leognan
Best of Vintage: Latour, Mouton Rothschild, Pichon Lalande, Lafite Rothschild, Chateau Margaux

A bounce back for Margaux. Chateau Margaux perhaps made their best wine from the 1980’s. Northern Medoc struggled.
Best of Vintage: Chateau Palmer, Chateau Margaux, Lafite Rothschild

Very wet and cold harvest. Wine lacked structure and fruit. Was early drinking. Avoid
Best of Vintage: Chateau Margaux

A historically cold winter was followed by a long and warm growing season. Wine was fruit forward and accessible at a young age, with enough acidity to age gracefully.
Best of Vintage: Leoville las Cases, Lynch Bages, Leoville Barton, Chateau Margaux, Haut Brion Blanc, Domaine de Chevalier Blanc, Haut Brion Rouge

Upon release the wine from this vintage was enormous even by modern day standards. Enormous tannins and high acidity set this vintage up for a long and graceful aging potential. While the fruit has dissipated somewhat today, the complexity and balance remains high.
Best of Vintage: Mouton Rothschild, Leoville las Cases, Talbot, Pichon Lalande, Ducru-Beaucaillou, Chateau Margaux, Haut Brion

A cold and wet growing season led to severe grey rot issued. Upon release the wines were pleasant, fruit forward, and easy drinking. They are well past their drinking window.
Best of Vintage: Mouton Rothschild, Lafite Rothschild, Leoville las Cases

A very long and mild summer was almost wiped out due to September rains. The Chateau that held out benefited mightily. The wines were retrained, balanced, and classic. They best are still drinking well now and well into the future.
Best of Vintage: Lafite Rothschild, Leoville las Cases, Lynch Bages, Chateau Margaux, Pape Clement, Haut Brion

A precursor to modern Bordeaux, 1989 was the hottest vintage since 1949 and held the earliest harvest since the late 1800’s. While they were approachable upon release, the best had hearty structure and are still going strong.
Best of Vintage: Lynch Bages, Pichon Baron, Haut Brion, Chateau Palmer, Chateau Margaux, Mission Haut Brion

Perhaps the finest Left Bank vintage since 1961, a long hot summer was balanced by cool nights. Opulent fruit and seamless tannins were intertwined with healthy acidity. These are drop dead gorgeous now, but can still go another two decades.
Best of Vintage: Lynch Bages, Pichon Baron, Leoville Poyferre, Lafite Rothschild, Latour, Leoville las Cases, Chateau Margaux, Rauzan-Segla, Haut Brion, Mission Haut Brion

Dry but cold growing season affected by a heavy April frost. Wines were lean with little fruit. Past its prime in the late 1990’s.
Best of Vintage: Latour, Haut Brion, Chateau Margaux, Leoville las Cases, Pichon Lalande

A very wet, rainy and cold growing season led to virtually no phenolic maturity throughout Bordeaux.
Best of Vintage: Leoville las Cases, Lafite Rothschild, Latour, Haut Brion Blanc, Domaine de Chevalier Blanc, Haut Brion Rouge

A very dry spring was followed by a historically wet growing season. Upon release they were pretty and approachable, though they are now well past their drinking window.
Best of Vintage: Haut Brion, la Mission Haut Brion, Haut Brion Blanc, Chateau Palmer, Leoville las Cases. Latour, Mouton Rothschild

Late rains destroyed what had been up to that point an immaculate growing season. Upon release the wines were pretty and fresh. Cabernet Sauvignon suffered the most.
Best of Vintage: Latour, Leoville las Cases, Pontet-Canet, Chateau Margaux, Haut Brion Blanc

Enormous and tannic wines that are aging beautifully. Long hot summer with early September rains.
Best of Vintage: Pichon Lalande, Ducru-Beaucaillou, Latour, Grand Puy Lacoste, Leoville las Cases, Lafite Rothschild, Chateau Margaux, Brane-Cantenac, Haut Brion, Mission Haut Brion

A wet second half of the growing season that spilled into harvest. While diluted, the fruit was healthy and reached maturity. Today the fruit notes have somewhat dissipated, leaving firm tannins, acidity, and moderate complexity.
Best of Vintage: Chateau Margaux, Leoville las Cases, Mouton Rothschild, Pichon Lalande, Latour, Haut Brion

