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Vintage Descriptions
2005
2004
2003
2002
2001
2000
1999
1998
1997
1996
1995
1994
1993
1992
1991
1990
1989
1988
1987
1986
1985
1984
1983
1982
1981
1980
1979
1978
1977
1976
1975
1974
1973
1972
1971
1970
1969
1968
1967
1966
1965
1964
1963
1962
1961
1960
1959
1958
1957
1956
1955
1954
1953
1952
1951
1950
1949
1948
1947
1946
1945
1944
1943
1942
1941
1940
1939
1938
1937
1936
1935
1934
1933
1932
1931
1930
1929
1928
1927
1926
1925
1924
1923
1922
1921
1920
1919
1918
1917
1916
1915
1914
1913
1912
1910
2005
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2004
Bordeaux: After Bordeaux 2003, which was the subject of so much hype, 2004 marked a return to a more classic Bordeaux vintage. The wines are more traditionally styled, and will make fine drinking for many cellars. The vintage seems a little under-rated.
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2003
Bordeaux: The hot summer months of June and July, followed by an August heatwave, set the Bordeaux 2003 vintage apart from recent years. On tasting, the tannins are rather prominent in many wines. Many of the wines, particularly on the left bank are very 'new world in style, frequently displaying super-ripe blackberry, plum and cherry characteristics. Sauternes also showed well, with a number having very good freshness alongside a rich weight of residual sugar and botrytis.
Port: A general declaration of vintage. Classic Vintage Port. The 2003 vintage has great traditional tannic structure with attractive ripe fruit flavours.
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2002
Bordeaux: For the third straight year Bordeaux pulled off yet another miracle vintage, thanks to a final bout of fine weather. The long, fine, sunny days of early autumn—a great October, in fact—opened the way for some fine wines. The best-prepared chateaus, made wines ranging from good to excellent. Their wines are strongly built and truly the “Highs” of the vintage. They have high acids (about 15% higher than normal), high alcohol content (over 13% natural alcohol), high tannin content, and high fruit content. They also have tight structure, dark colors, and lots of power. They are quite full-bodied.
Champagne region: 2002 is proving to be the finest Champagne vintage since 1996, more redolent of 1995 or 1990 in terms of the ripeness of fruit and power of structure.
Port: A potentially excellent vintage for those who picked their grapes before the rains. Not so great for those who did not.
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2001
Italian: The 2001 vintage caps off a remarkable string of outstanding vintages for Piedmont that began in 1996. During that relatively brief time period producers gained a great deal of knowledge and experience, both in the vineyard and in the cellar, a positive trend which continues today. In addition, 2001 featured the growing conditions in which Nebbiolo thrives: hot daytime temperatures alternating with cool nights. The favorable weather, along with producers' newfound sense of maturity combined to produce an extraordinary set of wines. Simply put, for Barolo, 2001 is the most complete of the vintages between 1996 and 2001.
Bordeaux: The 2001 vintage is characterised by wines that are in a classic style with high tannic qualities and with fresh acidity and medium body. The weather throughout the growing season was cool and cloudy. A mostly dry September and October contributed allowed the late harvest of a large crop. The wines will be relatively slow to evolve given the relatively good acid and tannin levels.
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2000
Italian: One of the finest post war vintages for Piedmont wines. The wines are still tannic and youthful. They will last for many years to come.
Bordeaux: The fabled millennium vintage produced wines that are of true greatness and longevity. They are characterised as being powerful, concentrated with high tannins. The quality is due to ideal weather from the end of September. This allowed the grapes to develop thick skins from lack of moisture. For the first time in many years there was little rain in the harvest season allowing the skins to thicken further. This served to further concentrate the wines. The wines have evolved slowly and will continue to do so for many decades to come.
Port: The 2000 Vintage was the first to be declared in the 21st century and will be remembered for the immense concentration of its wines and for the small quantities produced. The wines are already showing tremendous promise, with intense berry fruit aromas and full-bodied structure, which at this early stage is an excellent sign.
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1999
Bordeaux: A very good vintage that produced low acidity, ripe wines which have matured quickly and are drinkable now. However, they should last a good 15-20 years. The weather during the growing and harvest season was excessively wet and hot and in earlier times could have been disastrous. However, those Chateau that adopted modern selection and processing techniques produced wines of good quality. Those that did not fared less well. This is reflected in the wide variation in quality across the region. Prices are fair and reflect good value.
Port: Not a general declaration of vintage. Some vineyards produced small quantities of outstanding single quinta wines.
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1998
Bordeaux: This year favoured the merlot grape leading to a glorious vintage in Pomerol and St Emillion. This is undoubtedly the greatest vintage for Merlot-dominated wines since 1990 and the quality of the St-Emilions and Pomerols is outstanding being powerful and tannic. The Médoc wines were initially under-rated, but properties with the finest terroirs have produced some excellent high-quality wines that are now showing tremendous promise.
