drink now
A very small harvest of variable quality
Weather Conditions
In contrast to the previous year, 1977 began with heavy frosts in spring. The late flowering was not helped by a cold, damp June, which was followed by an unusually high level of rainfall in July. The beginning of August saw
a period of warm, dry weather, but the rains and cool conditions returned during the latter half of the month.
Reds: The driest September on record since 1851, and the hot conditions continued throughout the harvest, which began during the first week of October.
Best Appellations
This was the first of four unusually late vintages, saved only by an exceptional September and decent harvesting conditions in October. The resulting wines were generally light and weak, generally lacking any particular vintage character. They are serviceable wines for early drinking. The best wines were made in Pauillac and Graves.
Best Producers
It would be misleading to suggest there are any discoveries to be made. For the record the two wines which stood out, and were still enjoyable after 20 years, were La Mission and Pichon Lalande.
