Vintages Flashcards
What are the best vintages in California in the 2010s?
2010, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016*, 2018
How would you describe the 2010 vintage in California?
A very cool start to the season, then sudden heat in August followed by torrential rain. Greatly reduced yields, but some very good quality wines in a more restrained, higher acidity and lower alcohol style than the Californian norm. - JR
Advocate - 95
Spectator - 96
Enthusiast - 87
What is the worst vintage(s) in California in 2010s?
Describe
2011 - Miserable conditions made for a very challenging harvest, with mildew and botrytis rife in Napa and Sonoma. Volumes are therefore low for the second consecutive year, with the best quality found only where growers managed to pick ripe fruit before the rainstorms in October. However, for those producers who managed their farming well and avoided overworking their wines in the cellar, the ageing potential is quite high and quality good. - JR
2017 - High rainfall in winter meant vineyard work could not start until after soils had dried again later in spring. Canopies were abundant as a result, allowing a surge of early growth. A series of heat spikes in summer was followed by a large surge of heat in early September. Earlier-ripening varieties were harvested prior to the hotter weather, though Pinot Noir is hit and miss in the vintage depending on its proximity to the higher temperatures. Later-ripening varieties generally recovered. Wines can show less detail than those from 2016 or 2018.
2020 - A profoundly difficult vintage thanks to the combination of COVID-19 protocols throughout the growing season, and wildfires beginning in August and continuing through the rest of the year. Prior to the fires, fruit quality was promising thanks to a mild spring followed by a temperate summer. Producers able to harvest before the fires had good quality but many lost their wines (especially reds) to smoke impact.
Describe the 2012 vintage in California
The 2012 harvest came earlier than normal, and especially after the later 2010 and 2011 vintages. Yields were also higher than normal. Growing conditions through the vintage were relatively even. The vintage was seen as a relief after the challenging prior two vintages. Wines tend to have lighter structural presence with pretty aromas and fruit but less structure for ageing. - JR
Enthusiast - 95
Advocate - 96
Spectator - 96
Describe 2013 vintage in California
A very fine vintage on the West Coast with optimal weather conditions throughout the growing season. The second high-quality bumper crop in a row. Wines from 2013 tend to have a strong structural presence and are both profoundly long-ageing as well as often needing more time in bottle before being ready to enjoy. JR
Enthusiast - 95
Advocate - 98
Spectator - 97
Describe the 2014 vintage in California
Drought made itself felt in Napa and Sonoma, but ample ripeness led to a relatively early harvest of grapes in good condition and with plenty of flavour. There is a general sense of positivity across most regions and varieties for the potential quality of 2014 in California.
Enthusiast - 95
Advocate - 93
Spectator - 95
Describe the 2015 vintage in California
Thanks to cool weather and rains through spring, yields were down throughout California. The result was a much earlier and faster harvest period than usual. Quality as a result is varied depending on how quickly harvest teams were able to bring in fruit in relation to their ideal balance. In Lake County and Mendocino wildfires affected vineyards, further reducing the volume of wines released from the vintage in those regions.
Enthusiast - 95
Advocate - 97
Spectator - 94
Describe the 2016 Vintage in Calfornia
The summer of 2016 offered even temperatures and growing conditions, followed by slightly cooler temperatures in September allowing less pressure during harvest and a good combination of elegance and structure especially in red varieties. Rain arrived in mid October creating issues for some producers focused on later-ripening varieties. For the most part there are numerous high-quality wines from 2016. And it is one of the strongest vintages for Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley.
Enthusiast - 95
Advocate - 98
Spectator - 98
Describe the 2018 vintage in California
Rains early in the year gave vines a healthy start. Then a cool autumn allowed more prolonged ripening and delivered a vintage with slightly larger yields than 2017. The result throughout the state and across varieties is generally good-quality wines with good ageing potential.
Enthusiast - 94
Advocate - 95
Spectator - 99
Describe the 2019 vintage in California
Thanks to abundant rain in spring, vines were given a healthy start. The weather through the growing season was even with only moderate heat events, followed by cool and steady weather through harvest. As a result, producers had the opportunity to make wines with more natural acidity and elegance if desired.
Enthusiast - 94
Advocate - 96
Spectator - 97
What were the best of the 1990s in California?
1994-1997, 1999
What were the best of 1980s in California?
1985, 1986
What is the worst vintage of the 2000s in California?
2000
Long, late, ‘European’ vintage thanks to an unusually cool, wet summer. There were very real concerns that Cabernet Sauvignon would never ripen in some vineyards. A particularly good year for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
What are the best vintages of the 2000s in California?
