Jancis Robinson MW on Bordeaux 2010
2010 - the Shakira vintage? - Jancis Robinson.com - 16 April 2011
I find it hard to imagine that I will ever again encounter such successful consecutive vintages in Bordeaux as 2009 and the infant 2010s I have just been tasting...
What is clear is that, while the likely appeal of the voluptuous 2009s resulting from steady ripening of grapes through a warm, dry summer and autumn was never in doubt, the 2010 vintage might have been very different indeed.
Both 2009 and 2010 have massive, record-breaking amounts of alcohol (thanks to the high sugar levels in the grapes), tannins and colour. The big difference between the vintages is in the acid levels. Thanks to the cool nights and generally lower temperatures, 2010s have much higher levels of acidity and, in some cases, the tannins taste much drier.
This makes the 2010 vintage much more structured, more refreshing, and it will almost certainly demand a much longer time in bottle before the wine has softened enough to be broachable.
The 2010s may well go into a shell in their youth, and several producers admitted that they happened to be tasting particularly well during last week's sunny peak primeurs tasting season. The 2009s, on the other hand, with their lower acids, taste much sweeter and gentler, and may well continue to do so throughout their lives.
White Bordeaux:
The characteristic freshness of the 2010 vintage has translated into some really successful, nervy dry white wines. Perhaps bordeaux can take advantage with this vintage of current connoisseur disaffection with white burgundy? And this crispness, and frequent citrus-peel character, is also evident in a very particular style of vintage for sweet white bordeaux, much racier than most but, at the best properties, with no shortage of noble rot. Those who made their selections based on the very best pickings should make thoroughly satisfying wines, even if without the sheer weight and exuberance of the 2009 Sauternes.
I find it hard to imagine that I will ever again encounter such successful consecutive vintages in Bordeaux as 2009 and the infant 2010s I have just been tasting...What is clear is that, while the likely appeal of the voluptuous 2009s resulting from steady ripening of grapes through a warm, dry summer and autumn was never in doubt, the 2010 vintage might have been very different indeed.
Both 2009 and 2010 have massive, record-breaking amounts of alcohol (thanks to the high sugar levels in the grapes), tannins and colour. The big difference between the vintages is in the acid levels. Thanks to the cool nights and generally lower temperatures, 2010s have much higher levels of acidity and, in some cases, the tannins taste much drier.
This makes the 2010 vintage much more structured, more refreshing, and it will almost certainly demand a much longer time in bottle before the wine has softened enough to be broachable.
The 2010s may well go into a shell in their youth, and several producers admitted that they happened to be tasting particularly well during last week's sunny peak primeurs tasting season. The 2009s, on the other hand, with their lower acids, taste much sweeter and gentler, and may well continue to do so throughout their lives.
White Bordeaux:
The characteristic freshness of the 2010 vintage has translated into some really successful, nervy dry white wines. Perhaps bordeaux can take advantage with this vintage of current connoisseur disaffection with white burgundy? And this crispness, and frequent citrus-peel character, is also evident in a very particular style of vintage for sweet white bordeaux, much racier than most but, at the best properties, with no shortage of noble rot. Those who made their selections based on the very best pickings should make thoroughly satisfying wines, even if without the sheer weight and exuberance of the 2009 Sauternes.
Bordeaux 2010 En Primeur - Reports & Recommendations
- Vintage Overview
- Vintage Report by Alun Griffiths MW
- Tasting Notes & Best Wines
- Tim Atkin's MW Vintage Report and Top Wines
- Parker's Scores and Vintage Verdict
- All Wine Scores
- Bordeaux 2010 En Primeur Tastings - Video Reports
- First Thoughts on the Vintage by James Suckling
- Vintage Reports by The Wine Spectator
- Berrys' Fine Wine Blog: Bordeaux 2010 Updates
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