Champagne region: Champagne from 1998 has, over the last couple of years, been re-appraised in an upwards direction. What was always seen as very good year is now regarded as excellent. The wines are ripe, not overly ripe, fleshy but with structure to repay cellaring.
Port: Not generally declared as a vintage. A small crop produced some good and powerful Quinta Vintage Ports.
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1997
Italian: 1997 is undoubtedly a great vintage. Like 1982 and 1990 Bordeaux, it will have its critics because of its extreme style, but if wine is a beverage of pleasure, this vintage offers extraordinary wines.
Bordeaux: The wines from this vintage are characterised by being attractive, soft, user friendly with broad appeal. They have been quick to mature and, except for the most concentrated wines, should be drunk within the next few years.
Port: 1997 was one of the great port vintages of the decade and marked a general declaration of vintage. The vintage is characterised by full-bodied wines that will be at their best after 2015.
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1996
Italian: An outstanding vintage. This is an extremely good year just as the stunning 1997s. In Piedmont, tricky weather all summer yielded to a period of hot and dry weather from mid-September through to mid-October. This enabled the late-ripening Nebbiolo to achieve a classic balance between fruit and structure. The best Barolos and Barbarescos are substantial on the palate and give every indication of a long life ahead. Like Piedmont, Tuscany had a cooler than average summer and this enabled a long, slow ripening of the grapes. The wines are richly aromatic, deeply coloured and abundantly fruity.
Bordeaux: The 1996 vintage produced exceptional wines that broke all price records (until the 2000 vintage). The top wines will just about have reached full maturity now but will keep for many more years.
Port: Although 1996 was one of the wettest on record, the Douro region produced a large, abundant crop. The year was not declared as a Vintage, however a few good port wines were produced which are noted for being fruity and forward.
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1995
Italian: 1995 is generally good vintage that was overshadowed by the exceptinal vintages that followed. The vintage produced consistent wines. The best examples from Tuscany and Piedmont are now at there peak of their maturity.
Bordeaux: The 1995 vintage produced consistent wines that will reach full maturity between now and 2012. Superb weather and July and August augured well for the crop, however rain in September slightly impaired the quality. Unlike 1994, the rain only lasted for just over a week and those producers that delayed harvesting were rewarded with a harvest of mature grapes. The wines produced from these vineyards are dense tannic affairs that should mature well.
Port: If it hadn't directly followed the quite exceptional 1994 Vintage, 1995 could well have been a fully declared Vintage. It did however produce exceptionally good single quinta's with concentrated, fruity and well-structured ports.
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1994
Bordeaux: The 1994 vintage is generally rated as good but a little inconsistent. The top estates produced some very fine wines that are far superior to those in the poor years between 1991 and 1993. The best 1994 Bordeaux wines are characterised by high tannin levels with rich fruit and should mature well over the next few years.
Port: One of the greatest vintages of the 20th Century that produced classic, monumental port wines with rich fruit character. While these wines can be approached in their youth, the best will need 20 years in bottle.
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1993
Bordeaux: 1993 is considered to be a moderate vintage following on from the poor vintages of 1991 and 1992. Despite some dilution from late rains in September, the better examples of wine from this year exhibit a deep colour, rich intensity and have a good structure. The top wines from 1993 find more favour with critics than 1991 and 1992 and should be drinkable for a few years to come.
Port: One of the worst years ever in the Douro with rain falling throughout the harvest. No declarations were made and little or no vintage Port was made
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1992
Bordeaux: Rain during the harvest produced wines of variable quality. The crop was enormous but most of the top vineyards adopted strict selection policies and discarded a large percentage of their crops. This led to wines that are characterised by being soft, fruity, and low in acidity level with light to moderate tannin levels and moderate to good concentration. The wines are now mature and should be drunk soon.
Port: The vintage was declared by some port houses who produced some rich and concentrated wines. The port is still young in 2008 and will benefit from further cellaring.
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1991
Bordeaux: Generally a poor vintage with a poor reputation. An abnormally cold frosty April killed many of the buds on the vines particularly those in the southern part of Bordeaux (Pomerol and St Emilion). Although new buds formed and developed, the harvest was always going to be late to allow the grapes to mature fully. Despite the set-back, some acceptable, light wines were produced from northern vineyards of Medoc and Graves. First and Second Growths are still drinking well.
Port: Declared as a Vintage by some producers the first since 1985. A very small but good Vintage.
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1990
Italian: A spectacular vintage, one of the best in modern times. Most producers made very good wines at all levels. The wines are drinking well but will continue to develop with good cellaring.