2001 - A respite for growers plagued by unusual conditions in both 2000 and 2002 with most varieties ripening evenly when expected, although some Cabernet vines shut down in August. A coolish September was a boon. Red wines from the 2001 vintage are among the longest-lived of the decade in both Napa Valley and Sonoma County.
2007 - Harvest began early, mid August in the warmer regions, then a cool September slowed ripening to a crawl, allowing physiological maturity to catch up with sugars. October warmed up, and most had their grapes in before late-October rains. Elegant, balanced wines. Yields down 15 to 25%.
What are the best vintages in Spain in the 2010s?
2016 - Unlike Catalunya, Rioja enjoyed an abundant harvest – the largest since 2005, and many producers had to discard fruit to meet the permitted yield. Quality is excellent, with modest alcohol, full ripeness, relatively light tannins, good aromatic range and no bitterness. Certainly the best recent vintage. In Ribera del Duero, the outlook is also positive, with quality as good as the strong 2015 vintage.
2010 - Exceptional for Ribera del Duero with no excessive weather patterns, uniform ripeness and quality as promising as 2004. Good quality in Rioja also, considered better than 2009.
What ares the best vintages in Spain in the 2000s?
2005 - Another good vintage with high temperatures but with (just) enough rain.
2004 - Very good year, especially for Rioja, with wines that should mostly be drunk before their 20th birthday.
2001 - Smaller-than-usual crop because of spring frosts but distinctly superior quality accentuated in some cases by further deliberate crop thinning. Some very fine wines that are maturing magnificently – if you can find them!
What are the worst vintages in Spain in the last 30 years?
2017 - One of the toughest years in living memory, with the frost and drought reducing yields by 25% at least. What was left has resulted in wines with elevated alcohol, tannin and extraction. Approach with caution.
2013 - Despite a cool, wet start to the year, a long dry summer in Ribera del Duero heralded full fruit ripeness at harvest, with below average temperatures promising fine flavour development. Frequent bouts of wet weather in Rioja, together with the cold spring, resulted in some uneven ripening and a delayed harvest that slipped into November in some parts, yet yields here were slightly up on 2012 and producers are optimistic.
2003 - Small, early, drought-plagued harvest of often unbalanced wines.
2002 - Exceptionally cold winter and spring was followed by nasty wet weather during summer – disastrous for both quality and quantity. Rain persisted even during harvest. Truly a severe test for both regions.
What vintages in the last 30 years were commonly declared by Port houses?
2020, 2016, 2015, 2011, 2009, 2007, 2004, 2003, 2001, 2000, 1997, 1995, 1994, 1991, 1970, 1966, 1963
What are the worst vintages in Port in recent memory?
2014 - Rain caused significant damage in the first half of the year, then a cool August didn’t help matters. Yields will be low, quality is not remarkable, and vintage declarations are most unlikely.
What are the best vintages of Barolo and Barbaresco in 2010s?
2016 - Piemonte produced excellent quality wine in 2016, with ripeness to match the very good 2015 but firmer tannin and higher acidity. Ideal harvest conditions allowed the Nebbiolo to ripen fully, and yields were higher than average too. Arneis also fared well, producing precise, juicy white wines.
2010 - A wet spring caused irregular fruit set and was followed by an early summer with lots of rain. While Dolcetto suffered most from the short, cool growing season, Nebbiolo proved resilient thanks to its small berries and thick skins. August proved hot, but cool nights helped retain acidity. Some cooling rain in early September ensured a slow but steady development in the berries. Irregular fruit set meant that some producers had to do a severe selection during harvest, but the overall result is considered outstanding: a classic vintage with plenty of acidity, firm but ripe tannins and near-perfect balance in many wines.
What are the worst vintages for Barolo and Barbaresco in the 2010s?
2018 - A cooler growing season yielded fresh, elegant Barolos, open-knit with vibrant acidity, light tannins and expressive fruit and floral flavors for earlier drinking (See all ratings) - Spectator
2014 - The second year in a row when a wet, cool spring followed a very wet winter. Mid May saw temperatures soar, resulting in a regular and quick fruit set that seemed to promise an early harvest and generous yield. But the weather changed to cool and very wet from early July with some violent hailstorms, notably in the commune of Barolo, dashing all hopes of a great vintage. Quality is expected to be irregular, but those who dared to delay harvest were rewarded with a sound, if notably small, crop of Nebbiolo. Likely to be a light year with limited cellaring potential.
