Bordeaux 2018 – top-level wines despite extreme weather events

2018 will enter Europe's weather history as yet another extreme year. The farmers of Central Europe in particular suffered from the extremely long-lasting drought. In contrast, the winners of this unusual hot period were once again the winemakers - at least those with old and deep-rooted vines.

Let's take a quick look at the weather in Bordeaux and the surrounding area:
It was much too wet by mid-July, so the threat of powdery mildew was omnipresent and kept winemakers on their toes. Then from mid-July the very opposite was the case- till the harvest it was extremely dry. The heat changed almost seamlessly into an Indian Summer. It was still warm during the day, but the nights were pleasantly cool. These were almost the perfect conditions for a uniform ripening of the grapes and to get the desirable freshness in the wines.

Even before the start of our trip it was clear that due to the just described weather conditions and the happy faces associated with it, one great vintage was yet again awaiting us. Only biodynamic winemakers had to fight hard with the powdery mildew in late spring. Likewise, parts of Pessac Leognan suffered from serious losses due to a hailstorm. The joy was limited there.

Attentive readers of my Primeur report already know that our tasting tour always begins on Sunday afternoon with a tasting at a wine merchant of mine. On Monday our tour then continues on the north left bank of the river and leads us via Margaux, Haut Medoc and Pessac Leognan finally to Saint Emilion and Pomerol on the right side of the Dordogne. There our marathon ends on Thursday evening.

There really is no clear superior appellation or one in an inferior position this year. There are some great wines but also one or another disappointment, both on the cabernet dominated left and on the merlot dominated right river bank. Overall, the year 2018 is a bit more heterogeneous than the great 2016. At the top end, however, some wines from 2018 can certainly keep up with those from 2016.When it comes to the vintage of 2018 freshness is the magic word. If the winegrower did not overdo it with the extraction, we could taste some fresh wines with a great balance, fine tannins and a noble elegance. The higher alcohol levels were not noticeable in the tasting.

For the 5 days in the Bordelais we tasted more than 250 wines. That's why the below listed favorites per appellation are just a small excerpt. Of course there are many other great wines. The first wine is my absolute favorite and the second wine could be very attractive from a price point of view: 

Saint Estephe: Cos d'Estournel / Phelan Segur     

Pauillac: Lafite Rothschild / Clerc Milon

Saint Julien: Leoville Las Cases / Lagrange

Margaux: Margaux / d'Issan

Moulis: Chasse Spleen

Haut-Medoc: Sociando Mallet / Citran

Pessac Leognan: Haut Brion / Olivier

Saint Emilion: Cheval Blanc / Moulin Saint Georges

Pomerol: Vieux Chateau Certan / Domaine de l'Eglise

On my website, which is being constantly updated, I will introduce to you the newest en primeur releases over the next few weeks. If you can't find your personal favorites, do not hesitate to contact me. I will do my very best to offer you your favorite chateau at a very fair price. And now I wish you happy shopping!

Yours,

Axel Buess