Bordeaux: 1990 was the third year in a row of excellent Bordeaux vintages. The hot, dry sunny year ensured that, like many of the great vintages, 1990 produced rich wines from across the Bordeaux region. Many of the red wines from this vintage have a roasted or baked quality derived from the hot sun ripening the grapes. The vintage is characterised by having a tannic quality coupled with low acidity. Most of the quality wines from this vintage are still at the peak of their maturity and will continue to remain so for a few more years.
Champagne region: A superb year and one of the top half-dozen vintages of the last century. The champagnes display good body and marvellous depth of fruit as well as great finesse and very good longevity. The best will be drinking well for many years to come.
Port: Not a general declaration. The 1990 Vintage produced abundant quantities of good quality port wine, a small amount of which was outstanding.
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1989
Bordeaux: The 1989 was the middle year of a successful run of three vintages from 1988 to 1990. The vintage is now regarded as an excellent vintage for Bordeaux. As with the other successful vintages the weather was kind with a long, hot, dry summer ripening the grapes. The conditions seemed to favour St Jullien, Pauillac and Pomerol but not Margaux The wines from this vintage are generally characterised by high tannin levels, low acidity and high alcohol levels due to the ripe grapes.
Port: Not a general declaration of Vintage. However this was a good year that produced some attractive, full bodied single quinta wines with plenty of appeal.
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1988
Italian: 1988 was an excellent, almost outstanding vintage. Good growing conditions particularly in Tuscany and Piedmont produced rich, full bodied wines that will hold for many years to come.
Bordeaux: The first in a trio of great vintages and one that has been rather overshadowed by the 89s and 90s. 1988 is the most classic of the trio, with many of the wines not being overtly fruit-driven but having levels of extract and concentration that that make them perfect candidates for keeping.
Port: 1988 was a very difficult growing year, with bad weather in the spring and summer resulting in a small crop of average quality. As a result there was no declaration of vintage (a mark of the highest quality). Nevertheless, some very attractive single quinta ports were produced.
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1987
Italian: A good vintage. The wines produced are generally of good consistency. Barolos are now fully mature and ready for drinking.
Bordeaux: Generally under-rated as a vintage. Had it not been for 14 straight days of rainfall in early October, then the harvest would have been a great one. However, the unharvested grapes, particularly the Cabernet Sauvignon became saturated and watery and much was discarded. The wines are characterised by being light to medium bodied, ripe and fruity with low tannins and low acidity. There is a tendency to view 1987 as a poor year particularly in view of the great vintages that followed in 1988-1990. However, those producers who adopted strict selection policies produced some very good wines which still make good drinking but should be consumed in the next few years.
Port: This was very close to being a fully-fledged Vintage. The port wines are balanced and elegant and will provide fine drinking in the medium-term. The result is that the consumer can buy Ports at a fraction of the price of what they would have cost.
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1986
Italian: A very good year. The wines from 1986, are generally quite consistent and there are some great Barolo wines from Piedmont. The wines have reached full maturity but will last for a few more years.
Bordeaux: 1986 was a great vintage for the northern part of Bordeaux (St Julien, Pauillac) where many of those wineries produced deep, concentrated wines that will mature over the following two to three decades. What marks the 1986 vintage is tannin. The tannins originate from the skins of those well ripened grapes which were left on the vines for several weeks before harvest. In vertical tastings the 1986 usually stands out because of this particular quality. The 1986 vintages are only reaching their peak now but will remain there for many years to come.
Port: No declaration of vintage. A good year that produced forward, fruit packed Quinta Vintage port wines that are at their best now and will remain so for many years.
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1985
Italian: An outstanding vintage, one of the best in the last 50 years for Piedmont and Tuscany. The vintage produced wines of great consistency. The best wines should be great.
Bordeaux: The 1985 vintage produced wines that are characterised by being well developed, rich and having a seductive complexity with an attractive perfume. A drought for much of August and September led to concentrated grapes at harvest. The wines have now generally gone through the peak of their maturity and should be drunk within the next few years.
Port: A great classic Vintage, with concentrated, rich and potent wines. General declaration of vintage.
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1984
Bordeaux: A poor Merlot crop in 1984 led to wines that are generally deeply coloured, tannic and austere affairs with a high level of acidity. This is because Merlot in small percentages is added to soften the wine by counterbalance the characteristics of the Cabernet Grapes. Many of the top producers only made small quantities of wine.
Port: No declaration of vintage but some attractive single quinta port wines. Now fully mature but will keep for years.
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1983
Bordeaux: A tropical humid heat-wave in August led to some over-ripening in some regions. Those Chateau who adopted careful selection produced some outstanding wines. Those from the Margaux region were probably the greatest of the decade. St Julien and Pauillac also turned out very good wines. The irregularity means that no single characteristic defines the vintage. The wines are now at the peak of their maturity.