An unseasonably warm late winter and early spring initiated early bud break. Mid-Spring through August were relatively cold and wet which stunted berry maturation. Harvest was warm and dry which helped Cabernet Sauvignon. Wine from this vintage was early drinking with robust tannins.
Best of Vintage: Haut Brion Blanc, Haut Brion Rouge, Chateau Margaux, Leoville las Cases, Mouton Rothschild

Reasonably good growing season was stunted by constant harvest rains. Cabernet Sauvignon was especially impacted by the rains diluting the fruit. Wines again were for early drinking.
Best of Vintage: Haut Brion, la Mission Haut Brion, Pape Clement, Mouton Rothschild, Lafite Rothschild, Leoville las Cases

A dry winter was followed by an unseasonably warm spring and early summer, followed by a cool and wet harvest. The wines were fruity and straight forward with little aging potential.
Best of Vintage: Latour, Ducru-Beaucaillou, Palmer, Chateau Margaux

An extremely hot growing season followed late hail in the spring. Generally 2000 is marked by intense fruit with moderate to low acidity.
Best of Vintage: Lafite Rothschild, Leoville las Cases, Latour, Lynch Bages, Leoville Poyferre, Chateau Margaux, Marojallia, Mission Haut Brion, Haut Brion, Pape Clement

A record harvest and late rains diluted the fruit. Estates that green harvested, pruned back vines, and picked selectively achieved the best results. Drink now.
Best of Vintage: Leoville las Cases, Lafite Rothschild, Latour, Leoville Barton, Chateau Margaux, Mission Haut Brion, Pape Clement

Cold and wet throughout the growing season resulted in rampant vine disease and rot throughout the Left Bank. Fruit forward, ready now, and offers excellent value
Best of Vintage: Latour, Lafite Rothschild, Leoville las Cases, Pichon Lalande, Palmer, Chateau Margaux, Haut Brion, Pape Clement

Historically hot year throughout France. While sugar levels in the grapes were high, the quick ripening inhibited phenolic maturity. Style is very ripe and intense, with high alcohol and lower acidity.
Best of Vintage: Lafite Rothschild, Latour, Leoville Barton, Leoville Poyferre, Pontet Canet, Leoville las Cases

Another wet and cool growing season that continued through harvest. Wines are light and pretty and can offer excellent value.
Best of Vintage: Lafite Rothschild, Latour, Leoville Barton, Leoville Poyferre, Pontet Canet, Leoville las Cases

A very long warm growing season finished off with a mild cold front during harvest that maintained a high acid balance. These are brilliant, full bodied wines with high acidity and ripe intense tannins. Greatest vintage since 1990.
Best of Vintage: Latour, Leoville las Cases, Pontet-Canet, Chateau Margaux, Haut Brion Blanc

Very dry and warm growing season was marred by unseasonably cold and wet harvest. Over time the wines have lost much of their fruit and verve, but great values can be found.
Best of Vintage: Mouton Rothschild, Lafite Rothschild, Latour, Leoville las Cases, Palmer, Chateau Margaux, Laville Haut Brion Blanc, Pape Clement Blanc

A throwback vintage to pre-1980’s. A cool growing season and harvest. The wines are medium bodied with higher acidity, and have evolved better than initially expected. Really great values.
Best of Vintage: Mission Haut Brion, Pepe Clement Blanc, Laville Haut Brion Blanc, Lafite Rothschild, Ducru-Beaucaillou

A very sunny and warm harvest overcame the difficult spring and summer. The Indian Summer helped achieve excellent ripeness. Undervalued and worth seeking out.
Best of Vintage: Lafite Rothschild, Pontet Canet, Leoville las Cases, Latour, Haut-Bailly, Haut Brion, Mission Haut Brion

A turning point in Bordeaux, the wines are distinctly modern. Unctuous fruit with soft tannins. Unusually cool nights throughout the late summer and harvest maintained higher than expected acid levels. This will be a long lived vintage.
Best of Vintage: Pontet Canet, Latour, Ducru-Beaucaillou, Mouton Rothschild, Chateau Margaux, Palmer, Haut Brion, Smith Haut Lafitte, Mission Haut Brion, Pape Clement

Exceptionally dry but long growing season that lasted well into October. The wines have enormous fruit, but also high tannins and acidity. Among the most ageable vintages in memory.
Best of Vintage: Pontet Canet, Latour, Ducru-Beaucaillou, Mouton Rothschild, Chateau Margaux, Palmer, Haut Brion, Smith Haut Lafitte, Mission Haut Brion, Pape Clement

