Vintage Report & Recommendations

Bordeaux 2007 - An Innovative Vintage

The 2007 vintage will most likely be one of the most discussed in recent history. Not only for its astounding and lengthy growing cycle, but as one where technology, savoir faire and determination to succeed came together like never before. It was a year where innovative techniques in viticulture and winemaking shone.  For many châteaux, it was the most expensive vintage ever to produce due to all the extra effort.

Though all communes found some success, those areas that tended to fare best overall had better draining and warmer soils. Cabernet Sauvignon is the definite stand out variety as it was less ripe when the rains struck and as a result was less diluted than Merlot. Accordingly, most of the top wines contain a higher percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon than normal. Luckily there was less rain on the Right Bank where Merlot dominants though full ripeness was still not obvious. 

The Wines

So, how do the wines measure up?  Basile Tesseron of Lafon Rochet felt that the upfront fruity character was reminiscent of 1999 and 2004. Though Paul Pontallier of Margaux did not compare specific vintage characteristics, he commented that the quality of his 2007 was better than both 2001 and 2002 and was equivalent to 2004. 

Stylistically, many wines are velvety, upfront and fruit forward. Generally, the fruit is dark with lots of black cherry, plum and even liquorice.  With time, these flavours will most likely transform into ‘classic’ Claret notes of leather and tobacco that many seek out in those wines from previous decades.

For white and sweet wines, however, it is another story. Though the difficult vintage conditions did challenge the red varieties to ripen, the white varieties captured the cool weather and retained their racy acidity. They are beautifully balanced and will be highly appreciated by those enthusiasts who look for crisp, mineral-driven and thirst-quenching wines.

Sauternes had one of the best vintages in the last 10 years. Yquem compared 2007’s vintage conditions to 1997, an excellent year with lots of botrytis. This will be the vintage to stock up on these charmers even if it’s just one case.  Not just for its innate quality but the fact that they offer some of the best values in Bordeaux.

Our Recommendations

Wines of the vintage (at the upper end of pricing scale):
Margaux, Mouton Rothschild, Latour, Haut Brion, Lafite, Léoville Las Cases, Cos d’Estournel, Palmer, Ducru Beaucaillou, Ausone, Cheval Blanc, Le Pin, l’Evangile, Vieux Chateau Certan, Figeac, Haut Brion Blanc, d’Yquem.

Recommended wines of the vintage (combining good quality with sensible pricing):
Lynch Bages, Langoa Barton, Pontet Canet, Pichon Baron, Leoville Poyferré, Calon Ségur, GruaudLarose, d’Armailhac, Pavillon Rouge, d’Issan, Talbot, Grand Puy Lacoste, Domaine de Chevalier, HautBailly, Domaine de Chevalier Blanc, Doisy Daëne, Guiraud, La Tour Blanche, Doisy Védrines.

Recommended value wines of the vintage:
Lafon Rochet, Haut Batailley, Poujeaux, Beaumont, Cruzelles, Fonbel, Malartic Lagravière, Filhot