Port: A great classic vintage, with concentrated, rich and potent wines. General declaration of vintage.
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1982
Bordeaux: The 1982 vintage was an outstanding one that produced some of the most complex profound wines since 1961. Great weather made this vintage a successful one. Harvests were boosted by a September heat-wave, the result of which was super-ripe grapes, both in respect of sugar content and physiology. The lesser wines from the St Emillion, Graves, Pomerol and Margaux regions are now fully mature. The heavyweight wines from these regions and St Julien, Pauillac are evolving slowly and will continue to do so.
Port: A good Vintage, with elegant and aromatic wines. Declared by a few houses, but most made Quinta wines.
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1981
Italian: 1981 is generally descibed as an average vintage that produced consitent wines. The best examples from Tuscany and Piedmont are now at there peak of their maturity.
Bordeaux: A very good vintage. Although July was cool the fruit ripened well through a warm and dry August and September. The harvest began under good conditions in the very last days of September but was hampered by rain in the first two weeks of October leading to a dilution of the grape juice. Nevertheless, reliable chateau still managed to fashion some stylish, classic wines, with medium body and good structure.
Port: A very poor year for port - one to avoid.
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1980
Italian: A very good year. The wines from 1980, are generally quite consistent and there are some great Barolo wines from Piedmont. The wines have reached full maturity but will last for a few more years.
Bordeaux: A very wet, cool, year resulted in a mediocre vintage. The wines are generally characterised by being light and diluted. Nevertheless some producers who operated a strict selection policy still managed to produce some acceptable wines.
Port: An outstanding generally declared vintage from a hugely underrated year. The the good port wines are outstanding. This vintage is ready now but will continue to develop and keep for decades.
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1979
Italian: An outstanding vintage that challenges 1971 as vintage of the decade. Good growing conditions particularly in Tuscany and Piedmont produced rich, full bodied wines that will last for many years to come.
Bordeaux: Initially overlooked in preference to the 1978 Vintage, 1979 was one of the very few cool years that produced a good vintage. The wines were initially very tannic and acidic but after three decades of cellaring the wines have matured nicely and are now at their peak. They will remain so for many years to come.
Port: An average vintage, that produced some quite good straight forward single-quinta wines that are now mature but will keep well for years.
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1978
Bordeaux: The 1978 vintage was excellent one for the Bordeaux region. The dry hot summer produced wines that were medium bodied, deeply coloured, fruity and moderately tannic. The wines reached the peak of maturity in the 1990s but the 1978 wines are still drinking well now and will continue to do so for some years to come.
Port: A good Vintage but not a declared one. The port wines are not outstanding but are still attractive and drinkable. 1978 was the year when the labelling of 'single quinta' became popular.
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1977
Italian: A good vintage. Top regions such as Tuscany and Piedmont produced rich, full bodied wines. The wines are fully mature but will still make good drinking today.
Bordeaux: Poor weather throughout the growing season led to a very small crop of thin, light wines, most of which were drunk within a few years of the vintage. As a result, wines originating from this vintage are rare.
Port: A classic vintage that was declared by all the major port houses. Even after more than thirty years, the ports are only just becoming approachable. They will last for many more decades. The port wines are concentrated, complex, well structured and balanced. Marked by strong tannins, these wines have great finesse and staying power.
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1976
Italian: A large crop was produced but the wines lacked the ripeness of the 1975 vintage. Although the wines will not improve further with age, they are still very drinkable.
Bordeaux: Good examples of the 1976 wines still offer delightful attractive drinking, albeit the style is soft bodied with low acidity levels. Rain during the harvest that following the long hot summer of 1976 tarnished what could have been the vintage of the decade. Much to general surprise, the 1976 vintage although mature on release has maintained its maturity to date.
Port: A moderate year that produced unrefined ports of variable quaility. The port wines are well past their high point.
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1975
Italian: A very good year that produced wines with well balanced body and size. The wines are generally agreeable and elegant.
Bordeaux: The wines of this vintage are only now beginning to fully mature The summer months were hot and, initially dry. Despite storms in August, good weather was restored through September and October, permitting the harvest to go on uninfluenced by rain. The wines on release are incredibly tannic yet were intensely fruity and rich. This has mellowed somewhat over 30+ years of cellaring leaving excellent examples of wines that will last and last well into the future.
Port: A light Vintage, but the best are elegant and a pleasure to drink. General declaration. Fully mature. Well cellared, the best wines will last for some years. Light and fruity wines. The good '75's will grow old gracefully and are in good shape. They are elegant and well balanced but not big.
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1974
Italian: A very good vintage which challenges the 1971 vintage as ‘vintage of the decade’. The wines from 1974, particularly those from Tuscany and Piedmont, are characterised as being rich and full bodied. The wines have reached full maturity but will last for many more years.
