Since the famous 1976 Paris blind tasting of Napa Valley reds versus Crus Classés from Bordeaux, surprising results are common. In numerous occasions such tastings have greatly amazed experts and aficionados alike. This high quality comparative tasting of wines from (respectively) reputed vintages (90 & 91) was a first @Les Conseillers du Vin.
When it comes to fine reds that offer richness and elegance, for the past few centuries, Bordeaux stood alone at the top! But times have changed, the evolution of the Bordeaux style paired with the amazing results from hard working and determined Napa Valley producers announced a fierce competition
As in France, many Italian wine regions, such as Tuscany, experienced ideal climatic conditions in 2016. During my last (2017) trip to the region, I tasted many impressive wines from this remarkable (2016) vintage. Deeply coloured reds bursting with ripe flavours and refreshing/balancing acidity. Even more impressive is the structure that assures great aging potential. Elegant, balanced terroir wines, which merit a spot in your cellar, as they should
improve over the next 15 to 20 years. At Les Conseillers du Vin we decided to taste a selection of reputed producers to confirm the high quality level and aging potential of this outstanding Tuscan vintage.
As usual a group of 15 experienced tasters analysed 8 Tuscan reds in the usual blind tasting format. At this point we must keep in mind three important factors: 1-climatic conditions were ideal if not perfect in most appellations/areas of Tuscany. 2-cool nights assured freshness (acidity) and balance. 3-With great structure (tannins), wines from this vintage should age gracefully for a very long period, depending on the appellation, anywhere between 10 to 30+ years.
The outstanding reputation of the 90 Bordeaux vintage is a known fact. Wines from both banks are impressive. From the outset the wines displayed lots of ripe fruit with good structure and elegance. Most are drinking well, but some are still showing youthful characteristics. A great vintage, with many success stories. Thirty years later this classic Bordeaux vintage has evolved favourably, and is showing superb complexity. With great balance and elegance, many Châteaux continue to improve.
@ Les Conseillers du Vin, thirty years later, we revisited (for the 4th time!) this classic, mature Bordeaux vintage. To verify the evolution, structure and balance of this fine Bordeaux vintage, a group of 16 experienced tasters analyzed 7 outstanding Chateaux plus a mystery wine in the usual blind tasting format.
Châteauneuf-du-Pape produced extra-ordinary reds in 2016: high quality, great extract, surprising freshness and great aging potential. The reputed oenologist Philippe Cambie stated that he had never seen this high quality grapes since he began his practice in 1998. With more acidity and better balance, the outstanding 2016 should outlive the excellent 2015 CDPs. In this superlative vintage, the Southern Rhône, but especially Châteauneuf, should satisfy the fan of rich, flavourful yet elegant reds.
At Les Conseillers du Vin, we decided to evaluate this highly publicised Châteauneuf vintage by tasting a selection of wines from reputed producers to verify the level of quality and aging potential. As usual a group of 15 experienced tasters analysed 7 Châteauneuf-du-Papes plus a mystery wine in the usual blind tasting format.
Quality is through the roof, but quantity is dramatically reduced (up to 50% in some areas), which entails ridiculously high prices for this outstanding 2016 Burgundy vintage. Low yields (frost and hail) lead to rich and quite concentrated reds, while cool nights maintained refreshing acidity and great balance. 2016 has produced reds bursting with ripe berry flavours and perfect tannins for the long haul. The Burgundy aficionado will be excited and seduced by the incredible quality, but prices should curb the enthusiasm. The selected wines from upscale producers were true to the vintage delivering high quality and great aging potential.
As usual a group of 16 experienced tasters analyzed seven (7) upscale red Burgundies plus a mystery wine in the usual blind tasting format.
We must keep in mind that 2016 is a rather unusual vintage. Very deep colour, ultra ripe fruit with lots of structured tannins, with (luckily) some refreshing/balancing acidity. Some experts dared describing it as a cross of 2016 and 2015 (which are two excellent Burgundy vintages).
