Vintages of major regions Flashcards
Bordeaux 2000-present best and worst vintages
Best: 2015, 2010, 2009, 2005, 2000
Worst:
2013**(uneven ripening, dilution, universally horrible)
2011 (generally forgetable with high tannins and low alcohol)
2007 (rampant mildew, not enough sun, too much rain til September)
2002 (uneven flowering/grey, humid summer=uneven ripening)
Bordeaux 90s best and worst vintages
Best: 1999, 1998, **1996(long lived) , 1995 ***1990 (scorcher, incredibly ripe, alluring, outstanding)
Worst: Most everything between 90-95 (91, 92, 93, somewhat 94=bad)
Bordeaux 80s best and worst vintages
Best: 1989 first of two scorcher years; rich and opulent, **1986 dense, brooding, tannic, **1985 lovely and fragrant, may be losing fruit now, **1982 legendary, very concentrated, best still going strong
Worst: 1987 simple and fruity, early maturing , **1984 rough vintage, hit by Cyclone Hortense during harvest; most declassified, **1980 hit by wet summer and too much rot
Bordeaux best vintages before 1980
1961, 1959, 1955, 1953, 1949, 1948, 1945, 1934, 1929, 1928, 1921 and 1900
**70s were rough for Bordeaux, if had to pick go with 1970, 1971, 1978, 1979 (all more on right bank and few left bank)
Burgundy 2000-present best and worst vintages
2009-2015 all pretty good (like Bordeaux ‘05, ‘09, ‘10, ‘15 excellent, ‘13 great for red, but not white; ‘11 tricky vintage and many chaptalized)
Worst 2008, 2007, 2006, 2004, 2003, 2001 (better for reds), 2000 (overly ripe vintage, good for Chablis and Macconais)
Burgundy 90s best and worst vintages
- *1999 (perfect Sept/Aug weather), 1997, 1996, 1995 for red small crop but great concentration, 1990
- 1998 (frost, hail, powdery mildew), **1994 (like Bordeaux, rain during harvest), 1992, 1991
Burgundy 80s best and worst vintages
80s seem to be a rough decade for Burgundy in general
- Best 1989 An interesting contrast to the more reserved 88s: wines of charm, with a rich, opulent character., 1988, **1985 Fruit-forward, charming, perfectly ripe and full of elegance
- Worst 1987, 1984, 1982, 1981
Burgundy 70s best and worst vintages
79, 78, 76, 72, 71
Worst **1975 (5-day period of rain in September that caused widespread rot.), 1973 (mainly poor for red)
Napa 2000-present best and worst vintages
Best 2012-2016 (best 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2007, 2004)
Worst ***2011 (Rare rainy harvest made for miserable conditions with mildew and botrytis rife in Napa and Sonoma.),2003 (uneven ripeness, austere and tannic in style, similar to 2000), 2000 (cool, European vintage; mixed and a bit green overall bus some stellar wines that may be overlooked and undervalued)
2016
Near perfect growing season, wrapped up picking as the valley’s first significant fall rainstorm arrived on October 14. 5 consecutive vintage in a row of stellar quality.
2015
Huge wildfires proved a challenge; damage to vineyards as well as threatening smoke taint.
**2012-2014 were all bumper harvests with record size crops
2014
Drought in Napa and Sonoma and South Napa earthquake, but ample ripeness led to a relatively early harvest of grapes in good condition and with plenty of flavor. Most harvest completed by the third week in October. full two weeks ahead of the normal harvest.
2012
Ideal growing conditions seem likely to have produced the best vintage for decades. Virtually all varieties seem to have thrived. Quality with quantity at last.
2007
Textbook year.. Small crop (yields down 15-20%), ideal ripening; definied by complexity and plush tannins. 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.
2006 and 2005
Two cool, damp vintages, although sugars accumulated at an even pace, and there is some restraint and good acidity in the wines.
2004
A switchback vintage with a particularly cool spring and an unusually hot summer leading to an exceptionally early harvest. Very heterogeneous.
Napa 90s best and worst vintages
Best (1999, 1997, 1996 (sleeper), 1995, 1994)
**1999-Tremendous depth, concentration and structure from a cool, moderate year; ageworthy
***1997 Huge crop of ripe, opulent, fleshy, concentrated wines, from near-perfect weather; super in Sonoma, too. Early, generous harvest of widely admired wines with all varieties ripening at once.
