Download word document

Vintage Guides

Region Rating Drinkability Style
California Cabernet Sauvignon starstarstarstarstar drink soon In the best cases from Napa and Mendocino, well-structured wines with deep flavour concentration offer excellent aging potential
California Merlot starstarstarstarstar drink soon From the best appellations and producers, the Merlot is very ripe and concentrated with good aging potential
Germany starstarstarstarstar keep Fresh, fruity white wines with pronounced aromas; good colour and density are the hallmarks of this vintage’s red wines
Italy Piedmont starstarstarstarstar keep Well balanced wines with ripe fruit
Italy Tuscany starstarstarstarstar keep Concentrated wines of complexity and length with significant aging potential
Medoc and Graves starstarstarstarstar drink soon Whites of good fruit concentration and refreshing acidity; classic reds with some aging potential
Oregon Pinot Noir starstarstarstarstar drink soon Ripe style of Pinot Noir
Red Australia starstarstarstarstar keep Classic Australian reds showing clear varietal character offer good value for money this year given the country’s current wine glut
Red Burgundy starstarstarstarstar keep Fairly structured, crisp wines that will be slow to mature
Red Rhone starstarstarstarstar drink now Well-balanced wines with good purity of fruit in Southern Rhône. Less consistency from Northern Rhône, ranging from fresh and rounded to crisp and green. For early drinking.
Red South Africa starstarstarstarstar drink soon Variable wines. Some will be elegant with higher acidity and lower alcohol than those from more classic South African vintages; others will be fuller bodied and robust
Red South America starstarstarstarstar drink soon Classic wines of powerful fruit intensity and good structure from Chile as well as Argentina
Saint-Emilion and Pomerol starstarstarstarstar keep Deeply coloured wines with good structure
Sauternes and Barsac starstarstarstarstar keep Balanced wine rich in botrytis from better producers who selected for noble rot affected fruit
Spain Rioja starstarstarstarstar drink soon Wines with high alcohol and concentrated colour and aromas ideal for ageing
Vintage Champagne starstarstarstarstar keep Outstanding quality with excellent balance of fruit and acidity
Vintage Port starstarstarstarstar keep A good year after a bad start.
Washington State Cabernet Sauvignon starstarstarstarstar keep Full-bodied wines with rich, ripe flavours.
Washington State Merlot starstarstarstarstar drink soon Dark coloured wines with velvety texture and ripe fruit.
White Burgundy starstarstarstarstar drink now At best, good wines - but not great with firm to racy acidity.