What are the best vintages in Barolo and Barbaresco in the 2000s?
2008 - Overshadowed by the plush 2007 wines from a hot vintage, 2008’s austerity was not immediately recognised as the stuff great vintages are made of. Although not without challenges to the growers, a long and cool growing cycle resulted in healthy, thick-skinned Nebbiolo grapes full of extract and high sugar levels, balanced by great acidity. Although in most cases the tannins are still unyielding, these powerful wines have all the ingredients for a significant gain in complexity and depth over years to come.
2004 - Very promising with few extremes of weather and well-balanced wines.
2001 - Excellent quality (and quantity) from an early vintage slightly more in the voluptuous mould of 1999 and 1997 than particularly long-term. No shortage of ripeness or structure, but great balance overall.
Describe the 1996-2001 vintages in Barolo and Barbaresco
All considered good to great
What are the best vintages in the Northern Rhone in the 2010s
2017 - Very challenging climatic conditions – like the seven plagues of Egypt, according to Michel Chapoutier – nonetheless resulted in very promising quality, with high levels of concentration yet with fine natural balance among the Syrah. 2017 Seems to be the third good vintage in a row for the northern Rhône. Particularly strong for both colours of Hermitage.
2016 - Hail in April damaged some of the crop in Hermitage, meaning yields are reduced – though quality isn’t necessarily compromised. Indeed, there is a lot of enthusiasm for both reds and whites, despite some tricky weather throughout the year. Alcohol levels are in general slightly lower than in 2015.
2015 - Universally viewed as a vintage with top quality potential, although it has been overshadowed by the even better 2016 and 2017 vintages. Guigal will produce their special Condrieu cuvée Luminescence for only the third time (previous vintages were 1999 and 2003). For reds, maintaining freshness and avoiding over-extraction is the key to quality with such ripe fruit.
2010 - Low yields of exceptionally good quality. Hyped as one of the very best years in the northern Rhône – possibly the best in history – on early release, although some of the best names perhaps haven’t blossomed as you might have expected.
What are the worst vintages on the 2010s in the Northern Rhone?
2014 - A challenging growing season for reds in which grapes struggled to reach full maturity and particularly vigilant sorting was required thanks to the Drosophila suzukii fruit fly. A successful flowering resulted in a decent crop, swollen in many cases by rain during the summer and red wine harvest. Whites fared better and benefited from a late rush to maturity but retained good acid levels. With age, most reds appear relatively thin and unexciting.
2013 - Very promising reds which may well have excellent longevity. Despite a slow start and problems with mildew in June, the 2013 growing season came good with fine warm days and cool nights throughout the summer. Rain prompted a speedy harvest (one of the latest ever). Most whites are best enjoyed within the first five years, but the best reds could last for decades more.
What are the best vintages of the 2000s in the Northern Rhone?
2009 - Warmer and drier than average: volumes were down and harvest was early. Ripening was quick but complete, and quality looks to be very good. The reds are generally ageing well, and will reach their peak in the 2020s.
2005 - As successful as elsewhere in France. A long-term prospect which may rival 1990, it attracted high scores on release, but has shown some fallibility after a decade – although there’s no doubt that some great wines have been made.
2003 - Some exceptional heatwave wines with enormous concentration and good ageing potential, although it has been upstaged by 2005, 2016 and 2017.
What are the worst vintages of the 2000s in the Northern Rhone?
2008 - Lots of rain gave a disappointing and dilute vintage. Some producers opted not to make their top wines at all. Largely best to avoid. A very few examples have bucked the trend and aged rather well, but they are definitely the exception.
2002- Poor weather at flowering dramatically reduced the potential crop and paved the way for a thoroughly horrid summer resulting in rotten, unripe grapes. Some growers declassified a large proportion of them although the odd late-picked bottling may surprise. Reds should have been drunk. Good white wines at the time though.
What are the best vintages in 2010s in the Southern Rhone?
2016 - According to Michel Chapoutier, 2016 could be better than 1990 in the southern Rhône – praise indeed. Warm conditions throughout the year along with reduced yields has resulted in wines of great concentration – in colour, tannin and flavour. Certainly one of the great vintages, for reds anyway. Should be a safe cellaring prospect into the 2030s.
2015 - Grenache suffered from coulure at flowering, meaning lower yields but the quality is extremely promising. Alcohol levels are likely to be higher than in the two previous vintages. Not likely to be as long-lived as the 2016s.