A stormy harvest was preceded by a hot spring and cold summer. Phenolic maturity was a struggle, but high tannins have allowed these wines to age gracefully. They’re in an excellent place now.
Best of Vintage: Leoville las Cases, Leoville Poyferre, Latour, Palmer, Pape Clement, Mission Haut Brion

A cold and damp spring and fall sandwiched a hot summer. The wines are fruit forward, light bodied, and pleasant.
Best of Vintage: Latour, Mouton Rothschild, Leoville las Cases, Ducru-Beaucaillou, Chateau Margaux, Palmer, Pape Clement

Nearly a repeat of 2012, with historic rain storms in July, and more wet weather during harvest. Wines have a bit more depth and power than 2012, and there are good values to be had.
Best of Vintage: Latour, Mouton Rothschild, Pontet Canet, Chateau Margaux, Haut Brion Blanc, Smith Haut Lafitte Blanc, Domaine de Chevalier Blanc

What began as another poor vintage, with a cool and wet spring and summer, were saved by unseasonably warm and sunny harvest. These are incredibly ageable and pretty wines that offer stunning value.
Best of Vintage: Latour, Lynch Bages, Leoville las Cases, Ducru-Beaucaillou, Pontet Canet, Chateau Margaux, Haut Brion, Mission Haut Brion

Finally, a very long, warm and sun-filled growing season. The wines are unctuous, powerful, and well structured that are built for ageing.
Best of Vintage: Chateau Margaux, Palmer, Rauzan-Segla, Haut Brion, Mission Haut Brion, Haut-Bailly, Smith Haut Lafitte, Latour, Mouton Rothschild, Pichon Baron, Pontet Canet

A long, sunny and warm growing season that had unusually cool evenings. Perfect phenolic ripeness with exceptional balance. Most of the Grand Vin will require ageing to reach their potential, but there are really great values from the northern Medoc that are drinking well now.
Best of Vintage: Leoville las Cases, Pichon Lalande, Ducru-Beaucaillou, Lynch Bages, Lafite Rothschild, Latour, Chateau Margaux, Palmer, Rauzan Segla, Brane Cantenac, Haut Brion, Smith Haut Lafitte, Mission Haut Brion

Yields were decimated by strong hail storm in the spring. That was followed by intermittent rain storms throughout the summer and fall. Generally, these wines are light in body with soft structure meant for early drinking.
Best of Vintage: Leoville Poyferre, Ducru-Beaucaillou, Leoville Barton, Latour, Lafite Rothschild, Leoville las Cases, Pichon Baron, Chateau Margaux, Palmer, Smith Haut Lafitte

Historically dry growing season coupled with plenty of sun and warmth. Yields were lower due to vine stress. These are powerful wines full of ripe and intense fruit. Tannins are elevated, but acidity is moderate.
Best of Vintage: Lafite Rothschild, Latour, Leoville las Cases, Ducru-Beaucaillou, Pontet Canet, Leoville Barton, Lynch Bages, Chateau Margaux, Rauzan-Segla, Smith Haut Lafitte, Haut Brion, Mission Haut Brion

Heat was historically high on par with 2003. Sporadic rains helped cool off the vineyards. A long growing season with harvest taking place well into September and October. The wines from this vintage have the unctuous fruit from 2009. the austere tannins from 2010, and balancing acidity from 2014. Historically great vintage.
Best of Vintage: Chateau Margaux, Lafite Rothschild, Latour, Mission Haut Brion, Leoville las Cases, Pichon Lalande, Leoville Barton, Cos d’Estournel

The last in an incredible trio of great vintages. The style of the wines is fresh, lively, vivid and balanced, without the baroque power of 2018 or the concentrated force of 2019, but with beguiling purity of fruit and floral notes.
Best of Vintage: Chateau Margaux, Chateau Palmer, Smith Haut Lafite, Chateau Haut Brion, Mouton-Rothschild, Lafite, Cos d’Estournel, Château Montrose

Long and warm growing season that produced full bodied and concentrated wines. Incredibly well aging.
Best of Vintage: Le Pin, Lafleur, l’Evangile, Le Gay

A few good wines made, but generally an underwhelming vintage from St. Emilion and Pomerol
Best of Vintage: Cheval Blanc, le Pin

