1949

1949 After many years of misery through the Depression and World War 11, post-war prosperity begins to take hold with businesses now able to supply cars, televisions and other goods demanded in a consumer society. Cars have become bigger, televisions have become larger, with some 6.2 million new cars sold in the United States and nearly 10 million televisions in American homes, A new type of television program has emerged that we now let's cal...

In Bordeaux, the decade culminated in the hot year of 1949, when Bordeaux was hit by an unprecedented period of drought. Cold, rainy weather had hampered germination, resulting in an exceptionally uneven distribution of pollen. This, in turn, led to a record harvest. With the arrival of summer, Bordeaux was subjected to a heatwave like it had never seen before. Temperatures of up to 43°C have been recorded in Médoc. Early September brought massive thunderstorms followed by a period of ideal weather, which lasted until harvest at the end of the month. The already small harvest was made even smaller, but it produced an incredibly juicy wine that was extremely delicious even at a young age. The wines themselves have more backbone and are more elegant than the 1947 vintage. Indeed, these lack the concentration found in the 1945. Mouton-Rothschild, however, is a capable challenger even of the best 1945 and 1947, with its ample body and balance. The dry white wines produced were also exceptional, although no longer very drinkable. Conversely, the Sauternes grapes picked at the end of a record dry October produced unique and noble wines.

By Tb

Australia / Good rains during the growing season and cold weather at fruit set were followed by a wet February, but the rains eased in March and April in time for the vintage. In 1949 there were 7,654 hectares of vines in the Barossa and 34,603 tonnes of wine grapes were crushed in that vintage. Local prices have increased per gallon for clarets, sherries, muscats and tokay.

Bordeaux Vintage Report by Château Margaux / 1949 est l’un des millésimes les plus concentrés de Château Margaux; Une telle puissance tannique n’est réapparue qu’en 1961, puis à nouveau en 1986. Sa couleur est magnifique, dense, très profonde, encore jeune. Le nez est riche, propre, mais n’a pas la même finesse que d’autres grands millésimes plus classiques, tels que 1953, 1955 et 1959. La puissance transparaît vraiment en bouche; On sent à quel point les tanins sont concentrés, et ceux-ci donnent encore au vin une fermeté, voire une astringence, ce qui est surprenant dans un vin de cet âge. La finale manque un peu de douceur, mais généralement c’est un vin remarquable. Il est difficile de dire s’il doit être bu maintenant ou gardé... Nous pensons que ce vin a un potentiel d’amélioration, mais peut-être qu’il finira aussi par se dessécher un peu. Alors, peut-être vaudrait-il mieux le boire ! (Septembre 2002)

Météo
Une année sèche et particulièrement chaude, particulièrement en juillet et août. On s’en souvient longtemps pour les grands incendies dans la forêt landaise qui ont coûté la vie à des dizaines de personnes. (La cueillette a commencé le 28 septembre)