Vintages should only be used as a general
guide. They only really apply to the very best wines where personality
can vary. Some wine-producing countries and regions show very little
change in consistency from one year to the next. Regions in northerly
areas, deemed as cool climate, or those which are subject to marginal
climates, show much more variation over a given period.
Vintage Ratings
1-3 Poor vintages. Only the top properties
are likely to have made reasonable wines.
4-7 Average to above average. Some red
wines may be more accessible in youth.
8-10 Great to outstanding
France - Alsace
Vintage
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
9
2
5
6
7
5
7
7
7
6
9
8
Bordeaux - Bordeaux wines are mostly
blended with the grape varieties which ripen at different times. The
Merlot-dominated Right Bank should be viewed separately to the
Cabernet-dominated Left Bank.
Vintage
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
Red
Wines (Médoc/Left Bank
10
3
1
4
6
8
9
5
6
7
10
7
Red
Wines (St Emilion Pomerol/Right Bank)
10
1
3
4
6
8
7
5
10
7
10
7
Dry
Whites
8
4
5
4
8
7
8
6
8
8
8
9
Sweet
Whites
10
3
1
1
3
5
9
9
8
8
4
10
Earlier successful sweet white vintages.
Vintage
1989
1988
1986
1985
1983
8
9
9
8
9
Burgundy
Vintage
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
White
6
7
5
4
5
8
8
7
5
8
7
8
Red
9
8
5
7
5
7
7
7
6
9
6
4
Chablis
-
-
-
-
-
8
9
7
6
8
9
3
Beaujolais
-
-
-
-
-
7
4
5
4
9
9
4
France - The Loire Valley
Vintage
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
Dry
White
8
9
5
6
7
8
6
Red
8
9
7
5
7
7
5
Sweet
Wine
8
9
8
5
5
6
7
Earlier successful sweet wine vintages
1985
1986
1988
1989
1990
8
8
8
9
9
The Rhône Valley
Vintage
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
North
10
8
1
2
6
7
6
8
9
10
8
8
South
10
4
3
4
6
7
5
5
10
8
9
8
Champagne - Only the best
vintages are listed and those which are likely to be still available or
maturing in cellar.
Vintage
1985
1988
1989
1990
1995
1996
9
9
8
9
8
9
Germany - The late 1980s
and the 1990s was an extremely favorable period for German wines. Wines
from the Riesling grape have the capacity to age very well.