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 Many notable technological advances occurred in 1981, one of the most exciting was the first flight of the Space Shuttle Columbia. It was also the first year that Word Internet was mentioned and MS-DOS was released by Microsoft with the first IBM PC. On the world stage, events that captured the imagination included the marriage of Lady Diana Spencer to Charles the Prince of Wales. In politics, a little-known group before Solidarnosc inspires popular protests and a general strike in Poland and the government in the United Kingdom begins the process of privatizing nationalized industries which is then followed by many other countries around the world.

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Bordeaux

Bordeaux 1981 /The small but high quality vintage of 1981 was overshadowed by the superb 1982. Hot, dry weather began from flowering and continued until September, when occasional rains occurred until until the harvest is completed in good conditions at the beginning of October. Generally speaking, the reds produced were elegant, moderately light and delicate wines in all appellations. The dry whites were of average quality and Sauternes was actually better than the following year 1982. Although this year is often considered modest, some good wines emerged. These include Margaux and Cheval Blanc.

 

The Bordeaux 1981 wine vintage received mixed reviews from the wine press and critics. It was a year characterized by variable weather conditions and uneven ripening, leading to wines of varying quality across different appellations and producers. 

 

  1. Variable Quality: One of the prevailing themes in reviews of Bordeaux 1981 was the highly variable quality of the wines. Some estates and appellations managed to produce wines of charm and balance, while others struggled with underripe grapes and less favorable conditions.

  2. Tannic Structure: Many Bordeaux 1981 wines were noted for their tannic structure. The tannins were sometimes described as firm or astringent, suggesting that some wines would require extended aging to soften and develop complexity.

  3. Early Drinking: While some Bordeaux 1981 wines were considered suitable for aging, others were recommended for earlier consumption. Critics often pointed out that certain wines were more approachable and enjoyable in their youth, with fruit-forward profiles.

  4. Elegance and Finesse: Despite the challenges of the vintage, some Bordeaux 1981 wines were praised for their elegance and finesse. These wines were often seen as examples of the winemaker's skill in a challenging year.

  5. Right Bank vs. Left Bank: There were distinctions between the wines of the Right Bank (Saint-Émilion and Pomerol) and the Left Bank (Medoc, Pauillac, etc.). Generally, the Right Bank wines were regarded as having performed better in 1981, with more consistent ripeness and structure.

  6. Notable Producers: Certain Bordeaux estates and producers were highlighted for their success in the vintage. These wines were often considered benchmarks for Bordeaux 1981.

  7. Aging Potential: While some Bordeaux 1981 wines were viewed as having the potential to age gracefully and improve with time, others were seen as wines best consumed in their prime to capture their youthful fruitfulness.

  8. Overall Assessment: The general consensus was that Bordeaux 1981 was not a standout vintage on par with some of the region's legendary years. However, it was also not a uniformly poor vintage; there were good wines to be found for those who selected carefully.

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Champagne

Champagne:  Challenging weather conditions left a small harvest and kept the producers in suspense up until the final moments. The final result was a good but very scarce vintage.

    The mild spring woke up the vines from their winter sleep early, and vegetal growth began early in the spring. Unfortunately, heavy night frosts came in April and damaged the young sprouts. The situation only got worse when in May hailstorms damaged the vineyards. After this, the weather stayed cold, and the vines did not flower until July. In general, Chardonnay succeeded better than the red varieties in the flowering phase. August and September brought belief back to the producers, when the weather turned hot and sunny. Grapes matured in record speed, and it was possible to do the harvest right before the late September rains. As a result of previous lean harvest years, producers confirmed the sufficiency of non-vintage blends, and a large part of this vintage’s wines ended up as blend wines.

Thankfully, some of the producers also produced vintage champagnes. The have generally proven to be balanced and even excellent. The wines still have posture, elegance and concentration, even though the wines do not improve further in the cellar. The best experiences this year have been produced by Krug, whose blend exceptionally is half Chardonnay. For friends of Pinot Noir, the best win

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California

1981 marked one of the earliest harvests in Napa Valley history.