Worst-***1998 (“cliffhanger vintage” was as late as 1997 was early. Wines tend to lack stuffing. Cool, damp year with mostly green, herbal wines marked by gritty tannins) 1993 (Erratic growing conditions reduced eventual yields. A mixed bag and just off pace with the rest of the decade, a few stars)
1994
A showy year. Generally compared to 1991, the slow ripening benefited the reds especially.
1991
A long growing season reflected in unusually fragrant, complex wines, with Zinfandel strong. A star early on, only to be eclipsed by others this decade.
1990
A modest-sized, small crop, the top Cabernets and Chardonnays rivalled 1985.
Napa 80s best and worst vintages
Best 1987, 1986, 1985, 1984
Worst 1983 and 1982 (both lean and tannic) somewhat 1988/1989
Napa 70s best and worst vintages
Best 1978 (ripe/rich/full bodied, ***1974(monumental, rich. full blown), 1970 (long lived from small crop)
Worst 1971 and 1972 wet harvest 1976 (drought dried out grapes)
Champagne 1990s-present best and worst vintages
Best 2016,**2015 **2012, **2008, 2004, **2002, **1996, ***1995
Worst 2011, 2010
2016-As much of France, frost and hail lower the yields in 2016. Quality is generally above average, with Pinot Noir preferred to Chardonnay.
2015- Despite relatively low acid levels (2015 is the lowest acid year since 2003), most feel that the wines of this warm, dry year are balanced, structured, fresh, concentrated and meant for long ageing. A vintage year for all – with some growers claiming that 2015 is the best vintage since 1947.
2014-Cool, wet summer. September saved harvest
2013- Difficult weather conditions with hail in July, uneven ripening. Hot July/Aug with rain in September and perfect October saved harvest. Likely a vintage.
2012- Exceptional vintage, but very low yields from poor early weather. Highest average sugar across all varieties. Expect vintage.
2011-Poor vintage, hot, dry with exceptionally large harvest
2010-Poor vintage; wine spread August rains reduced crop
2009-Superb summer produced clean crop of high quality, warmest summer since 2002
-2008 Initially a difficult, damp year with widespread mildew; drier conditions in August and warm September saved vintage. Classically styled wines with fresh acidity balanced by sound ripeness achieved late in the season.
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.
Between 95-2004 all good vintages with the exceptions of 2001 (poor spring and heavy rains) and 2003 (summer heatwave). 1996 the best followed by 1995 and 2002
1988-1990-Superb years along with 1982 and 1985
Declared Port Vintages
2000’s
**2011-10 rating powerful and elegant, with concentrated fruit flavors and plenty of grip; benchmark vintage
2009
2008
**2007-10 rating-Structured yet refined. Balanced and harmonious, with precise and defined ripe fruit and polished tannins
2003-Balanced, fresh and aromatic, with lovely ripe fruit and rich, powerful tannins, some classics
***2000- 10 rating Aromatic, rich, and ripe, serious structure.
1990’s
1997- 9 rating-Textbook vintage, with lovely aromas, firm tannins, good length
***1994-10 rating-Classic vintage, superlative structure, fabolous harmony iconic finest of the last 25 years
1992, 1991
1980’s
1985-first universally declared vintage since 1975
1989, 1987, 1983, 1982, 1980
1978, 1977, 1975-universally declared, 1970 1967, 1966, 1963-iconic 1955 and 1950 1948-iconic, 1947, 1945 1935-iconic 1934 1927-iconic arguably greatest 1912
Northern Rhone best and worst vintages
2000’s
Best: **2015, 2012, 2011 ***2010, **2009, 2006, 2005, 2003 (excellent)
2015-Universally viewed as a vintage with top quality potential. Guigal will produce Condrieu cuvée Luminescence for only the third time (only 1999 and 2003). Maintaining freshness and avoiding over-extraction is the key to quality with such ripe fruit.
Worst-2008 (cool, gray rainy season=dilute wines), 2002 (rain=rotten, unripe grapes)
1990’s
**1999 (voluptious silky vinta)
1998 (best in CDP), 1997, 1995,
**1990 (excellent) Heat wave, Massive and rich with loads of tannin and fruit, perfect for long term
1991- excellent vintage in Cote Rotie, poor vintage in Southern Rhone
Poor vintages
1993 (extreme rains led to green wines)
1992 (rainy harvest, soft wine)
Past vintages: 1985, 1982, 1979, 1978, 1976, 1969, 1966, 1964, 1961*, 1959
