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Most experts shrugged off 1974 as harsh, dry and unsightly. A few fans of the vintage are stubbornly holding on to a few bottles, hoping they will come back. Most Bordeaux enthusiasts wrote them off. They should probably be drunk. Don't confuse them with any 1974 California Cabernets you might have. It was an exceptionally good year in California.

The 1975 vintage was another great one in Bordeaux. There are those who put it ahead of 1961. They were similar: both came from small crops and both were concentrated and powerful wines. The best of the 1975s won't be ready for another 10 years, probably 15.

The 1976s were good wines that can be enjoyed drinking now, but will last another decade if stored properly. They were followed by 1977, an average year that is currently driven by trade. The wines are usable, if the price is right, but not worth keeping longer.

SINCE 1978, BORDEAUX HAS HAD a series of remarkable vintages. The 1978s are almost in the same class as the 1975s, full and concentrated wines that have a long, distinguished life ahead of them. The 1979s aren't that great, but they were, and will be for many years to come, very good wines. None of these vintages should be drunk for many years. The 1980s were relatively light, but 1981 was in a class with 1979, another very good year. Next came 1982, which some critics say was 1961 and 1975, and then, just when everyone was reeling from too much hyperbole, along came 1983, another long-lived great wine.

Obviously, the only one of these vintages worth drinking right now is 1980. The rest should sleep quietly for many years.

The era of long-lived great Burgundians seems to be over; So much so that it is almost necessary to speak in terms of producers rather than vintages. Thus, wines from Domaine de la Romanée-Conti or winemakers like Henri Jayer, Jean Trapet, Jacques Seysses or Marquis d'Angerville can last for years, while many Burgundies from lesser-known shippers are undistinguished and short-lived. duration.

The vintage business is complicated!

If you were lucky enough to have Bordeaux wines from the vintages 1975, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979 and 1980 safely stored in your wine cellar, you would try to drink them in the same order, starting with the most elders, leaving the younger ones to age. RIGHT? Error. With some minor variations, the best order for drinking these particular vintages would probably be: 1977, 1980, 1976, 1979, 1978 and 1975.

The vintage business is complicated. Knowing Bordeaux vintages isn't much help when it comes to Burgundy, and Burgundy isn't going to provide too many clues about what's going on in the Rheingau or Tuscany or Napa Valley.

It is, of course, entirely possible to drink wine all your life and never worry about vintages. Probably 90 percent of all the world's wine is intended to be drunk within a year of being made. In fact, a lot of time is wasted worrying about vintages. People who can barely tell red wine from white are desperate to know if what they are drinking is from a good year. When they buy wine, they miss out on wonderful bottles and great deals because they assume they must have great vintages.

Two veterans of the California wine scene, Brother Timothy of the Christian Brothers and the late August Sebastiani of Sebastiani Vineyards, tried very hard to beat the vintage game and failed. Their theory: wines from different vintages should be blended to take advantage of the best qualities of varied years. They were right, of course, but the public would have none of that.

In fact, the only premium wine in the world that successfully ignores vintages is Champagne. Champagne makers routinely blend wines from six or seven vintages to achieve their distinctive styles. Even they make vintage wines, but only in certain years and even then, many Champenois insist that the blends are better.

Given our obsession with vintages, there are times when it's good to know a little more about them. For example, suppose the clerk tells you he has a sale on four-year-old Beaujolais. The way to tell the best year for simple Beaujolais is to look at a calendar. No matter what year you are in, last year’s Beaujolais is the best.

 

Collectors need to know something about vintages. What's worse than sitting on a cellar full of wine over the hill? Anyone who has preserved Bordeaux from 1967 or 1973 should definitely drink it. Wines from the 1950s, except for the big names, should all disappear. The same goes for everything about the 1960, 1962 and 1969 vintages. The 1963 and 1965 years were poor from the start, and there are only a few of them. The years 1968 were not much better. Some l964s are still good, others not; Many 1966s are still excellent if they have been well preserved. The great vintage of the 1960s was 1961. The best wines of the vintage, dark and concentrated, are still not ready to drink. There hasn't been a vintage like this since 1945, another great year.