Bordeaux: A massive crop was produced but the wines were hard and tannic and lacked the ripeness of the 1975 vintage. Although the wines will not improve further with age, they are still very drinkable.
Port: A moderate vintage, that was not declared by the major port houses. Still drinkable now but on the decline and may appear a little light. Despite a huge crop, very few vintage port-wines were bottled from this year.
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1973
Italian: A very good vintage whose misfortune is to fall between the outstanding vintages of 1971 and 1974. Good growing conditions particularly in Tuscany and Piedmont produced rich, full bodied wines. The wines are fully mature but will still make good drinking today.
Bordeaux: A mediocre vintage. Despite an enormous crop, poor weather close to harvest resulted in wines that were diluted. The 1973 wines should be drunk soon after opening in order to extract the maximum benefit.
Port: A very poor year. One to avoid!
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1972
Italian: Whilst Bordeaux suffered from poor weather, Piedmont and Tuscany produced an abundant crop of long-lived wines that still make good drinking today.
Bordeaux: Generally considered to be a poor vintage for Bordeaux. Inclement weather throughout the growing season led to a poor crop that produced light-weight wines. Most of these were consumed soon after the vintage and so very few examples exist today. Sauternes and Barsac: Sweet wines such as Sauternes and Barsac have faired much better than their red counterparts.
Port: A moderate vintage that was not declared. Port wines are now fully mature but well stored examples will last for many years more.
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1971
Italian: An outstanding vintage one of the best in the last century. Good growing conditions particularly in Tuscany and Piedmont produced rich, full bodied wines that will last for many years to come.
Bordeaux: 1971 was a very good vintage whose only failing was to be overshadowed by the outstanding 1970 vintage. The crop size of the 1971 vintage was very small making wines a rarity. The wines have also lacked the longevity of the 1970 crop but well-stored examples of wine are likely to remain mature for a few more years. Sauternes and Barsac: Sweet wines such as Sauternes and Barsac were outstanding in this year and will last for many decades to come.
Port: A very poor year. One to avoid!
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1970
Italian: 1970 was an outstanding vintage for the wine regions of Tuscany and Piedmont. The 1970 vintage produced rich, structured, full bodied wines that are still drinking well today.
Bordeaux: An outstanding vintage against which others are compared. The 1970 vintage is the best vintage between the outstanding years of 1961 and 1982. Perfect weather led to huge crop that set a record at the time but was also of a high quality across all regions. The wines generally have a dark colour, are fragrant, have full body and a richness of fruit. The wines produced are consistent and will continue to drink well for decades to come.
Port: A classic Vintage that was declared by all the major port houses. The port-wines have great balance, good structure, and will age superbly for decades to come. 1970 is one of the finest Port vintages for the last 50 years.
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1969
A bottle of 1969 vintage wine will make a memorable and unique gift for a 40th birthday or a ruby wedding anniversary.
Italian: 1969 was a very good vintage for Italian wines. The weather was good throughout the year enabling the grapes to reach a high degree of ripeness. Of particular note are the heavyweight, long-lived wines such as Barolo, Brunello and Tauresi and lighter wines such as Chianti and Valpolicella. The wines are now fully mature and are still drinking well today.
Bordeaux: One to avoid! Rain during the September harvest contributed to what was a small crop of light-weight wines that lacked longevity. Only first growth wines will be drinkable. Sauternes and Barsac: Sweet wines from these regions were very good in this year and will last for many more years.
Champagne region: 1969 produced one of the outstanding vintages of the 20th Century for Champagne.
Port: No declaration of vintage but the port-wines produced were of good quality and have stood the test of time.
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1968
Italian: This was a good year for Italian heavyweights such as Barolo and Brunello. Whilst Bordeaux suffered from a poor vintage, 1968 marked somewhat of a renaissance for Italian wines particularly those from Tuscany and Piedmont. 1968 was the vintage that Sassicaia was first offered on the open market.
Bordeaux: Poor weather throughout the growing and harvest seasons led to a small, low quality, vintage. Most of the wine produced by in 1968 was consumed within a few years of the vintage and very few examples exist today. Those that still exist are well into decline and are unlikely to be of good drinking.
Port: A moderate vintage not declared by any of the port houses.
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1967
Italian: An outstanding vintage which was probably the best of the decade. Good growing conditions particularly in Tuscany and Piedmont produced rich, full bodied wines that will last for many years to come.
Bordeaux: The 1967 vintage is generally considered to be a good, solid vintage that favoured the vineyards in regions that harvested early such as Pomerol, Graves and St Emilion. The 1967 wines will not improve further with age and are still very drinkable and pleasant.
Port: Very few vintages were produced this year but some houses declared. The best ports show good structure and elegant fruit and will keep for many years to come.
