1957

Bordeaux: The weather conditions in Bordeaux during the 1957 growing season were mixed. The year began with a cold winter and a late spring, which delayed budbreak and flowering. While the summer months were relatively warm and dry, they were also marked by periods of rainfall. This inconsistent weather had a significant impact on grape ripening and overall quality.

Bordeaux 1957 Reds: The red wines of Bordeaux from the 1957 vintage are often considered to be of moderate quality. The wines typically display a ruby-red color with some showing signs of aging, such as a slight brick or garnet rim. On the nose, they offer aromas of red berries, dried herbs, and hints of tobacco and cedar.

In the mouth, the 1957 Bordeaux reds are characterized by their medium body and relatively mild tannins. The acidity is generally balanced, but the wines lack the depth and concentration that are found in exceptional Bordeaux vintages. While some wines from this vintage have aged gracefully, others may have reached or passed their peak, making it important to choose bottles carefully.

Bordeaux 1957 Whites: The white wines of Bordeaux from the 1957 vintage also produced mixed results. The wines typically have a pale to medium gold color with aromas of citrus, green apple, and a touch of honey. While they may lack the complexity and depth of some other vintages, the best examples have retained their freshness and vibrancy over the years.

Overall Impressions: The Bordeaux 1957 vintage is generally regarded as a moderate vintage in terms of quality. While it may not have reached the heights of some of the region's legendary years, it still produced wines that can offer enjoyable drinking experiences, especially when carefully selected bottles from reputable producers are chosen.

Burgundy: Firm and intensely flavoured wines, acidity less marked than in Bordeaux.

Low temperatures in spring resulted in late flowering. After a warm start to summer, August and September were cool and rainy. The resulting wines were tight with pronounced acidity, which needed time to soften. It's this acidic backbone which has kept them alive to this day — now fully mature, the fruit shows itself better.

The 1957 Italian vintage is a strong candidate for "vintage of the decade" in what was a run of strong vintages between 1954 and 1958. The major regions of Tuscany and Piedmont produced rich, full-bodied wines. The 1957 wines are ripe but heavyweights such as Brunello and Barolos will keep for many years to come.