The 1970s were, and are, very good and in many cases seem to be getting better. It was a great harvest and the vintage that served as an introduction to Bordeaux for many Americans. By the mid-1970s, there were plenty of 1970s, and for a while, at a bargain basement price. Anyone who stocked up on 1970 has every right to be complacent now. The 1971s were good, and some continue to be good. But they're not expected to improve much, and most people have already drunk them. The following year, 1972, was universally condemned upon its release and is generally credited with triggering the collapse of the Bordeaux wine market in 1973 and 1974. What happened was this: buyers drove the prices of the 1972 to astronomical heights. Then, while the wine was still in barrels, came the enormous 1973 vintage, a year of much better wine. Bordeaux was stuck with the 1972s.

In France, the years 1972 were treated less harshly. They still appear on lists, and they turn out to be, well, not so bad.

 

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Bordeaux

Bordeaux / The year 1979 partly repeated the 1978 vintage with a wet and cool spring, a hot summer, a cool and dry autumn. Dry whites did well this year while reds, particularly Cabernet Sauvignon, struggled to reach full physiological maturity. Once again, Mouton was a disappointment. The right bank did better with Merlot. The best wine of the vintage is the first Le Pin ever produced. Other excellent wines worth mentioning are La Mission Haut-Brion and Haut-Brion. Haut-Brion was a bargain at 200 euros. Sauternes wines also turned out to be quite good, the best of which was Yquem.

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Burgundy

Burgundy: Spring started rather cold, but in May, warmer weather arrived to get flowering off to a good start. Normal, warm summer conditions followed, with the exception of a severe local storm in June which minimized crop sizes in Vosne-Romanée and Chambolle-Musigny. The harvest began at the end of September. The fine, elegant wines were just a little sweeter than the '78s; The Côte de Beaune did particularly well.

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Champagne

A piercingly cold winter delayed the start of the growing season and was followed by a decidedly cool spring with some frosts in May. As a result, growth was subdued but initial flowering was good. The weather improved in June and July with nice sunshine and gentle heat creating excellent conditions for ripening. Despite rainfall during harvest, sugar and acidity levels remained high and disease pressure didn't mount too much of an assault, producing Champagnes of impressive character and length.

On top of quality, great quantity was also achieved, with an average crop of 11,061 kg/ha being picked between October 3rd and 31st. The Chardonnays were particularly successful and high-yielding. Krug Clos du Mesnil is sheer perfection, going from strength to strength over the years. There are plenty of great Champagnes still in outstanding form. They include Krug Vintage, Louis Roederer Cristal, as well as Lanson Vintage Collection and Noble Cuvée.

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California

The California 1979 wine vintage received positive reviews from the wine press and critics. It was a year marked by favorable weather conditions in many regions of California, contributing to wines that were generally praised for their quality and appeal. Here are some general observations that the wine press had about the California 1979 vintage:

  1. High Quality: The general consensus among wine critics was that California 1979 was a high-quality vintage. The favorable weather conditions throughout the growing season, including warm and dry periods, contributed to the overall quality of the wines.

  2. Ripe Fruit: One of the standout features of the vintage was the ripe and concentrated fruit flavors in the wines. Many California 1979 wines were noted for their luscious and well-developed fruit profiles, with an emphasis on rich, ripe berries and stone fruits.

  3. Balanced Structure: Critics often praised the wines for their balanced structure. The California 1979 wines typically exhibited good acidity, well-integrated tannins, and harmonious proportions, contributing to their overall appeal.

  4. Varietal Expression: Different grape varieties thrived during the vintage. For instance, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, and Zinfandel were frequently highlighted for producing outstanding wines that showcased their varietal characteristics.

  5. Age-Worthy: While the wines were approachable in their youth, many California 1979 wines were noted for their aging potential. The well-structured reds, in particular, were expected to evolve gracefully over time.

  6. Notable Producers: Several California wineries and producers received accolades for their wines from the 1979 vintage. These wines were often considered benchmarks for the year.

  7. Overall Enthusiasm: Critics and the wine press expressed enthusiasm for the vintage, and many wine enthusiasts and collectors sought out California 1979 wines for their cellars.

Overall, the California 1979 vintage was well-received and continues to be remembered as a successful year in California winemaking. It offered a range of wines that appealed to a broad spectrum of wine lovers, from those seeking approachable and fruit-forward options to those looking for age-worthy bottles with depth and complexity.

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Australia

The Australia 1979 wine vintage received generally positive reviews from the wine press and critics. It was a year characterized by favorable weather conditions in many regions of Australia, leading to wines that were often praised for their quality and appeal. Here are some general observations that the wine press had about the Australia 1979 vintage:

  1. High Quality: The consensus among wine critics was that Australia 1979 was a high-quality vintage. The favorable weather conditions throughout the growing season, including warm and dry periods, contributed to the overall quality of the wines.

