Esme's Initial 2016 Vintage Report

Ahead of our visit to Bordeaux at the start of April to assess the 2016 vintage, I have put together an initial report of last year's offering, plus what we can expect from the wines.

The 2016 growing season started badly with a wet spring and mildew – but it got better and better…and better and ended with a fabulous late harvest with ripe fruit in perfect condition throughout all Bordeaux.

All the major grape varieties – Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc – were successful and overall the quantity produced was above average, which should (repeat should) mean that prices are stable (although of course for us sterling has weakened by 10% + against the euro). Comparisons are already being made with the 2015 vintage with ‘nonidentical twins’ being mentioned. Whether is better than 2015 remains to be seen but it is certainly up there as somewhere between a very good vintage and a really great vintage

In years like this there is often much value to be found from left bank to right……more to follow when we visit Bordeaux at the start of April.

Esme – March 2017