| Vintage | Cabernet Franc | Chenin Blanc | Sauvignon Blanc | Drink Window | Description | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Vintage2022 |
Cabernet Franc93 |
Chenin Blanc96 |
Sauvignon Blanc95 |
Drink WindowDrink or hold |
DescriptionHeralded by many producers as one of the best vintages of the decade, this warm, sunny year resulted in perfectly healthy fruit with excellent balance. August rain brought relief from periods of extreme heat and drought, refreshing grapes just before the trouble-free harvest. Volumes vary, based on which vineyards were plagued by spring frosts, but many vintners report high volumes at top quality. Whites and reds achieved good concentration, but alcohols are not too high; acidities are high across the board, making for supremely balanced wines built to age |
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DescriptionHeralded by many producers as one of the best vintages of the decade, this warm, sunny year resulted in perfectly healthy fruit with excellent balance. August rain brought relief from periods of extreme heat and drought, refreshing grapes just before the trouble-free harvest. Volumes vary, based on which vineyards were plagued by spring frosts, but many vintners report high volumes at top quality. Whites and reds achieved good concentration, but alcohols are not too high; acidities are high across the board, making for supremely balanced wines built to age |
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Vintage2021 |
Cabernet Franc89 |
Chenin Blanc89 |
Sauvignon Blanc89 |
Drink WindowDrink or hold |
DescriptionDifficult weather conditions–frosts, heavy rain and hail–resulted in a very challenging year, with volumes down significantly, particularly for the Sauvignon Blanc–based regions of Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé. Wines that were made are less about ripe, lush fruit than vibrant citrusy and grassy flavors, crisp acidity and lower alcohol levels; reds are also lighter in profile, with crunchy red fruit and savory spice notes |
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DescriptionDifficult weather conditions–frosts, heavy rain and hail–resulted in a very challenging year, with volumes down significantly, particularly for the Sauvignon Blanc–based regions of Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé. Wines that were made are less about ripe, lush fruit than vibrant citrusy and grassy flavors, crisp acidity and lower alcohol levels; reds are also lighter in profile, with crunchy red fruit and savory spice notes |
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Vintage2020 |
Cabernet Franc92 |
Chenin Blanc94 |
Sauvignon Blanc90 |
Drink WindowDrink or hold |
DescriptionAs with the past several vintages, 2020 saw a very good growing season, with a wet, late winter and early spring helping to build up water reserves for the exceptionally hot summer. Chenin Blancs, both dry and sweet, look especially promising; Cabernet Francs are ripe but retain freshness; Sauvignon Blancs that weren’t harvested too late show good precision |
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DescriptionAs with the past several vintages, 2020 saw a very good growing season, with a wet, late winter and early spring helping to build up water reserves for the exceptionally hot summer. Chenin Blancs, both dry and sweet, look especially promising; Cabernet Francs are ripe but retain freshness; Sauvignon Blancs that weren’t harvested too late show good precision |
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Vintage2019 |
Cabernet Franc93 |
Chenin Blanc94 |
Sauvignon Blanc90 |
Drink WindowDrink or hold |
DescriptionThe summer heat stressed the vines and lowered the yields, but the fruit left to harvest was of premium quality. Red varieties benefited from the warm weather, with Cabernet Franc delivering ripe but balanced wines. For the whites, both Sauvignon Blanc and Chenin Blanc have naturally high acidities, yielding greater harmony. Not many sweet wines were produced |
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DescriptionThe summer heat stressed the vines and lowered the yields, but the fruit left to harvest was of premium quality. Red varieties benefited from the warm weather, with Cabernet Franc delivering ripe but balanced wines. For the whites, both Sauvignon Blanc and Chenin Blanc have naturally high acidities, yielding greater harmony. Not many sweet wines were produced |
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Vintage2018 |
Cabernet Franc92 |
Chenin Blanc93 |
Sauvignon Blanc89 |
Drink WindowDrink or hold |
DescriptionOne of the largest crops of the decade, with favorable weather conditions throughout the year yielding concentrated wines that are a bit lower in acidity than usual. Chenin Blanc and red varieties did very well, while a streak of rain affected areas producing Sauvignon Blanc, causing some disease pressure; very little noble rot, but good ripeness overall |
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DescriptionOne of the largest crops of the decade, with favorable weather conditions throughout the year yielding concentrated wines that are a bit lower in acidity than usual. Chenin Blanc and red varieties did very well, while a streak of rain affected areas producing Sauvignon Blanc, causing some disease pressure; very little noble rot, but good ripeness overall |
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Vintage2017 |
Cabernet Franc90 |
Chenin Blanc92 |
Sauvignon Blanc91 |