California, known for its diverse wine regions and varietals, has a history of producing wines that have gained global recognition. The 1981 vintage in California is remembered as a year that produced wines of notable quality, characterized by their richness and complexity.

The weather conditions in California during the 1981 growing season played a significant role in shaping the character of the vintage. The year began with a cool and wet winter, followed by a mild spring. Summer brought warm and dry weather, allowing the grapes to ripen gradually and evenly. The harvest took place under clear skies, with grapes reaching optimal ripeness.

California Reds 1981: The red wines of California from the 1981 vintage are known for their richness, depth, and aging potential.

Appearance: The 1981 California reds typically exhibit a deep garnet-red color with signs of aging that reflect their considerable time in bottle.

Nose: On the nose, the 1981 California reds offer a complex bouquet with aromas of blackberries, dark cherries, cedar, tobacco, and subtle hints of vanilla and spices. The aromatic profile is lush and enticing.

Palate: In the mouth, the 1981 California reds are marked by their full body and structured tannins. The wines have a velvety and opulent texture. Flavors of ripe blackberries, cassis, plum, and nuances of chocolate and oak intermingle harmoniously, creating a rich and enduring finish. These wines are beautifully balanced and showcase the character of California's terroir and winemaking expertise.

California Whites 1981: The white wines of California from the 1981 vintage also display notable qualities. Chardonnay, in particular, thrived during this year, producing wines with richness and complexity. These whites often have a golden color and offer aromas of ripe orchard fruits, citrus, and subtle oak-driven notes.

Overall Impressions: The California 1981 vintage is celebrated for the quality and richness of its wines, particularly the reds. While it may not be considered one of the greatest vintages in California's history, it stands out for producing wines of notable quality and aging potential. These wines have aged gracefully and continue to captivate wine enthusiasts with their complexity and character. 

 

The California 1981 wine vintage received generally positive reviews from the press and wine critics. While it may not have been hailed as one of the greatest vintages in California's history, it was recognized for producing wines of notable quality and character. Here are some sentiments and observations that the press had about the California 1981 vintage:

  1. Richness and Complexity: Critics often noted the richness and complexity of the California 1981 wines, particularly the reds. Many wines were praised for their depth of flavor and the intricate layers of aromas and tastes they offered.

  2. Fruit Concentration: The vintage was acknowledged for its excellent fruit concentration, with ripe and well-developed flavors. Wines frequently showcased the ripe fruit profiles that California is known for.

  3. Structure and Aging Potential: The red wines, in particular, were recognized for their structure and aging potential. Critics noted that these wines had the tannins and acidity necessary to age gracefully over time, making them appealing to collectors.

  4. Varietal Expression: Different grape varieties thrived during the vintage. For instance, Chardonnay was highlighted for producing rich and complex white wines, while Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot were praised for their robust and age-worthy reds.

  5. Balanced Winemaking: Winemakers were commended for their balanced approach to winemaking in 1981, resulting in wines that were not overly manipulated but allowed the terroir and grape characteristics to shine.

  6. Notable Producers: Several California wineries and producers received accolades for their wines from the 1981 vintage. These wines were often considered benchmarks for the vintage.

  7. Overall Quality: While it may not have reached the heights of some legendary vintages, the California 1981 vintage was generally seen as a successful and noteworthy year that offered a wide range of high-quality wines.

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Vintage Report

1981 Vintage by Chateau Palmer:

Flowering was even thanks to ideal weather conditions and although July was cold and wet, the good weather then set in and continued until harvest time, bringing everyone to believe that it would be an excellent vintage. Unfortunately, the picking was interrupted by two periods of rain which resulted in some dilution. 1981 was a very good vintage, if not excellent. The wines are often described as "classic", having good color, good balance and medium body.