Very wet and cold harvest. Wine lacked structure and fruit. Was early drinking. Avoid
Best of Vintage: Chateau Petrus, Conseillante

A perfect long and warm growing season that extended into harvest. Well balanced with opulent fruit and ripe tannins.
Best of Vintage: Cheval Blanc, Tertre Roteboeuf, l’Eglise Clinet, l’Evangile

Harvest storms diluted much of the early ripening Merlot in the right bank. Production was high, and good weather during the summer helped mitigate a complete disaster.
Best of Vintage: Cheval Blanc, le Pin, Vieux Chateau Certan

A cold and wet summer carried over into harvest. Wines were simple upon release with gripping tannins.
Best of Vintage: Clinet, la Fleur de Gay

An excellent summer led into a wet September. However, unlike the Left Bank which is predominantly Cabernet Sauvignon, most of the early ripening Merlot was picked prior to the September rains. A very good year for the right bank.
Best of Vintage: Lafleur, Clinet, Tertre Roteboeuf, Angelus

Merlot on the right bank struggled to reach full ripeness due to the heat and lack of rain, which caused most Chateau to harvest early. Estates with higher clay in the soil in Pomerol did best.
Best of Vintage: Clinet, Petrus, Conseillante, le Pin, Troplong Mondot, Tertre Roteboeuf

A historically hot year was tamed by cooling evenings and sporadic rains throughout the growing season. These wines were punctuated by ripe and opulent fruit, but with a remarkable acid balance one does not typically see from a hot vintage.
Best of Vintage: Beausejour Duffau Lagarrosse, Petrus, le Pin, Cheval Blanc, Angelus, Troplong Mondot, Lafleur, Clinet

A warm winter was followed by late spring frosts which hindered bud break. Grapes never really got a chance to ripen, and rot was a huge problem.
Best of Vintage: Clinet, Angelus, la Fleur de Gay

Wet and cloudy throughout the growing season, which hindered phenolic ripeness. These were pleasant and simple upon release, but are well after their expiration date.
Best of Vintage: Lafleur, Petrus, Troplong Mondot, Valandraud

Merlot was helped somewhat by being early ripening as most was harvested prior to torrential rains in September. However, most of the growing season was hindered by storms. Upon release the wine was pretty but with only mid-term aging potential.
Best of Vintage: Lafleur, Petrus, Troplong Mondot, Valandraud

Unlike the late ripening Cabernet Sauvignon which is found on the Left Bank, Merlot and Cabernet Franc were saved from the September rains as harvest had completed prior to their arrival. The growing season had been exceptional up to that point.
Best of Vintage: le Pin, Petrus, Lafleur, Valandraud

The Right Bank found more phenolic maturity than the Left Bank, with tannins more in balance with brisk acidity. They have aged beautifully.
Best of Vintage: Clinet, Lafleur, Petrus, Valandraud, Beau-Sejour Becot

Late summer and harvest rains affected Merlot and Cabernet Franc exceptionally. The fruit became diluted, and thus concentration lacked.
Best of Vintage: La Mondotte, Ausone, Petrus, Conseillante

Cool and wet weather during the late growing season spilled over into harvest. While the Left Bank was able to hold off harvesting till after the rains subsided, the Right Bank could not. These were soft and forward wines with reasonable structure for mid-term aging.
Best of Vintage: La Mondotte, Ausone, Petrus

Brilliant vintage for the Right Bank—among the greatest ever. Harvest took place well before the fall rains, which was preceded by a long and sunny growing season.
Best of Vintage: Cheval Blanc, Angelus, Pavie, Pavie Macquin, La Mondotte, Pavie Decesse, Trotanoy, Petrus, l’Eglise Clinet, l’Evangile, la Fleur Petrus

Soft and elegant wines with mid-term ageing potential. Cold and wet during spring budding and fruit set, followed by hot and dry summer. A large hail storm during harvest destroyed much of the crop.
Best of Vintage: Ausone, La Mondotte, Monbousquet, Petrus, la Croix St Georges

Vineyards with rocky soil fared better than alluvial and clay soil due to severe lack of rain and high heat. Style is ripe and flamboyant, with high alcohol and lower acidity.
Best of Vintage: Lafleur, Petrus, Pavie, Angelus, La Clusiere, Cheval Blanc, l’Evangile, l’Eglise Clinet, Hosanna

