{"api":{"host":"https:\/\/pinot.decanter.com","authorization":"Bearer Y2NjMGYzOGI5ZTQyNjY2Y2MwZGQ4Y2I4M2JhMzAzODgyNzk5Y2VjMmM0ZDZhYjcwNTZhZDFmMzMzYWQ4MmJjNQ","version":"2.0"},"piano":{"sandbox":"false","aid":"6qv8OniKQO","rid":"RJXC8OC","offerId":"OFPHMJWYB8UK","offerTemplateId":"OFPHMJWYB8UK","wcTemplateId":"OTOW5EUWVZ4B"}}

1988 vintage guide for Medoc and Graves

drink soon

First of a run of three classic vintages in Bordeaux

Weather Conditions

An exceptionally damp winter and spring, although there were no frosts during the latter. These conditions were prolonged right through June, and flowering took place under less than ideal conditions. Temperatures throughout summer were close to the average, but there was less rainfall than usual. Harvesting conditions were fine, but the uneven ripening of the different grape varieties caused problems for many of the growers. This was the first in a run of three very good years in Bordeaux. Many Medoc properties picked Cabernet Sauvignon early, producing wines with relatively high levels of tannin and acidity. Those with sufficient fruit to see them through will last for another ten-15 years.

Best Appellations

Best Producers

(Pauillac) Lafite, Latour, Lynch-Bages, Mouton, Pichon-Longueville-Baron, Pichon-Longueville-Comtesse de Lalande. (Graves) The finest wines of the vintage come from the Graves, especially Domaine de Chevalier, Haut-Bailly, Haut-Brion, La Louviere, La Mission, and Pape-Clement.

Latest Wine News