Vintages

Bordeaux, being situated right next to the Atlantic, has pretty variable weather, and that’s why vintage variation is such a huge deal here. This variation in weather can dramatically affect the style and the quality of the wines throughout Bordeaux.


Let’s take a look at the last 10 years in Bordeaux to find what wines fared the best, and where to find value in the great vintages, but also what to look out for in some of the more variable vintages.

Recent Vintages To Explore
2020
Consistent quality. Merlot generally did better than Cabernet this year as there was rain during the Cabernet harvest (Right Bank wines fared a bit better), however, overall this should be a good year to cellar for the long term.
2019
Consistent quality. Quite tannic wines, with a lot of freshness and acid. Prices were reduced due to the pandemic, so you might find some good bargains.
2018
Highly consistent vintage. Powerful, structured, tannic reds, meant for long-term cellaring. Left and Right bank both fared well - on track to be one of the great vintages of the decade.
2017
Average consistency. A bit earlier drinking than recent vintages. Fresh rather than jammy. Left bank more consistent. Might find good value here as En Primeur didn’t sell well.
2016
Highly consistent vintage, classic, keep, needs time. Both Right and Left banks did well. Lots of tannin, power, fragrance, longevity. One of the best vintages this decade.
2015
Highly consistent vintage, fleshy and ripe - drink before 2016 wines. Right bank did particularly well, but Bordeaux overall was very good. Prices might be high for this lauded vintage, so going for satellite appellations is a good option.
2014
Consistent quality, drinking well now, firm tannins, fresh, elegant, and fragrant. Left bank did better than the right. Dry white wines did quite well.
2013
Highly Variable with rain during harvest. Drink Now, only the very best red wines can age. Right bank fared better. Sweet wines of Sauternes were a hit.
2012
Variable with rain during harvest. Merlot fared better than Cabernet, so Right Bank is more consistent for reds. Pomerol fared better than Saint-Émilion.
2011
Highly Variable with rain during harvest. Drink now for Reds. The white wines and the sweet wines were very good in this vintage.
2010
Highly Consistent. Classic, top wines need another 10 years for peak maturity. High quality throughout the region. Ripe, structured, powerful and fresh. Prices are high, look to satellite appellations for value. A bit warm for white wines.
Vintage Chart Legend
Highly Consistent
Average Consistency
Variable Consistency
Large Production
Medium Production
Small Production
Hot Temp/Low Rain
Average Weather
Cool Temp/High Rain

How Wine Folly Rates a Vintage

We gather the facts about a vintage and how those features affect the wines. This way, you can better find the vintages that fit your needs (whether you're a collector or looking to drink now).

Quality

Generally speaking, the more consistent the vintage, the better the quality.

The crop consistency determines the quality of a vintage. In some years, we see average to high consistency.

On other vintages, quality is much more variable. In these variable years, it's best to look for producers who consistently produce high-quality wines because they can roll with difficulties growing grapes.

Weather

Ideally, producers want consistent temperatures year in and out for consistent quality. Of course, this is not very likely to happen as weather changes frequently. During harvest, rain, hail, and heat waves are key events that can create a difficult vintage.

Seasonal events include frost, hail, drought, and even wildfires. These events affect the quality or size of a vintage.

In warmer climates, getting enough rainfall during the growing season is key for healthy grapes and ripening.

In cooler or more moderate climates, getting enough but not too much rain and getting the right amount of sunshine and heat are important for producing ripe grapes.

Volume

Contrary to popular belief, low volumes do not always equal high quality. Producers can have very high-quality years where volumes are also high.

The opposite is also true, where we might have low yields but the quality may be low - due to disease in the vineyard or poor weather conditions.

So why do we care about volume? If there's more, it can lower prices, and the prices might be higher if there is less.