drink now
A poor vintage throughout Bordeaux after a persistently rainy summer
Weather Conditions
One of the worst vintages of the century, exacerbated by the weather. A cold winter and spring saw flowering take place under conditions that were far from ideal. There was little sun throughout summer, and August was the coldest and wettest for nearly 20 years. The weather did not help to promote adequate ripening, and the abundant, poor-quality crop was harvested in early October.
Best Appellations
This was the last vintage to be seriously affected by rot, but lessons had been learnt and some selection was attempted, so this is a vintage which should have been enjoyed in the initial 10 years of its life. Only a few survivors today, and this is a question of crus rather than appellations.
Best Producers
Pauillac: Latour is better than in ’63, and still good today if carefully decanted. Graves: Haut Brion is still sweet and charming and La Mission should be equally good.