  2. Fruit Ripeness: One of the standout features of the vintage was the ripe and concentrated fruit flavors in the wines. Many Australia 1979 wines were noted for their luscious and well-developed fruit profiles, with an emphasis on rich, ripe berries and stone fruits.

  3. Balanced Structure: Critics often praised the wines for their balanced structure. The Australia 1979 wines typically exhibited good acidity, well-integrated tannins, and harmonious proportions, contributing to their overall appeal.

  4. Varietal Expression: Different grape varieties thrived during the vintage. For instance, Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Chardonnay were frequently highlighted for producing outstanding wines that showcased their varietal characteristics.

  5. Age-Worthy: While the wines were approachable in their youth, many Australia 1979 wines were noted for their aging potential. The well-structured reds, in particular, were expected to evolve gracefully over time.

  6. Notable Producers: Several Australian wineries and producers received accolades for their wines from the 1979 vintage. These wines were often considered benchmarks for the year.

  7. Overall Enthusiasm: Critics and the wine press expressed enthusiasm for the vintage, and many wine enthusiasts and collectors sought out Australia 1979 wines for their cellars.

Overall, the Australia 1979 vintage was well-received and continues to be remembered as a successful year in Australian winemaking. It offered a range of wines that appealed to a broad spectrum of wine lovers, from those seeking approachable and fruit-forward options to those looking for age-worthy bottles with depth and complexity.

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The best wines of the 1979 vintage