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The best wines of the 1981 vintage

Name Tb Producer Location
1 Comtes de Champagne Vinothèque 97 Taittinger Champagne, France
2 Krug Clos du Mesnil 96 Krug Champagne, France
3 Montrachet 96 Domaine de la Romanée-Conti Burgundy, France
4 Bâtard-Montrachet 96 Domaine Étienne Sauzet Burgundy, France
5 Vina Tondonia Gran Reserva 95 Lopez de Heredia Rioja, Spain
6 Vieilles Vignes Françaises 95 Bollinger Champagne, France
7 Cristal Rosé 95 Louis Roederer Champagne, France
8 Château Haut-Brion Blanc 95 Château Haut-Brion Bordeaux, France
9 Ridge Monte Bello Cabernet Sauvignon 95 Ridge Vineyards Santa Cruz, United States
10 Meursault Clos-de-la-barre 95 Domaine des Comtes Lafon Burgundy, France
11 Amarone della Valpolicella Classico 95 Bertani Verona, Italy
12 Hermitage 95 Paul Etienne Rhône, France
13 Chateau Ducru-Beaucaillou 95 Château Ducru-Beaucaillou Bordeaux, France
14 Echezeaux 95 Henri Jayer Burgundy, France
15 Cristal 94 Louis Roederer Champagne, France
16 Krug Collection 94 Krug Champagne, France
17 Krug Vintage 94 Krug Champagne, France
18 Vina Real Gran Reserva 0 C.V.N.E /Cune Rioja, Spain
19 Unico 94 Bodegas Vega Sicilia Ribera el Duero, Spain
20 Vinothèque Blanc de Blancs 94 Deutz Champagne, France
21 Brunello di Montalcino 94 Soldera Montalcino, Italy
22 Blanc de Blancs 94 Deutz Champagne, France
23 Barolo Monfortino Riserva 94 Giacomo Conterno Piedmont, Italy
24 R.D. Bollinger 94 Bollinger Champagne, France
25 Romanée Conti 94 Domaine de la Romanée-Conti Burgundy, France
26 Grange Hermitage 93 Penfolds South Australia, Australia
27 Le Pin 93 Le Pin Bordeaux, France
28 Pétrus 93 Château Pétrus Pomerol, France
29 Château Gilette 93 Château Gilette Bordeaux, France
30 Champagne Charlie Vinothèque 93 Charles Heidsieck Champagne, France
31 Comtes de Champagne Rosé 93 Taittinger Champagne, France
32 Grands Echézeaux 93 Domaine de la Romanée-Conti Burgundy, France
33 Comtes de Champagne 93 Taittinger Champagne, France
34 Hill of Grace 93 Henschke Eden Valley, Australia
35 La Collection Crayères Millésime Brut 93 Charles Heidsieck Champagne, France
36 Château Musar 93 Château Musar Bekaa Valley, Lebanon
37 Château Cos d'Estournel 93 Château Cos d'Estournel Bordeaux, France
38 Eitelsbacher Karthäuserhofberg 93 Weingut Karthäuserhof Ruwer, Germany
39 Mas de Daumas Gassac Rouge 93 Mas de Daumas Gassac Languedoc-Roussillon, France
40 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Le Secret des Sabon 93 Roger Sabon Rhône, France
41 Lafleur 93 Château Lafleur Bordeaux, France
42 Vieux Chateau Certan 93 Vieux Château Certan Bordeaux, France
43 Royal Riserva 93 Bodegas Franco-Espanolas Rioja, Spain
44 Champagne Charlie 92 Charles Heidsieck Champagne, France
45 Lafite-Rothschild 92 Château Lafite-Rothschild Bordeaux, France
46 Martha's Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 92 Heitz Cellar Napa Valley, United States
47 Mount Edelstone 92 Henschke Eden Valley, Australia
48 Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Spätlese 92 Weingut J. J. Prüm Mosel, Germany
49 Late Bottled Vintage 92 Niepoort Douro, Portugal
50 Vintage Brut 92 Lanson Champagne, France
