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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.
| Vintage |
1989 |
1990 |
1991 |
1992 |
1993 |
1994 |
1995 |
1996 |
1997 |
1998 |
1999 |
2000 |
2001 |
| Mosel |
9 |
9 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
8 |
9 |
7 |
9 |
8 |
9 |
7 |
10 |
| Rhine |
8 |
9 |
6 |
7 |
7 |
6 |
8 |
8 |
9 |
8 |
9 |
7 |
9 |
Italy - Only the best
recent vintages are listed
| Vintage |
1989 |
1990 |
1995 |
1996 |
1997 |
1998 |
1999 |
2000 |
2001 |
|
Piedmont Reds |
9 |
9 |
6 |
8 |
8 |
9 |
9 |
8 |
8 |
| Tuscan
Reds |
- |
9 |
6 |
6 |
9 |
7 |
9 |
8 |
8 |
Spain
| Vintage |
1994 |
1995 |
1996 |
1997 |
1998 |
1999 |
2000 |
| Rioja |
9 |
8 |
8 |
6 |
7 |
7 |
7 |
USA
| Vintage |
1996 |
1997 |
1998 |
1999 |
2000 |
| White |
9 |
8 |
6 |
8 |
7 |
| Red |
8 |
9 |
7 |
8 |
7 |
Australia
| Vintage |
1996 |
1997 |
1998 |
1999 |
2000 |
2001 |
| White |
5 |
9 |
8 |
7 |
8 |
8 |
| Red |
9 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
7 |
8 |
New Zealand
| Vintage |
1998 |
1999 |
2000 |
2001 |
| White |
7 |
8 |
8 |
8 |
| Red |
9 |
7 |
7 |
7 |
South Africa
| Vintage |
1998 |
1999 |
2000 |
2001 |
| White |
7 |
8 |
8 |
7 |
| Red |
8 |
7 |
6 |
9 |
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