Name Tb Producer Location
1 Vieilles Vignes Françaises 100 Bollinger Champagne, France
2 Cristal Vinothèque 100 Louis Roederer Champagne, France
3 Montrachet 100 Domaine Ramonet Burgundy, France
4 Krug Clos du Mesnil 99 Krug Champagne, France
5 Krug Collection 99 Krug Champagne, France
6 Krug Vintage 99 Krug Champagne, France
7 Comtes de Champagne Rosé 99 Taittinger Champagne, France
8 Cristal Rosé 99 Louis Roederer Champagne, France
9 Grand Vin Signature 99 Jacquesson Champagne, France
10 Blanc de Blancs 99 Krug Champagne, France
11 Hermitage La Chapelle 99 Paul Jaboulet & Âiné Rhône, France
12 Cristal 98 Louis Roederer Champagne, France
13 Comtes de Champagne 98 Taittinger Champagne, France
14 Dom Ruinart Rosé 98 Ruinart Champagne, France
15 Montrachet 98 Domaine de la Romanée-Conti Burgundy, France
16 Clos du Mesnil Vinothèque 98 Krug Champagne, France
17 Vintage Champagne 98 Bollinger Champagne, France
18 Grand Brut 98 Perrier-Jouët Champagne, France
19 Puligny-Montrachet Clos de la Mouchère 98 Henri Boillot Burgundy, France
20 Special Club 98 Launois Père & Fils Champagne, France
21 Salon 97 Salon Champagne, France
22 Clos des Goisses 97 Philipponnat Champagne, France
23 Sir Winston Churchill 97 Pol Roger Champagne, France
24 Belle Epoque 97 Perrier-Jouët Champagne, France
25 R.D. Bollinger 97 Bollinger Champagne, France
26 Les Chétillons Vinothèque 97 Pierre Peters Champagne, France
27 Batard-Montrachet 97 Domaine Ramonet Burgundy, France
28 La Grande Année 97 Bollinger Champagne, France
29 Chevalier-Montrachet 97 Domaine Leflaive Burgundy, France
30 Pol Roger vintage rosé 97 Pol Roger Champagne, France
31 Vintage 97 Louis Roederer Champagne, France
32 Dom Pérignon 97 Moët & Chandon Champagne, France
33 Cuvée R. Lalou 96 G.H. Mumm Champagne, France
34 Cuvée Louise 96 Pommery Champagne, France
35 Vintage 96 Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin Champagne, France
36 Pol Roger vintage 96 Pol Roger Champagne, France
37 Blue top 96 Heidsieck & Co Monopole Champagne, France
38 Champagne Charlie 96 Charles Heidsieck Champagne, France
39 Cuvée des Enchanteleurs 96 Champagne Henriot Champagne, France
40 Royale Réserve Vintage 96 Philipponnat Champagne, France
41 Eisele Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 96 Joseph Phelps Napa Valley, United States
42 Brut Souverain 96 Champagne Henriot Champagne, France
43 Vinothèque Blanc de Blancs 96 Deutz Champagne, France
44 Bienvenue-Batard-Montrachet 96 Domaine Ramonet Burgundy, France
45 Le Pin 95 Le Pin Bordeaux, France
46 Collection 95 Lanson Champagne, France
47 Romanée Conti 95 Domaine de la Romanée-Conti Burgundy, France
48 Château Gilette 95 Château Gilette Bordeaux, France
49 Château Margaux 95 Château Margaux Bordeaux, France
50 Richebourg 95 Domaine de la Romanée-Conti Burgundy, France
51 Bonnes Mares Grand Cru 95 Domaine Georges Roumier Burgundy, France
52 Millésime 95 Champagne Henriot Champagne, France
53 Brut Millésimé 95 Charles Heidsieck Champagne, France
54 Richebourg 95 Joseph Drouhin Burgundy, France
55 Goût Américain 95 Heidsieck & Co Monopole Champagne, France
56 Champagne Charlie Vinothèque 95 Charles Heidsieck Champagne, France
57 Vintage 95 Pommery Champagne, France
58 Brut Millésimé 95 Laurent-Perrier Champagne, France
59 Brut Millésimé 95 Alfred Gratien Champagne, France
60 Mesnillésime 95 Guy Charlemagne Champagne, France
61 Millésime 95 Champagne Mailly Grand Cru Champagne, France
62 Clos de la Roche 95 Domaine Ponsot Burgundy, France
63 Musigny 94 Domaine Comte Georges de Vogüé Burgundy, France
64 Cordon Rouge vintage 94 G.H. Mumm Champagne, France
65 Vintage Brut 94 Lanson Champagne, France
66 Cuvée William Deutz 94 Deutz Champagne, France
67 Cave Privée Rosé 94 Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin Champagne, France
68 Domaine de Chevalier Blanc 94 Domaine de Chevalier Pessac Leognan, France
69 Martha's Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 94 Heitz Cellar Napa Valley, United States
70 Château Haut-Brion Blanc 94 Château Haut-Brion Bordeaux, France
71 Vin de Princes 94 De Venoge Champagne, France
72 Belle Epoque Rosé 94 Perrier-Jouët Champagne, France
73 Vintage 94 Besserat de Bellefon Champagne, France
74 Hermitage 94 Domaine Jean-Louis Chave Rhône, France
75 Vieux Chateau Certan 94 Vieux Château Certan Bordeaux, France
76 Chateau Ducru-Beaucaillou 94 Château Ducru-Beaucaillou Bordeaux, France
77 Chevalier-Montrachet Les Demoiselles 94 Louis Jadot Burgundy, France
78 Hochheimer Domedechaney Riesling Auslese 94 Kloster Eberbach Rheingau, Germany
79 Château Climens 94 Château Climens Bordeaux, France
80 Château Cos d'Estournel 94 Château Cos d'Estournel Bordeaux, France
81 Brut Millésimé 94 Paul Bara Champagne, France
82 Sassicaia 93 Tenuta San Guido Tuscany, Italy
83 d'Yquem 93 Château d'Yquem Bordeaux, France
84 Special Selection Cabernet Sauvignon 93 Caymus Vineyards Napa Valley, United States
85 La Grande Dame 93 Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin Champagne, France
86 Château Laville Haut-Brion 93 Château Laville Haut-Brion Pessac Leognan, France
87 Dom Ruinart 93 Ruinart Champagne, France
88 Brut Millésimé 93 Heidsieck & Co Monopole Champagne, France
89 Sonnenuhr Auslese Riesling 93 Weingut S. A. Prüm Mosel, Germany
90 Mount Eden Vineyards Estate Chardonnay 93 Mount Eden Vineyards Santa Cruz Mountains, United States
91 Château Haut-Bailly 93 Château Haut-Bailly Pessac Leognan, France
92 Barbaresco Bricco Asili 93 Ceretto Piedmont, Italy
93 Rouge 93 Château Musar Bekaa Valley, Lebanon
94 Clos-de-Vougeot 93 Château de la Tour Burgundy, France
95 Château Pape Clément 93 Château Pape Clément Bordeaux, France
96 Graacher Himmelreich 93 Weingut J. J. Prüm Mosel, Germany
97 Vintage 93 Piper-Heidsieck Champagne, France
98 Hill of Grace 0 Henschke Eden Valley, Australia
99 Château Musar 92 Château Musar Bekaa Valley, Lebanon
100 Château Latour 92 Château Latour Bordeaux, France
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