Highly acclaimed from the outset as a «vintage of the century», 1989 was the earliest harvest (at that time) in the history of Bordeaux. A very hot vintage that produced full, ripe, intense reds with enormous aging potential. These full bodied reds have barely reached their peak, and with lots of structured tannins, should continue to evolve favourably into the next decade. Thirty years later, and for the third time (@ Les Conseillers du Vin 1999 & 2009), an evaluation of this fine Bordeaux vintage was due. Some of the châteaux chosen for this tasting came through with flying colours while others were enjoyable/ready for drinking.
@ Les Conseillers du Vin, thirty years later, we revisited this classic Bordeaux vintage. To verify the evolution, structure and balance of this fine Bordeaux vintage, a group of 16 experienced tasters analysed 7 outstanding Chateaux plus a mystery wine in the usual blind tasting format.
Mother Nature was tough on Burgundy in 2016. She naturally reduced yields with damaging frost and hail. For many experts the 2016 white Burgundies are the result of an outstanding, perfect combination, of ripeness, freshness and concentration. In some sub-regions the frost and hail reduced production by 30%, and in some areas up to 50%. This small production has yielded lively, intense, yet well balanced whites with great aging potential. Many 2016 white Burgundies merit our attention and should find their way into our cellars.
A few days ago @Les Conseillers du Vin a group of 16 experienced tasters analyzed seven (7) 2016 white Burgundies plus a mystery wine in the usual blind tasting format.
Results: To establish the order of preference of the tasting panel, 3 points were awarded to a first place vote, 2 pts for a 2nd place vote and 1pt for a 3rd place vote.
This very high quality Burgundy vintage is at its peak. From the outset this very warm vintage produced reds bursting with ripe berry flavours and velvety tannins. For the past twenty years this outstanding vintage has been seducing Burgundy aficionados. The 1999 harvest was obviously more favourable for the production of fine reds with good ripeness, character, surprising freshness, good extract and excellent aging potential. Unfortunately some are starting to decline, but the elite wines are still going strong.
Twenty years later, at Les Conseillers du Vin, we decided to revisit this 20 years old Burgundy vintage by tasting a selection of wines from reputed producers to verify the evolution of this excellent vintage. As usual a group of 16 experienced tasters analyzed seven (7) red Burgundies plus a mystery wine in the usual blind tasting format.
Results: To establish the order of preference of the tasting panel, 3 points were awarded to a first place vote, 2 pts for a 2nd place vote and 1pt for a 3rd place vote.
In 2015 Burgundy produced high quality whites with amazing elegance for such a warm vintage. The hot summer produced full flavoured chardonnays with surprising acidity and a charming velvety texture. The producers that managed to preserve acidity, crafted wines that should stand the test of time for a decade or so. A selection of youthful high quality 2015 whites tasted in Burgundy showed remarkable consistency. Many elite white Burgundies arriving in our market offer a much better quality/price ratio than their counterpart reds.
As usual a group of 16 experienced tasters analyzed seven (7) 2015 white Burgundies plus a mystery wine in the usual blind tasting format.
Results: To establish the order of preference of the tasting panel, 3 points were awarded to a first place vote, 2 pts for a 2nd place vote and 1pt for a 3rd place vote.
To better understand this vintage it must be mentioned that high acid content in whites is trendy. Many wine writers and sommeliers tend to give better scores to whites displaying higher acid content. This trend has pushed some producers to harvest earlier, or to block/skip the malolactic fermentation to keep sharper acidity in their wines. Many of the participants at this tasting were surprised by such high acid content, in what is reputed to be a fairly warm vintage.
A classic vintage that originally favoured the right bank. In 1998 Mother Nature showed more generosity towards Saint-Émilion and Pomerol appellations, offering very ripe Merlot grapes, the chief varietal of the right bank. From the outset the left bank (Médoc & Graves) reds showed more firmness and structure, while those from the right bank offered riper fruit and richness. Results: medium to full bodied classic Bordeaux reds with fresh acidity and good aging potential. Having reached the 20 years plateau, these elite reds should be at their best. Twenty years later, we decided @ Les Conseillers du Vin to re-evaluate this classic Bordeaux vintage.
As usual a group of 16 experienced tasters reviewed 7 Bordeaux Crus Classés plus a mystery wine in the usual blind tasting format. Is it time to open all our 1998 Bordeaux or should we leave some for future drinking? One thing is for sure: the top wines should continue to evolve favourably another 5 to 10 years!
