Bordeaux Left Bank Vintages Flashcards
Overview
Trend of warmer vintages started 1982. Zigzag between years: riper conditions and reversion to the old classic.
Warm vintages: 1999, 2000, 2005, 2009 (the richest), 2010, 2015.
2016 was a top vintage.
Bad vintages: 1984, 1987, 1991, 1997.
Decent vintages: 2007, 2008, 2011, 2013.
2021 reached a record low for yields.
2020
Extreme weather conditions. Early, rainy, hot, dry and very complicated. Dry, hot conditions in September led to early harvest. Margaux may shine due to high percentage of Merlot.
2019
Powerful wines following a hot summer except for August. September was cooler. High level of alcohol in Pauillac and St. Estephe.
2018
Complicated. Rainy spring and early summer: problems with mildew.
The dry and hot weather until October. Concentration.
2017
Difficult vintage, small production.
2016
Best vintage since 2010, regarded as classic.
2015
Attractive vintage. Very nice wines for mid term.
2014
Not a great vintage, but better than the preceding 3 years. Cool summer was followed by the longest indian summer on record. Elegance rather than power.
2013
Cold spring, uneven flowering. Late harvest at the start of October.
Acidity is high. Smallest harvest since 1991.
2012
A Merlot year.
2011
saved from disaster by the fine conditions in September.
2010
Ripe vintage with higher acidity and tannins than 2009. More classic and longer lived. Elegant wines.
2009
Very rich year.
2008
Rain at the beginning and at the end. Short term, dilution.
2007
Light wines due to cool and wet conditions.
2006
Flat wine in the left bank
2005
A great year with perfect conditions resembling 1982. Modern vintages without excess.
2004
Well balanced wines for mid-term.
2003
The year of canicule.
2002
Classic vintage, but lack of concentration.
2001
A nice well balanced vintage, similar to 2004 in style but with less concentration and higher acidity.
2000
Following the example of 1982.
1999
Lighter wines
1998
Distinct difference between left (too much dilution) and right bank (better).
1997
Dilution and lack of ripeness.
1996
A great classic vintage. high acidity and tannins.
1995
Dry year with good concentration.
1994
Overrated
1993
Improvement from the previous years.
1992
Poor vintage
1991
Worst vintage
1990
The better of a pair of back to back promising vintages. Finesse. Harvest was later than 1989.
1989
Warm conditions giving ripe wines. More power than elegance.
1988
More power than elegance.
1987
Poor vintage
1986
Classic vintage, good tannic structure, better on the left bank.
1985
a delicious forward vintage, described as charming.
1984
Very poor vintage
1983
Very good vintage except for Margaux.
1982
Great vintage that started the modern era.
1975
Rain forced chateaux to pick early.
1966
Good on the left bank.
1964
Autumn rains. Good wines for those who picked before the rain. (Latour). Good year in the Right bank.
1961
Second only to 1945. Cabernet year. Mouton and Latour are still terrific.
1945
The best year of the century.
