The greatest Bordeaux vintages since the 1960s
Bordeaux, one of the most prestigious wine regions in the world, is renowned for its age-worthy wines from famous appellations such as Médoc, Saint-Émilion, Pomerol, and Sauternes. However, not all vintages are created equal, as the quality of a year is greatly influenced by the climatic conditions during the growing season. Some vintages stand out for their excellence and their ability to age beautifully.
Here is an overview of the best Bordeaux vintages since the 1960s, including their key characteristics and their aging potential.
1960s
- 1961 : This vintage is considered one of the greatest of the 20th century, if not the best. The perfect weather conditions produced wines of incredible concentration, depth and longevity. The reds of the Médoc (such as Latour, Mouton-Rothschild and Lafite-Rothschild) and Pomerol (notably Pétrus) are still absolute references today.
- 1964 : A good year for the Right Bank, especially in Saint-Émilion and Pomerol. These wines, although having reached their peak for a long time, were generous and fruity at the time.
1970s
- 1970 : A classic vintage of great quality, especially in the Médoc. The wines are well structured and elegant, with impressive ageing potential. Mouton-Rothschild, for example, produced a wine of great class.
- 1975 : This vintage produced robust, tannic wines, particularly in the Saint-Émilion region. Over the decades, they became more accessible, but the vintage was seen as difficult at its peak.
- 1978 : An underrated but excellent vintage for Left Bank reds. Although less prestigious than other vintages, it produced well-balanced and elegant wines.
1980s
- 1982 : A legendary vintage, often cited as one of the greatest of all time. The hot, dry conditions produced wines that were rich, opulent and approachable in their youth. However, they have exceptional ageing potential, particularly the grands crus of the Médoc and the Right Bank. The wines of 1982 are often still magnificent today.
- 1985 : A classic vintage, offering fine, elegant and well-structured wines. It produced many balanced wines, particularly in the Médoc and Saint-Émilion.
- 1986 : This vintage produced powerful, tannic wines that required several decades of aging to soften. The best Pauillac wines, such as Latour and Mouton-Rothschild, particularly distinguished themselves.
- 1989 : A warm vintage that produced generous, rich wines with silky tannins. This vintage is considered one of the best of the decade, with wines from the Right Bank, particularly Pomerol, reaching an exceptional level.
1990s
- 1990 : Another exceptional vintage, characterized by powerful, opulent and balanced wines. The ideal conditions allowed the production of rich and concentrated wines, both on the right and left banks. They age very well.
- 1995 : After a few more modest years, 1995 marked the return of the great Bordeaux vintages. The wines are well structured with firm but balanced tannins. This vintage is often appreciated for its aging capacity.
- 1996 : This vintage is particularly successful in the Médoc, with tannic and racy wines, perfect for aging. Pauillac wines, such as Lafite-Rothschild, are renowned for their elegance and aging potential.
- 1998 : A memorable year for the Right Bank, particularly in Pomerol and Saint-Émilion, where the Merlots flourished. The wines are rich, concentrated and perfect for long aging.
2000s
- 2000 : A vintage of anthology that produced wines of great concentration and complexity. The reds of Bordeaux, on both the Right and Left Banks, are rich and opulent, with ripe tannins and incredible depth. This vintage is now considered a modern classic and continues to age well.
- 2005 : An exceptional vintage throughout the Bordeaux region. The ideal climatic conditions produced powerful, balanced and perfectly structured wines. Their aging potential is very high, and they continue to improve.
- 2009 : This warm vintage produced rich, voluptuous and accessible wines from their youth, but with great aging potential. The best wines are generous, with supple tannins and remarkable concentration.
- 2010 : An exceptional vintage, often compared to 2005, but with even more structure and depth. The wines are powerful, tannic and very fine. They have immense aging potential, lasting for decades.
2010s
- 2015 : An excellent vintage, with well-balanced, concentrated and fruity wines. The climatic conditions favored wines with a beautiful freshness and a high aging potential.
- 2016 : One of the most acclaimed vintages of the decade. The wines are of great purity, elegant and fresh, with ripe tannins. This vintage is particularly successful on the Left Bank, with wines of incredible precision.
- 2018 : A warm and sunny vintage that produced generous and powerful wines, with a beautiful concentration of ripe fruit. Although accessible in its youth, it has excellent aging potential, particularly for the grands crus.
In summary
Great Bordeaux vintages are distinguished by their ability to evolve over time, developing unmatched aromatic complexity and texture. Since the 1960s, vintages such as 1961 , 1982 , 2000 , 2005 and 2010 have been essential references for lovers of great Bordeaux wines. These years represent peaks of quality, where the terroir, climate and winemaker expertise have aligned perfectly to create exceptional wines.