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1966
Italian: 1966 produced a mediocre vintage for Italian wines from Piedmont and Tuscany. However quality Italian reds such as Barolo and Brunello are still drinking well today.
Bordeaux: This was a very good vintage for Bordeaux. At the time the wines were tannic and had high acidity. Over the past four decades, the tannins have faded to make the wines more drinkable. The best quality wines such as Latour and Palmer are still in their prime even now and will remain so for many years to come. Other Bordeaux wines will remain good to drink. An outstanding vintage of exceptional quality that was generally declared. Always overshadowed by the legendary 1963 but now recognised as being one of the very best post-war Vintage Ports.
Port: An outstanding vintage of exceptional quality that was generally declared. Always overshadowed by the legendary 1963 but now recognised as being one of the very best post-war Vintage Ports.
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1965
Italian: Whilst Bordeaux suffered from poor weather, Piedmont and Tuscany produced an abundant crop of long-lived wines that still make good drinking today.
Bordeaux: Generally considered to be a poor vintage due to wet weather. It is unlikely that anything other than the first growths will have sttod the test of time.
Port: A Vintage that produced some rich and powerful port-wines. Not declared by the major Port houses
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1964
Italian: An important vintage which challenges 1967 as the ‘vintage of the decade’. The main regions of Tuscany and Piedmont produced rich, full bodied wines. The wines are mature but heavy-weights such as Brunello and Barolos will keep for many years to come.
Bordeaux: An outstanding vintage that produced opulent, concentrated wines with high alcohol, an opaque colour, super length and unbridled power. The harvest and weather favoured those producers on the right bank who harvested early (Graves, St Emilion and Pomerol). All of these wines reached the peak of their maturity two decades ago, but show little signs of decline today. They will probably last for another decade.
Port: A good year in which none of the port houses declared. Some attractive ports were made which are still of good drinking.
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1963
Italian: 1963 was a mediocre vintage for Italian wines from Piedmont and Tuscany. However quality Italian reds such as Barolo and Brunello are still drinking well today.
Bordeaux: 1963 was a terrible year for Bordeaux that rivals 1965 for the worst vintage of the decade. One to avoid
Port: A monumental Vintage of legendary proportions! 1963 was one of the 20th Century's finest Vintages and is the one against which, all others are judged. Declared by all the major Port houses. Power, dimension and real character, are all characteristics of this most memorable Vintage. Even after nearly 40 years the best wines never fail to impress with their essential three components of fruit, tannin and elegance. Almost always appear to be younger than they really are.
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1962
Italian: The 1962 Italian vintage was a very good vintage that has been overlooked in favour of the outstanding 1958 and 1961 vintages. The wines produced exhibit a deep colour, rich intensity and have a good structure. The top quality Italian reds such as Barolo and Brunello are still drinking well today.
Bordeaux: The only failing of the 1962 vintage is that it followed the legendary 1961 one! Consequently, it is one of the most underrated vintages still available and the prices are still relatively good. Good weather in the summer and harvest led to what, at the time was a record crop. The wines were delightful and well proportioned across all regions from the start and the top wines have maintained this quality to this day. The wines should last for a few more years.
Port: Not a general declaration, but some very good second tier Vintage ports were made. The wines are fully mature and are just beyond their peak. Most still have a good structure though some have a slight burnt taste.
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1961
Italian: 1961 was an outstanding vintage which challenges 1967 as the ‘vintage of the decade’. The main regions of Tuscany and Piedmont produced rich, full bodied wines. The wines are mature but heavy-weights such as Brunello and Barolos will keep for many years to come.
Bordeaux: This is one of the legendary vintages of the century. Although most of the wines are now fading slowly, the top examples continue to shine through offering concentrated, ripe fruit with amazing bouquets. The crop was tiny and there are very few examples available. Provide the bottles have been stored correctly these wines should last for another decade.
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1960
Italian: The 1960 Italian vintage is rated as an average vintage. Heavy-weight, longer lived wines from 1960 such as Barolo and Amarone are still drinking well. They still exhibit a good structure and have deep colour with rich intensity.
Bordeaux: The vintage suffered from two rain filled months of August and September. The wines produced were very delicate and light in Bordeaux and only the first growth and Grand Cru wines are now drinkable. The great estates from Sauterns and Barsac produced some good sweet wines in what was a depressed decade for the region.
Port: A very good vintage that was declared by all of the major Port houses. The 1960 Ports have now settled into the most glorious old Vintage Ports of the very highest quality. After more than 40 years bottle-ageing, these wines have a superb combination of lovely mature fruit combined with the elegance that only this length of time in bottle can give. They will last for decades to come.
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1959
Italian: The 1959 Italian vintage was a very good vintage that has been overlooked in favour of the outstanding 1958 and 1961 vintages. The wines produced exhibit a deep colour, rich intensity and have a good structure. The top quality Italian reds such as Barolo and Brunello are still drinking well today.
