FranceBordeaux/Left Bank Reds (Médoc, Pessac-Léognan)
| Vintage | Score | Drink Window | Description | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Vintage2018 |
Score95–98 |
Drink WindowNYR |
DescriptionSimilar to 2016, with wet conditions early and dry conditions late, yet both were more extreme this year, with severe mildew pressure reducing yields; second half drought saved the vintage. Reds are dense and tannic, with slightly higher alcohol and lower acidity, but terrific drive and definition |
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DescriptionSimilar to 2016, with wet conditions early and dry conditions late, yet both were more extreme this year, with severe mildew pressure reducing yields; second half drought saved the vintage. Reds are dense and tannic, with slightly higher alcohol and lower acidity, but terrific drive and definition |
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Vintage2017 |
Score91 |
Drink WindowDrink or hold |
DescriptionWarm and dry year ran early all season; southern areas most affected by spring frost, while Médoc generally spared. Well-timed rains prevented maturity blockage, but September diluted earlier-ripening Merlot. Wines are fresh and pure; best in Pauillac and St.-Julien, other AOCs more heterogeneous |
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DescriptionWarm and dry year ran early all season; southern areas most affected by spring frost, while Médoc generally spared. Well-timed rains prevented maturity blockage, but September diluted earlier-ripening Merlot. Wines are fresh and pure; best in Pauillac and St.-Julien, other AOCs more heterogeneous |
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Vintage2016 |
Score97 |
Drink WindowHold |
DescriptionA year of extremes, with a very rainy spring backed by a very dry summer. Cabernet relished the drought, yielding reds that are ripe and tannic, but also racy, fresh and full of aromas; yields normal to above normal. Upper Médoc superb, with St.-Estèphe, Pauillac and St.-Julien the epicenter of quality |
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DescriptionA year of extremes, with a very rainy spring backed by a very dry summer. Cabernet relished the drought, yielding reds that are ripe and tannic, but also racy, fresh and full of aromas; yields normal to above normal. Upper Médoc superb, with St.-Estèphe, Pauillac and St.-Julien the epicenter of quality |
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Vintage2015 |
Score94 |
Drink WindowHold |
DescriptionExtremely dry season saved by rain at veraison led to an even crop of ripe and lush reds. Later rains hampered some parts of the upper Médoc. Margaux is truly special, St. Julien and Pessac superb |
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DescriptionExtremely dry season saved by rain at veraison led to an even crop of ripe and lush reds. Later rains hampered some parts of the upper Médoc. Margaux is truly special, St. Julien and Pessac superb |
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Vintage2014 |
Score93 |
Drink WindowHold |
DescriptionA good spring was followed by a gray, humid summer, but dry weather and a long harvest period through September and October saved the vintage. Best in the upper Médoc with Cabernet Sauvignon and Franc, along with Petit Verdot, relishing the late harvest; less dynamic in Margaux and Pessac |
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DescriptionA good spring was followed by a gray, humid summer, but dry weather and a long harvest period through September and October saved the vintage. Best in the upper Médoc with Cabernet Sauvignon and Franc, along with Petit Verdot, relishing the late harvest; less dynamic in Margaux and Pessac |
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Vintage2013 |
Score84 |
Drink WindowDrink |
DescriptionCool start and very wet finish saved by warm, dry July and August. Disease pressure was very high and harvest on the early side. Reds are light and easy; Margaux least successful of Left Bank AOCs |
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DescriptionCool start and very wet finish saved by warm, dry July and August. Disease pressure was very high and harvest on the early side. Reds are light and easy; Margaux least successful of Left Bank AOCs |
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Vintage2012 |
Score88 |
Drink WindowDrink or hold |
DescriptionCool and wet early led to uneven crop set and disease pressure, while dry, hot August resulted in some blocked ripening; September rains helped, but harvest window was short before October rains arrived, leaving some Cabernets marked by taut tannins; Pessac and Margaux favored over upper Médoc; more inconsistent overall than Right Bank |
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DescriptionCool and wet early led to uneven crop set and disease pressure, while dry, hot August resulted in some blocked ripening; September rains helped, but harvest window was short before October rains arrived, leaving some Cabernets marked by taut tannins; Pessac and Margaux favored over upper Médoc; more inconsistent overall than Right Bank |
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Vintage2011 |
Score91 |
Drink WindowHold |
DescriptionDry and hot early, then cool and wet late. Yields down due to small berries. Fresh fruit and bright acidity are prominent; tannins are strident but ripe, with lower alcohols |
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DescriptionDry and hot early, then cool and wet late. Yields down due to small berries. Fresh fruit and bright acidity are prominent; tannins are strident but ripe, with lower alcohols |