Nearly perfect late harvest saved an underwhelming and wet growing season. Wines are pretty and are aging better than expected. Soft and elegant.
Best of Vintage: Ausone, Angelus, Pavie, le Pin, Clos l’Eglise, Petrus, Trotanoy

An unseasonably cold and wet growing season resulted in light bodied and aromatic wine with mid-term aging potential.
Best of Vintage: Vieux Chateau Certan, Ausone, Pavie

Historically hot year in Bordeaux resulted in high alcohol and opulent wine, with mid-term aging potential.
Best of Vintage: Ausone, Angelus, Clos Fourtet, Pavie Decesse, la Mondotte, Lafleur

A large harvest coupled by a wet harvest resulted in very restrained and pretty wines for mid-term aging. Pretty, light bodied and lacks structure.
Best of Vintage: Angelus, Bellevue Mondotte, Lafleur, la Pin

A long, sunny and warm growing season drove up sugar levels, followed by a cool September which helped maintain high acidity. Powerful wines with incredible structure for long-term aging.
Best of Vintage: Cheval Blanc, Pavie, Troplong Mondot, Angelus, Ausone, Bellevue Mondotte, Lafleur, l’Eglise Clinet

Generally cool vintage but dry. St Emilion faired best due to the clay soils ability to retain water. Fruity and pretty, but low structure for mid-term aging.
Best of Vintage: l’Eglise Clinet, Vieux Chateau Certan, Petrus, Cheval Blanc, Bellevue Mondotte, Pavie

A cold summer was followed by a wet harvest. Much of the vineyards struggled with disease and rot. Wines are elegant and pretty and have aged better than expected.
Best of Vintage: l’Eglise Clint, Lafleur, Bellevue Mondotte, Tertre Roteboeuf

A cool and wet spring and early summer was followed by a long and warm August through October. Incredibly underrated vintage in the right bank, though Pomerol excelled over St. Emilion due to late season hail.
Best of Vintage: Ausone, la Mondotte, Troplong Mondot, Lafleur, Petrus, Trotanoy

A hot and dry vintage throughout Bordeaux resulted in rich and fruit wines. They were accessible at a young age, and have shown to be quite ageable despite early projections.
Best of Vintage: Bellevue Mondotte, Beausejour Duffau Lagarrosse, Cheval Blanc, la Mondotte, l’Evangile, le Pin, Petrus, Pavie

Historically long and sunny growing season with moderate warmth. Among the most ageable vintages from the right bank in decades. High structure coupled with rich fruit.
Best of Vintage: Vieux Chateau Certan, l’Eglise Clinet, le Pin, Petrus, Pavie, Cheval Blanc, Angelus, Clos Fourtet

A cold and wet growing season throughout with unusually high structure and alcohol. Best for mid-term aging.
Best of Vintage: Vieux Chateau Certan, l’Eglise Clinet, le Pin, Petrus, Pavie, Cheval Blanc, Angelus, Clos Fourtet

Beautiful and seamless wines that overachieved. The wines were beautiful right upon release, and have shown to be ageable. Incredibly underrated vintage and excellent values can be had.
Best of Vintage: Hosanna, Ausone, Bellevue Mondotte, la Violette, Petrus

A dry July and August were sandwiched between sizable rain storms which diluted the berries. Wines are generally light bodied and fruity lacking flesh and structure. Best for early or mid-term aging. Still some great values to be had, especially in Pomerol.
Best of Vintage: Ausone, Gracia, la Mondotte, l’Eglise Clinet

A late warm and dry growing season resulted in moderately structured and rich wines for mid to long term aging.
Best of Vintage: Trotanoy, Vieux Chateau Certan, l’Eglise Clinet, l’Evangile, Lafleur, Ausone, Cheval Blanc

Another historically hot year resulted in enormous extraction and high alcohol. These were great wines upon release. Reminiscent of 2009, but perhaps with lower acidity. Mid-term aging for most, though Pomerol was exceptional for long-term aging.
Best of Vintage: Lafleur, Petrus, Cheval Blanc, Clinet, Vieux Chateau Certan, Ausone, Belair Monange, le Dome

Incredibly balanced year with enormous structure. Similar to 2010, yet with more richness, depth and power. These will age gracefully for decades.
Best of Vintage: Vieux Chateau Certan, Cheval Blanc, Angelus, Pavie, Ausone, le Dome, Petrus, Lafleur, Trotanoy, le Pin, l’Eglise Clinet, Clinet