Bordeaux: 1959 was one of the great vintages of the century producing wines that are full-bodied, extremely alcoholic and opulent, with high degrees of tannin and extract. Initially the wines were criticised for having low acidity. However over time, the wines have matured more slowly than the great vintage of 1961 and now after nearly five decades surpass the 1961s in many cases. Well-stored wines are still at their peak and will remain so for many years to come.
Port: A poor year - one to avoid!
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1958
Italian: 1958 was a good year for Italian heavyweights such as Barolo and Brunello. which were built to last. Well stored examples of these wines still make very good drinking today.
Port: A good year with some fragrant and delicate Vintage Ports, despite the rather damp weather conditions throughout. Declared by some but not all the major Port houses.
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1957
Italian: The 1957 Italian vintage is a strong candidate for the ‘vintage of the decade’ in what was a run of solid vintages between 1954 and 1958. The main regions of Tuscany and Piedmont produced rich, full bodied wines. The wines are mature but heavy-weights such as Brunello and Barolos will still keep for many years to come.
Bordeaux: A very good vintage. A cold summer led to a small crop and wines that had extremely high acidity. The high acidity has enabled the wines to last well beyond later, more celebrated, vintages. Well stored examples of 1957 will still be very drinkable now and for a few years to come.
Port: A good vintage although not generally declared. Wines that were produced in 1957 are very difficult to get hold of due to the tiny production.
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1956
Italian: While the rest of Europe suffered poor weather, Italy produced a good vintage. Top regions such as Tuscany and Piedmont produced rich, full bodied wines. The wines are fully mature but will still make good drinking today. Bordeaux: One of the worst vintages on record - avoid!
Bordeaux: One of the worst vintages on record - avoid!
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1955
Bordeaux: Good weather conditions led to a large healthy crop. For many years the wines from the 1955 vintage were much maligned for being harsh and impenetrable. However, five decades of maturation have softened them and they are only now at their peak. They will remain at their peak for many years to come. The wines are characterised by being full bodied and rich.
Port: Outstanding, fruity wines for long-term ageing - a real pleasure to drink, now or in a few decades time. One of the most underrated Vintages of the 20th Century. Declared by most of the major Port houses.
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1954
Italian: A good year for Piedmont for that produced rounded, well balanced wines.
Bordeaux: An awful vintage for Bordeaux wines. Avoid!
Port: A good Vintage that is now very hard to find. Not a declared year. This Vintage has been fully mature for many years but well cellared, the best wines will be fine for years to come.
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1953
Bordeaux: 1953 is another strong candidate for Bordeaux vintage of the century. The wines which are sumptuous and rich have always been exalted highly by critics. The 1953 vintage reached its peak in the 1970s and is now declining slowly. The wines are still very drinkable and will last many more years.
Port: Not a declared year. Poor wines made as a general rule.
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1952
Italian: Long lasting wines such as Barolo are still drinking well.
Bordeaux: Fine year, with the right bank (St-Emilion and Pomerol) on top form.
Port: A few shippers produced some reasonable wines. Tiny production. Not a declared year.
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1951
Italian: a very good year for Italian heavyweights such as Brunello and Barolo. Wines from this year are rare and in short supply.
Bordeaux: A poor year for Bordeaux
Port: Not a declared vintage. Single quinta ports may still be drinkable but are in short supply.
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1950
Italian: Long lived 1950 wines, such as Barolos from the Piedmont region, have stood the test of time and are still drinking well in what was a fair-to-good vintage.
Bordeaux: The top wines from 1950 are prodigious and outstanding. The two best applellations were St Emillion and Pomerol. The wines are unbelievably rich, unctious and concentrated and in many cases are capable of rivaling the greatest of the 1949 and 1947 vintages.
Port: In Portugal, the Tawny (Colheita) Ports that were produced are excellent and a small crop of good quality vintage ports were produced. 1950 was also known as the "Lady's Vintage", this was a delicate and subtle Vintage. Declared by some but not all Port houses. 1950 Ports are still a pleasant and fruity but are now at the end of the drinking window. Most now resemble tawnies more than Vintage Port.
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1949
The finest wines from 1949 are still in full blossom displaying remarkable richness and concentration. This is one of the quartet of remarkable vintages of the late 1940's - 1949, 1948, 1947 and 1945! Renowned wine critic Robert Parker states that this is the greatest of the four vintages possessing greater balance, harmony, and fruit than the 1945's and more complexity than the 1948's. In short the wines are magnificent!
Italian: An good vintage for most of the Italian regions. The long lived Barolos are still drinking well today.
Bordeaux: The finest wines from 1949 are still in full blossom displaying remarkable richness and concentration. This is one of the quartet of remarkable vintages of the late 1940's - 1949, 1948, 1947 and 1945!