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Vintage2010 |
Score99 |
Drink WindowHold |
DescriptionRipe and powerful, with racy tannins and acidity for balance. More structure-driven than the opulent 2009, with better definition of fruit; should be very long-lived |
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DescriptionRipe and powerful, with racy tannins and acidity for balance. More structure-driven than the opulent 2009, with better definition of fruit; should be very long-lived |
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Vintage2009 |
Score97 |
Drink WindowDrink or hold |
DescriptionLush, rich and beautifully polished reds. Top Médoc estates made glorious wines; Pessac also excelled |
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DescriptionLush, rich and beautifully polished reds. Top Médoc estates made glorious wines; Pessac also excelled |
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Vintage2008 |
Score87 |
Drink WindowDrink |
DescriptionDamp, gray growing season led to disease pressure; Indian summer in September saved the vintage. Wines are fresh rather than dense, with sometimes crisp acidity |
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DescriptionDamp, gray growing season led to disease pressure; Indian summer in September saved the vintage. Wines are fresh rather than dense, with sometimes crisp acidity |
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Vintage2007 |
Score85 |
Drink WindowDrink |
DescriptionInconsistent; look to top names for delicacy and balance |
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DescriptionInconsistent; look to top names for delicacy and balance |
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Vintage2006 |
Score90 |
Drink WindowDrink or hold |
DescriptionBest are solid, tannic and racy; others slightly hollow |
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DescriptionBest are solid, tannic and racy; others slightly hollow |
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Vintage2005 |
Score98 |
Drink WindowHold |
DescriptionFabulous aromas and great length; wines with depth, structure and finesse |
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DescriptionFabulous aromas and great length; wines with depth, structure and finesse |
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Vintage2004 |
Score89 |
Drink WindowDrink or hold |
DescriptionOverlooked vintage with round, supple tannins and charming fruit |
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DescriptionOverlooked vintage with round, supple tannins and charming fruit |
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Vintage2003 |
Score95 |
Drink WindowDrink or hold |
DescriptionExotic and powerful, with big, velvety tannins |
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DescriptionExotic and powerful, with big, velvety tannins |
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Vintage2002 |
Score86 |
Drink WindowDrink |
DescriptionCool-style clarets, with firm tannins; stick to top names |
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DescriptionCool-style clarets, with firm tannins; stick to top names |
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Vintage2001 |
Score90 |
Drink WindowDrink or hold |
DescriptionSleeper vintage; balanced, fruity and structured |
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DescriptionSleeper vintage; balanced, fruity and structured |
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Vintage2000 |
Score95 |
Drink WindowDrink or hold |
DescriptionRacy tannins and very delineated reds now hitting their stride |
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DescriptionRacy tannins and very delineated reds now hitting their stride |
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Vintage1999 |
Score87 |
Drink WindowDrink or hold |
DescriptionFruity and balanced; some wines slightly green |
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DescriptionFruity and balanced; some wines slightly green |
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Vintage1998 |
Score88 |
Drink WindowDrink |
DescriptionVery good quality despite rain at harvest |
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DescriptionVery good quality despite rain at harvest |
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Vintage1997 |
Score85 |
Drink WindowDrink |
DescriptionTropical August; light and pleasant wines |
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DescriptionTropical August; light and pleasant wines |
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Vintage1996 |
Score91 |
Drink WindowDrink |
DescriptionWet August, yet Cabernets still excellent; firm |
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DescriptionWet August, yet Cabernets still excellent; firm |
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Vintage1995 |
Score95 |
Drink WindowDrink or hold |
DescriptionHarmonious, rich and structured; long-lived |
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DescriptionHarmonious, rich and structured; long-lived |
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Vintage ratings: 95-100, classic; 90-94, outstanding; 85-89, very good; 80-84, good; 75-79, mediocre; 50-74, not recommended
A score range indicates preliminary analysis based on barrel samples and/or a limited sampling; many wines of the vintage not yet reviewed.
Drinkability: "NYR" means the vintage has not yet been released; "drink" means most of the wines of the vintage are ready to drink; "hold" means most of the ageworthy wines have yet to fully mature; "past peak" means most of the wines are declining rather than improving.
SOURCE: WINE SPECTATOR