2010 - A very successful vintage, with precision and freshness allowing great expression of terroir. Equally outstanding for whites and reds. While both reds and whites were described as excellent on release, they perhaps haven’t matured as spectacularly as first expected.
What are the best vintages in the Southern Rhone in the 2000s?
2009 - Hot and dry throughout August, but decent levels of rainfall too, and plenty of wind to keep the vines healthy. Very satisfactory quality fruit at harvest. Impressive. Sometimes over-alcoholic. Ageing very well at ten years old, with the Beaucastels looking particularly impressive, and capable of lasting another ten years at least.
2007 - Very wet spring but the region had a much drier summer than most of the rest of France. Wines and tannins are very ripe. Most should be reaching their best in their teens.
2006 - Some very lusciously fruited wines have aged remarkably well, with many Châteauneuf-du-Papes capable of providing pleasure well into the 2020s.
2005 - Great concentration and potential coinciding with increasing consistency of winemaking quality, although with maturity, the supposedly inferior 2006 vintage is looking the better long-term prospect.
2001 - Lauded vintage, the result of a very hot, dry summer. An unusually prolonged mistral at the end of August resulted in thick-skinned berries and accentuated tannins. Later harvesting resulted in better balanced wines – especially in higher-yielding vineyards – but acid levels are dangerously low in some cases. Drink within the first 20 years.
What are the worst vintages of Southern Rhone of 2000s?
2008 - Quite gutless reds, thanks to the rain, and not worth drinking past their 10th birthday.
2002 - So wet that there was flood damage just before harvest. Much downgrading of fruit into humbler bottlings than usual. Definitely not a vintage for the cellar.
What were the worst vintages of Southern Rhone of the 2010s?
2014 - A relatively light vintage in terms of alcohol and phenolics, even if not in terms of quantity. A mild winter and wet early spring built up water reserves. The growing season started unusually early but a cool, wet summer put on the brakes so in the end the harvest was one of the latest ever and some red wine grapes struggled to reach full ripeness. Sorting was essential. Maturity doesn’t seem to be improving them either.
2013 - Coulure was this year’s bugbear for the vignerons of the Southern Rhône, drastically reducing the Grenache crop: 2013 Côtes du Rhône may well be in short supply. As is often the case where low yields are matched by careful selection, overall quality is good, but generally speaking for medium-term maturation only.
2011 - Reasonably good quality and good yields, but won’t be as brilliant as the preceding two vintages. Often drying tannins. With age, even the best names seem to be under par.
Describe the 2018 vintage in Champagne
2018 was a bumper year for champagne, with ample yields to compensate for the smaller 2017 vintage despite substantial losses to hail. Hopes are high that the generous ripeness of the raw material will translate into single-vintage releases in due course. Total acidities were relatively low.
Enthusiast - 97
Advocate - 92
Spectator - NYR
Describe the 2017 vintage in Champagne
Very tricky conditions, with a warm, humid autumn facilitating widespread grey rot throughout the region. The quality of Chardonnay was better than both Pinots, but whether any of them are released as single-vintage wines is by no means certain.
Enthusiast - 95
Advocate - 87
Spectator - NYR
Describe the 2016 vintage in Champagne
As happened widely across France, frost and hail conspired to lower the yields, and potential alcohol, in the Champagne region in 2016. Quality is generally above average, with Pinot Noir preferred to Chardonnay. The vintage is likely to be declared for several luxury cuvées, including Cristal and Comtes de Champagne.
Enthusiast - 93
Advocate - 94
Spectator - 93-96 NYR
Describe the 2015 vintage in Champagne
Very little disease pressure, thanks to dry, sunny conditions over the summer months – the driest on record. Rain arrived in the final week of harvest, but most grapes had already been gathered. The berries tended to be small but with good uniform ripeness, and potential alcohol levels were relatively high at harvest. Richness characterised the vintage, and Pinot Noir did particularly well. Some excellent vintage champagne should be produced.
Enthusiast - 95
Advocate - 93
Spectator - 94-97 NYR
Describe the 2014 vintage in Champagne
A warm, dry September saved the crop from a damper, cooler August. The resulting fruit has good levels of potential alcohol, indicating ample ripeness.
Enthusiast - 93
Advocate - 95
Spectator - 93
Describe the 2013 vintage in Champagne
Coming up on the outside lane in terms of qualty and longevity. A cool spring led to uneven ripening and one of the latest harvests in 20 years. Summer hail caused widespread damage in the summer months but overall the Champenois fared better than many of their compatriots. The vintage releases show great tension and will probably outlast the 2012s.
