Table of quotations for vintages of wines from the regions of France

The following table indicates the "intrinsic" quality of the vintages of the wines of the regions of France, it is constructed from the climatic conditions, which are very sensitive in the 3 months preceding the harvest.

It also takes into account current tastings for the oldest years (some vintages judged to be very good have ultimately not kept their promises over time and vice versa...).

It gives no indication as to the volume of the wines produced, it happens that excellent years produce little wine while certain mediocre vintages have been associated with enormous production.

Usefulness of such a vintage quotation table:

If you are looking for a wine from a given year, for example to offer for a birthday, you can, depending on the colors, choose the region which is most likely to offer an optimal wine.

If you are fixed on a region and a color, you can choose an optimal year in quality, for example: Bordeaux red 1982, or Burgundy red 1969.

Why are recent years rather "better"?

The "recent" years are generally a little warmer on average (global warming, or simple hazards... ???), which means that the latest vintages are generally very well rated.

On the other hand, winegrowers and estates have been carrying out more severe sorting during the harvest for several decades and only keep the best grapes and bunches to make their wines, which is a step in the right direction for improving quality. .

But as I mentioned above, the quantities produced can be very small, for example in Burgundy in 2016.

It is therefore quite natural to see this table becoming more and more blue/green as it passes from bottom to top.

We can all hope that this trend will continue, without a sharp increase in prices!!!

"Old" vintages: quotation from 1909 to 1966:

Some "remarkable" and sought-after vintages:

In recent vintages, we can cite:

the duos 2009/2010 and 2015/2016, then, decades past:

2005, 2000, 1996, 1995, 1990, 1989, 1988, 1986, 1985, 1976, 1971 and 1970 which were almost unanimous in all regions of France!

1982 was one of the best years for red Bordeaux, but had very little success with red Burgundies...

1969 was an extraordinary year in Burgundy, both reds and whites, but rather mediocre in Bordeaux reds...

It goes to show that you shouldn't rely on Bordeaux ratings alone to hope to glimpse the quality of the wines of France as a whole!

Remarkable older vintages:

For thrill seekers, I can only recommend:

1961: exceptional year (and I am perfectly objective, although it is my year of birth...)

1959 and 1955: the winning duo of the 50s!!

The 1949 / 1947 / 1945 trilogy, with for this last year, the coveted title of year of the century!!

A little further still in the past, 1934 and 1937, I recently drank some red Bordeaux and Burgundy, although they come from little known estates: great pleasure to taste them!!

For 10 more years, I recommend the 1921 / 1928 / 1929 trilogy...

A 1929 Pommard from trader Dufouleur proved to be surprisingly fresh in 2019!!

What to expect from "mediocre" vintages?

A so-called "mediocre" vintage often corresponds to a fairly light and not very complex wine which will evolve quite quickly.

Nevertheless, having tasted many wines from so-called "mediocre" vintages in the eyes of the critics at the time, I often had some nice surprises!

The wines were, it is true, rather light, but as the years and decades passed, what could pass for a fault could become a source of astonishment and pleasure.

For example, a Château Le Jurat, Saint-Émilion 1913, opened in 2019, showed very nice notes of fresh red fruits, with few tannins and power, of course, but oh so pleasant and easy to drink...

"Very old" vintages: quotation from 1750 to 1908:

In development: I need to compile tasting notes and expert opinions that I know who have tasted these types of wines, I think I will have completed the table at the end of October 2021...

Thanks for your patience !!

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