Cool and wet growing season throughout. Most chateau green harvested extensively which saved quality throughout. There are amazing values to be had, though production was down considerably.
Best of Vintage: Pavie, Ausone, Belair Monange, Bellevue Mondotte, Lafleur, Petrus, l’Eglise Clinet, Vieux Chateau Certan

Historically hot and dry year in the right bank and cooled off during harvest. These are intense and fruity wines with seamless structure, though perhaps with lower than preferred acidity. This was an especially magical year for Pomerol.
Best of Vintage: Vieux Chateau Certan, Petrus, Trotanoy, Lafleur, Ausone, Cheval Blanc, le Dome, Pavie, Belair Monange

Another year of seamless structure and rich fruit, though perhaps more focused. This is a year for long-term aging and may take some time to come around.
Best of Vintage: Cheval Blanc, Lafleur, Vieux Chateau Certan. La Conseillante, l’Eglise Clinet, Ausone

No significant differences between Right and Left Bank. Many producers felt that the vintage pattern in 2020 suited the early ripening Merlot more than Cabernet Sauvignon. The warmth of the vintage is more apparent on the Right Bank than on the Left, but few if any wines here lack freshness and poise.
Best of Vintage: Le Pin, Lafleur, Vieux Chateau Certan, Château Trotanoy, La Conseillante, Cheval Blanc, Château Angelus, Chateau Pavie, Château Ausone

Generally lacked the acidity for long-term cellaring. Relatively warm year. High sugars. Somewhat flabby.
Best of Vintage: d’Yquem

Chateau d’Yquem was the standout – one of the greatest vintages from the 1980’s.
Best of Vintage: d’Yquem, Raymond-Lafon, Fargues

An above average growing season was ruined by a very wet harvest. Generally a vintage to avoid.
Best of Vintage: d’Yquem

Botrytis struggled to establish. Good quality, but forward and lacked complexity.
Best of Vintage: d’Yquem, Climens, Raymond-Lafon

Very complex. Well balanced with high acidity and sweetness.
Best of Vintage: d’Yquem, Climens, Fargues, Rieussec

Similar to 1985. Very forward but simple. Lacked complexity. Moderate to low acidity.
Best of Vintage: d’Yquem, Doisy-Vedrines

First in a string of three very good vintages. Good acid balance, with high complexity.
Best of Vintage: Coutet, Caillou, Climents, d’Yquem, Rieussec

Huge wines with mouth coating sweetness and excellent balance. Complexity was high.
Best of Vintage: d’Yquem. Coutet, Doisy-Vedrines, Suduiraut, Lafaurie-Peyraguey

Well balanced, very complex with rich texture.
Best of Vintage: Coutet, d’Yquem, Fargues, Climens, Raymond-Lafon

Very light bodied with light sweetness. High acid due to the cool growing season
Best of Vintage: d’Yquem

Clean, though very light bodied and simple. Some sweetness, but was for early drinking
Best of Vintage: N/A

One of the worst vintages for sweet Bordeaux in modern history. Very wet which resulted in huge losses. Most Chateau did not make wine.
Best of Vintage: N/A

Hit or miss based on Chateau. A lot of rain diluted the berries.
Best of Vintage: N/A

Huge variation between Chateau. Well balanced with good sweetness.
Best of Vintage: d’Yquem, Climens

Enormous and well balanced wines with opulent texture.
Best of Vintage: d’Yquem, Doisey-Daene, Lafaurie-Peyraguey

Reduced yields due to early frosts resulted in high sugar content in the berries. Ideal harvest late into the season. Rich texture with great complexity.
Best of Vintage: d’Yquem, Climens, Fargues, Rieussec

Hit or miss based on Chateau. Weather was ideal later in the harvest, though only a handful of Chateau waited it out. Early harvest was very wet.
Best of Vintage: Rieussec, d’Yquem, Rayne-Vigneau, Doisy Daene, Fargues

Low yields, with ideal Botrytis weather late in the growing season. Rounded texture, high sugar content and brisk acidity.
Best of Vintage: Rieussec, Climens, d’Yquem, Fargues

Late rains ruined an otherwise ideal growing season. Most of the berries became diluted with little Botrytis.
Best of Vintage: Climens, d’Yquem