Port: A poor year for the Oporto ports.
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1948
An excellent vintage that had the misfoutune to fall between two legendary vintages. Often when Bordeaux has three outstanding vintages in a row, one is often forgotten. The wines have aged extremely well and the best wines still tend to make excellent drinking today. The wines will last for many years to come.
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1947
Another superb, legendary year for Bordeaux and Burgundy.
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1946
A decent year, always in the shadow of 1945.
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1945
Without doubt the vintage of the century. No vintage in the post war era enjoys the reputation that 1945 does. The celebraton of the end of the war, combined with the fact that the weather was remarkable, produced one of the smallest most concentrated crops of grapes ever seen. Many of the top wines are still not fully mature and will last for another 20-30 years. Fabulous vintage.
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1944
Average Claret, better Sauternes.
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1943
The very best of the war-time vintages. Wines are in very short supply.
The French, took great care of their vines during the wartime era; the damage in general was substantially less than during the war of 1914-18 and was extensive only in Alsace, around Colmar. The town of Chablis was badly hit in 1940, but the vines escaped injury. a few chais(wine-making plants) and cellars in Bordeaux were wrecked by Allied bombings; the village of Comblanchien on the Côte d'Or was burned to the ground by the Germans in 1944.
Furthermore, France was exceedingly fortunate in the matter of weather during the war. Never, certainly, in the last half century have the French vineyard districts known a comparable succession of dry summers or a higher average of good or creditable vintage years.
Lastly, of course, the French did an extraordinary job of hiding and protecting their stocks, walling up portions of their cellars, burying their more precious bottles, bilking, cheating, duping, and deceiving the Germans on every possible occasion and in every possible way
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1942
Average year.
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1941
Poor year.
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1940
1940 was a very good year for Bordeaux, but wines are in very short supply.
The French, took great care of their vines during the wartime era; the damage in general was substantially less than during the war of 1914-18 and was extensive only in Alsace, around Colmar. The town of Chablis was badly hit in 1940, but the vines escaped injury. a few chais(wine-making plants) and cellars in Bordeaux were wrecked by Allied bombings; the village of Comblanchien on the Côte d'Or was burned to the ground by the Germans in 1944.
Furthermore, France was exceedingly fortunate in the matter of weather during the war. Never, certainly, in the last half century have the French vineyard districts known a comparable succession of dry summers or a higher average of good or creditable vintage years.
Lastly, of course, the French did an extraordinary job of hiding and protecting their stocks, walling up portions of their cellars, burying their more precious bottles, bilking, cheating, duping, and deceiving the Germans on every possible occasion and in every possible way
Bordeaux: Most of France was hit hard by the German Occupation from 1940 to 1944, but down in Bordeaux the wine business thrived. 1940 was a classic year that marked the end of a poor run of vintages during the late 1930s. Some of the best wines of the century originated from the war years. The long hot summer of 1940 produced well-rounded wines that have withstood the test of time.
Port: In Portugal, the Tawny (Colheita) Ports that were produced are drinking well. A small crop of vintage ports was produced in 1940.
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1939
Start of the war years, so production and supply was disrupted.
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1938
Another good year, but not renowned for staying power.
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1937
Good vintage.
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1936
Good to very good vintage in general throughout Europe.
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1935
Decent Bordeaux, very good red Burgundy, Great Port.
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1934
Very good indeed.
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1933
Better, but a small crop and scarce.
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1932
Three strikes in a row; a very poor year indeed.
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1931
Poor year again except excellent Port.
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1930
Poor Bordeaux year, so back to Cognac and Armagnac once more.
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1929
Superb vintage. The Latour is renowned, but will cost a packet.
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1928
Very good Bordeaux.
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1927
Sauternes a better bet than Claret, but excellent Port.
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1926
Great Bordeaux vintage; top Burgundies may have some interest.
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1925
Vintage deemed as 'early drinking', so scarce and may not have lasted.
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1924
A great vintage and reputedly still drinking very well.
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1923
Average year.
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1922
Poor year.
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1921
Big, hot vintage produced profound wines, so may have lasted well.
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1920
Fine vintage in Bordeaux. Top wines should be very good.
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1919
Good vintage but earlier drinking style, so not a lot has survived.
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1918
Excellent vintage.
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1917
Bordeaux had a good vintage, but still war time so not much about.
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1916
Average year and always tannic. Unlikely to be great drinking now.
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1915
War time in France, so very little wine available.
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1914
Excellent vintage for Bordeaux, small crop so very scarce.
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1913
Another poor to moderate vintage for Bordeaux.
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1912
Average vintage, but some good Bordeaux. Excellent Port.
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1910
Very good vintage all round. Armagnac and Cognacs