51 d'Yquem 91 Château d'Yquem Bordeaux, France
52 Brut Millésimé 91 Charles Heidsieck Champagne, France
53 Dom Ruinart 91 Ruinart Champagne, France
54 Aszu 6 puttonyos 91 Tokaj Oremus Estate Tokaj-Hegyalja, Hungary
55 Château Climens 91 Château Climens Bordeaux, France
56 Château Rauzan-Ségla 91 Château Rauzan-Ségla Bordeaux, France
57 Cabernet Merlot 91 Cullen Wines Margaret River, Australia
58 Montrachet 91 Domaine des Comtes Lafon Burgundy, France
59 Mas La Plana Cabernet Sauvignon 91 Torres Penedès, Spain
60 Verdelho Madeira 91 Pereira d’Oliveira Madeira, Portugal
61 Chardonnay Reserve 91 Robert Mondavi Winery Napa Valley, United States
62 Château Mouton-Rothschild 90 Château Mouton-Rothschild Bordeaux, France
63 Cheval Blanc 90 Château Cheval Blanc Bordeaux, France
64 Côte-Rôtie La Mouline 90 E.Guigal Rhône, France
65 La Mission Haut Brion 90 Château La Mission Haut-Brion Bordeaux, France
66 Château Latour 90 Château Latour Bordeaux, France
67 Château Margaux 90 Château Margaux Bordeaux, France
68 Cuvee Baccarat 90 Champagne Henriot Champagne, France
69 Montrachet 90 Maison Louis Latour Burgundy, France
70 Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande 90 Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande Bordeaux, France
71 Brut Royal 90 Pommery Champagne, France
72 Rubicon 90 Inglenook Napa Valley, United States
73 Barbaresco 90 Gaja Barbaresco, Italy
74 Beaune Clos des Couchereaux 1er Cru 90 Louis Jadot Burgundy, France
75 Domaine de Chevalier Blanc 90 Domaine de Chevalier Pessac Leognan, France
76 Chateau Lynch-Bages 90 Château Lynch-Bages Pauillac, France
77 La Tâche 90 Domaine de la Romanée-Conti Burgundy, France
78 Beaulieu Georges de Latour Private Reserve 90 Beaulieu Vineyards Napa Valley, United States
79 Trotanoy 90 Château Trotanoy Bordeaux, France
80 Tertre Roteboeuf 90 Château Tertre Roteboeuf Bordeaux, France
81 Flacon D'Exception 89 Pommery Champagne, France
82 Château Smith Haut Lafitte Blanc 89 Château Smith Haut Lafitte Bordeaux, France
83 890 Gran Reserva 89 La Rioja Alta Rioja, Spain
84 Montrose 89 Château Montrose Bordeaux, France
85 Château Coutet 0 Château Coutet Sauternes, France
86 Verdelho Reserva 89 D'Oliveiras Madeira Madeira, Portugal
87 Cabernet Sauvignon 89 Petaluma South Australia, Australia
88 Château Palmer 88 Château Palmer Bordeaux, France
89 Sassicaia 88 Tenuta San Guido Tuscany, Italy
90 Tignanello 88 Antinori Tuscany, Italy
91 Mazoyeres-Chambertin Grand Cru 88 Camus Père & Fils Bourgogne, France
92 Château Canon 88 Château Canon Bordeaux, France
93 Château Brane-Cantenac 88 Château Brane-Cantenac Bordeaux, France
94 Domaine de Chevalier 88 Domaine de Chevalier Pessac Leognan, France
95 Hardy's Nottage Hill Cabernet Shiraz 88 Thomas Hardy & Sons South Australia, Australia
96 Château Haut-Brion 88 Château Haut-Brion Bordeaux, France
97 Château Smith Haut Lafitte 88 Château Smith Haut Lafitte Bordeaux, France
98 Millésime 88 Champagne Henriot Champagne, France
99 Richebourg 88 Domaine de la Romanée-Conti Burgundy, France
100 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva 87 Biondi Santi Tuscany, Italy
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