One of the greatest sweet wine vintages in Bordeaux from the last two centuries. Unseasonably warm weather later in harvest resulted in high sugar content with intense Botrytis. Acid balance is exceptional.
Best of Vintage: d’Yquem, Climens, Coutet, Rieussec, Doisy Daene, Suduiraut

Very little wine was produced. Intense, but forward wine with moderate acidity. Was for early consumption.
Best of Vintage: Climens, d’Yquem, Fargues

Record breaking heat produced among the ripest berries in memory. Acidity was expectedly low. Huge, opulent wines for earlier drinking.
Best of Vintage: Doisy Daene, d’Yquem, Coutet

Small crop due to grey rot issues. Well balanced, with moderate complexity.
Best of Vintage: Fargues, Climens, Suduiraut

Very opulent and rich, but primary and lacking complexity. Lower acidity.
Best of Vintage: Rieussec, d’Yquem, Fargues, Doisy Daene

Cooler weather resulted in light bodied and simple wines. Very little botrytis.
Best of Vintage: d’Yquem, Climens, Coutet, Doisy Daene

Very opulent, with rich texture and complexity. Moderate to high acidity.
Best of Vintage: d’Yquem, Climens, Doisy Daene, Fargues

Minuscule crop due to frost early in the growing season. High quality for the little wine that was made.
Best of Vintage: d’Yquem Fargues, Suduiraut

Long and perfect growing season with unseasonably warm harvest. High sugars with healthy botrytis. Very intense wine with opulent texture.
Best of Vintage: Coutet, d’Yquem, Rieussec, Suduiraut, Climens

A long growing season with a very warm harvest. Very ripe with more tropical fruit notes. More elegant in style when compared to 2001 or 2009, but still intense and built for long aging.
Best of Vintage: d’Yquem, Climens, Fargues, Coutet

Another long growing season that cooled off near the end. Surprisingly intense, but with really high acidity.
Best of Vintage: Doisy Daene, Rieussec, Climens

A lot of rain during the second half of the growing season and during harvest ruined this vintage. Very little if any botrytis. The best estates did not make wine.
Best of Vintage: Rabaud-Promis, Climens, Doisy Daene

Late season rains allowed botrytis to flourish with lengthy breaks in rain to allow the sugars to concentrate. Wines have high acidity with good concentration.
Best of Vintage: d’Yquem, Climens, Coutet, Doisy Daene, Suduiraut

A cool and dry growing season was followed by unusually warm and dry harvest. This allowed the berries to full concentrate in sugar, but maintain vibrant acidity. Similar to 2011, but with more weight.
Best of Vintage: d’Yquem, Doisy Daene, Rieussec, Suduiraut

A very hot summer moderated later in the growing season with late summer rains which allowed botrytis to spread quickly. Cooler weather helped maintain acidity. Moderate sweetness and body, and will age gracefully.
Best of Vintage: d’Yquem, Fargues, Rieussec, Doisy Daene, Suduiraut, Climent, Coutet

A very dry summer was followed by moderate rains very late into the growing season, which limited the botrytis bloom. Lovely for early to mid term enjoyment.
Best of Vintage: d’Yquem, Climens, Rieussec, Fargues, Lafaurie-Peyraguey

Low yields due to hard frosts in the spring. Summer was hot and dry and typical late rains energized botrytis to spread quickly. Harvest was among the shortest on record. Wine is primary and fruit forward with an early drinking window.
Best of Vintage: d’Yquem, Rieussac, Lafaurie-Peyraguey, Climens

Yields were cut short due to grey rot and a late hail storm. Another hot and dry summer, with little botrytis. Wine is very fruit forward with low complexity.
Best of Vintage: d’Yquem, Doisy Daene, Coutet, Suduiraut

Very hot and parched growing season with very little fall rains. Botrytis struggled to take hold resulting in low acidity and straight forward wine.
Best of Vintage: d’Yquem, Rieussec, Suduiraut, Rayne-Vigneau

Sauternes had an unlucky 2020, in that the pattern of rain and heat meant an unusually short crop even by Sauternes standards. The slightly moister, more clay-rich soils of Barsac helped retain vital moisture to initiate botrytis by comparison with the dryer gravels of Sauternes.  The style of the wines is clean, pure and enticing, but lacks succulence and botrytised complexity.  
Best of Vintage: d’Yquem, Château Doisy-Daene, Château Coutet, Château Suduiraut

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