Enthusiast - NV
Advocate - 95
Spectator - 93
Describe the 2012 vintage in Champagne
An exceptional vintage in Champagne. Despite low yields thanks to frost, hail and disease early in the season, August saw conditions improve dramatically resulting in exemplary maturity, acidity and grape health at harvest.
Enthusiast - 98
Advocate - 96
Spectator - 95
Describe the 2011 vintage in Champagne
Notable for its erratic growing season, which started warm and dry but then became cooler and wetter in June and July. Conditions improved briefly in August but the (early) harvest was problematic and the potential alcohol of the musts was the lowest for many years.
Enthusiast - 91
Advocate - 87
Spectator - 79
Describe the 2010 vintage in Champagne
A taxing year with dry conditions retarding grape development early in the season. When rain arrived in August it was torrential, causing widespread disease pressure. The return of dry conditions in September helped some producers over the line, but sorting in the vineyard and winery was crucial.
Enthusiast - 90
Advocate - 89
Spectator - 88
Describe the 2009 vintage in Champagne
After early complications a superb summer produced a clean crop of high quality, with particularly good Pinot Noir from the Montagne de Reims. Wines are plump and were approachable quite early on.
Enthusiast - 94
Advocate - 92
Spectator - 93
Describe the 2008 vintage in Champagne
Initially a difficult, damp year with widespread mildew; drier conditions in August and a fine, warm September proved many producers’ saving grace. Classically styled wines with fresh acidity balanced by sound ripeness achieved late in the season. Regarded as a standout vintage - until 2012 and 2013 arrived.
Enthusiast - 97
Advocate - 99
Spectator - 97
What were the best vintages in Champagne in 2010s
2012 - An exceptional vintage in Champagne. Despite low yields thanks to frost, hail and disease early in the season, August saw conditions improve dramatically resulting in exemplary maturity, acidity and grape health at harvest.
2015 Very little disease pressure, thanks to dry, sunny conditions over the summer months – the driest on record. Rain arrived in the final week of harvest, but most grapes had already been gathered. The berries tended to be small but with good uniform ripeness, and potential alcohol levels were relatively high at harvest. Richness characterised the vintage, and Pinot Noir did particularly well. Some excellent vintage champagne should be produced.
2016 - As happened widely across France, frost and hail conspired to lower the yields, and potential alcohol, in the Champagne region in 2016. Quality is generally above average, with Pinot Noir preferred to Chardonnay. The vintage is likely to be declared for several luxury cuvées, including Cristal and Comtes de Champagne.
2017/2018 have potential. Jancis doesn’t like 17
What were the worst vintages in Champagne in 2010s?
2013 - Coming up on the outside lane in terms of qualty and longevity. A cool spring led to uneven ripening and one of the latest harvests in 20 years. Summer hail caused widespread damage in the summer months but overall the Champenois fared better than many of their compatriots. The vintage releases show great tension and will probably outlast the 2012s.
2011 - Notable for its erratic growing season, which started warm and dry but then became cooler and wetter in June and July. Conditions improved briefly in August but the (early) harvest was problematic and the potential alcohol of the musts was the lowest for many years. —- Spectator gave this vintage 79
What were the best vintages in Champagne the 2000s?
2008 - Initially a difficult, damp year with widespread mildew; drier conditions in August and a fine, warm September proved many producers’ saving grace. Classically styled wines with fresh acidity balanced by sound ripeness achieved late in the season. Regarded as a standout vintage - until 2012 and 2013 arrived.
2004 - Unusually, quality and quantity were both hallmarks of 2004. Structured, well-balanced wines which have exceeded expectation.
2002 - A magnificent vintage for champagne with near-perfect growing conditions, capped by fine dry weather at harvest. Ageworthy wines with plush fruit held in check by keen acidity.
What are the worst vintage in Champagne in 2000s?
2001 - A generally poor vintage characterised by rot and underripeness thanks to a wet and gloomy September.
2003 - Spring frosts followed by one of the hottest summers on record led to small volumes and typically very ripe wines of middling quality. Some fine Pinot Noir-dominant blends.
What are the best Champagne vintages of the 90s?
1996
1995
1990
Describe the 2018 vintage for White Burgundy
After plentiful rain and a perfect flowering an exceptional quantity of grapes were picked pretty early after the long hot summer. They yielded a surprising amount of juice but, generally, no lack of concentration. The unexpectedly crisp wines charmed early tasters. It remains to be seen how they will age.
Enthusiast - 94
Advocate - 91
Spectator - 92
