A wine vintage is simply the year the grapes were harvested — but behind that single date lies an entire growing season of sunshine, rain, frost, heat waves and human décisions. Weather is the dominant factor: a warm, dry summer with a long, even ripening period produces rich, ripe, concentrated wines. A wet, cool year yields lighter, more acidic bottles that can age well but rarely command the same prices. Understanding vintages helps you buy at the right price, drink at the right time, and avoid costly mistakes with aged bottles.
Great Récent Vintages in Key French Régions
In Bordeaux, the legendary modern vintages are 2005, 2009, 2010 and 2016 — all producing wines of extraordinary concentration and structure that will age for 30 to 50 years in top estates. More recently, 2018, 2019 and 2022 have been hailed as exceptional across both banks. For Burgundy, 2015 and 2019 stand out for their combination of richness and freshness in both reds and whites. The Rhone Valley shone in 2010, 2015 and 2019, particularly for Chateauneuf-du-Pape and Hermitage. The Loire and Alsace régions had outstanding results in 2018, 2019 and 2021, with perfectly ripe grapes and excellent natural acidity.
How to Use Vintage Information When Buying
Vintage charts are a useful starting point but should not be followed blindly. A great vintage from a weak producer may disappoint; a difficult year in the hands of a talented, meticulous winemaker can produce a genuinely beautiful, distinctive wine. The 2011 and 2013 Burgundies, for example, were written off by many critics but now drink beautifully with a few years of bottle age. Read the producer as carefully as the vintage. For wines intended to be drunk within two to three years of purchase, vintage matters less than for bottles you plan to cellar. For aged wines, check the vintage, check the storage history, and if in doubt, ask our team. We provide vintage notes for every bottle in our sélection to help you make an informed décision every time.
