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Five Bordeaux vintages to drink now

Gareth Birchley considers five Bordeaux vintages which offer sheer drinking pleasure right now, across both banks of the Gironde and châteaux at all price points.

When faced with the proposition of choosing five ‘Bordeaux vintages to drink now’ it is perhaps best to outline the parameters under which these years were selected.

Firstly, the vintages should be homogenous, from top to bottom, in terms of their drinkability.

Yes… the very best 1961s are still at their peak, but 95% of anything you are likely to find has probably seen better days.

The wines should not only be relatively readily available but offer value for money next to other vintages of similar age.

This is, in part, related to the fact that my recommendations are all but useless if they mirror those of critics from major publications that have, over the years, determined the secondary market prices of the very best wines.

With that in mind, here goes…


Scroll down to see notes and scores for claret from vintages to drink now



Bordeaux wines to drink now

Selected from the most recent Decanter tastings of each wine


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