Drink WindowDrink or hold |
DescriptionA solid follow-up to the 2015 and 2016 duo, with lower yields due to a severe spring frost. The ensuing growing season was relatively dry and warm, running one to two weeks early through harvest, and scattered rains in the second half of July helped to freshen the vines. Whites are pure and precise, reds are fresh and charming |
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DescriptionA solid follow-up to the 2015 and 2016 duo, with lower yields due to a severe spring frost. The ensuing growing season was relatively dry and warm, running one to two weeks early through harvest, and scattered rains in the second half of July helped to freshen the vines. Whites are pure and precise, reds are fresh and charming |
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Vintage2016 |
Cabernet Franc92 |
Chenin Blanc94 |
Sauvignon Blanc92 |
Drink WindowDrink or hold |
DescriptionA step ahead of 2015 and different in style. A severe spring frost cut the crop by as much as 50 percent. May through July was rainy, but then draught conditions arrived and persisted through the harvest. Luckily temperatures were not too hot, especially through harvest. Wines have fresher acidity than 2015. Very solid vintage, with some exceptional sweet wines |
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DescriptionA step ahead of 2015 and different in style. A severe spring frost cut the crop by as much as 50 percent. May through July was rainy, but then draught conditions arrived and persisted through the harvest. Luckily temperatures were not too hot, especially through harvest. Wines have fresher acidity than 2015. Very solid vintage, with some exceptional sweet wines |
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Vintage2015 |
Cabernet Franc90 |
Chenin Blanc92 |
Sauvignon Blanc90 |
Drink WindowDrink or hold |
DescriptionFinally, a solid vintage, easily the best since 2010. Some early spring rains hampered flowering in Sancerre, but growing season was hot and dry. Late-season rains caused thin-skinned varieties such as Gamay to face disease pressures; acidities slightly lower than usual. Cabernet Franc ripened well; Chenin Blanc excelled with both dry and sweet versions |
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DescriptionFinally, a solid vintage, easily the best since 2010. Some early spring rains hampered flowering in Sancerre, but growing season was hot and dry. Late-season rains caused thin-skinned varieties such as Gamay to face disease pressures; acidities slightly lower than usual. Cabernet Franc ripened well; Chenin Blanc excelled with both dry and sweet versions |
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Vintage2014 |
Cabernet Franc87 |
Chenin Blanc86 |
Sauvignon Blanc86 |
Drink WindowDrink or hold |
DescriptionGenerally gray and rainy midsummer season led to uneven ripening throughout the valley, putting a premium on viticulture; hail hit Vouvray, cutting yields. September was ideal, saving the vintage. Mélon, Cabernet Franc were better-performing grapes; dry Chenin succeeded somewhat, sweet wines much less so |
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DescriptionGenerally gray and rainy midsummer season led to uneven ripening throughout the valley, putting a premium on viticulture; hail hit Vouvray, cutting yields. September was ideal, saving the vintage. Mélon, Cabernet Franc were better-performing grapes; dry Chenin succeeded somewhat, sweet wines much less so |
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Vintage2013 |
Cabernet Franc83 |
Chenin Blanc86 |
Sauvignon Blanc83 |
Drink WindowDrink |
DescriptionStorms early and late hampered flowering and harvest. Hail ravaged Vouvray midseason, though it affected yields more than quality. Overall, another difficult year, putting a premium on viticulture and selection in the winery. Expect scattered success at best |
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DescriptionStorms early and late hampered flowering and harvest. Hail ravaged Vouvray midseason, though it affected yields more than quality. Overall, another difficult year, putting a premium on viticulture and selection in the winery. Expect scattered success at best |
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Vintage2012 |
Cabernet Franc84 |
Chenin Blanc85 |
Sauvignon Blanc86 |
Drink WindowDrink |
DescriptionA difficult year. April frosts and a cold, rainy weather pattern through July led to lower yields and uneven ripening; an October storm in the western and central part of the valley caused more problems. Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé relatively spared |
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DescriptionA difficult year. April frosts and a cold, rainy weather pattern through July led to lower yields and uneven ripening; an October storm in the western and central part of the valley caused more problems. Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé relatively spared |
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Vintage2011 |
Cabernet Franc88 |
Chenin Blanc88 |
Sauvignon Blanc84 |
Drink WindowDrink |
DescriptionExtreme and variable conditions led to a heterogenous harvest as spring was very warm, but the summer very cool and wet. Cabernet Franc able to shrug off some rains, while lighter white varieties more mixed; little botrytis development for sweet wines. Lower yields due to uneven ripening and selection |
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DescriptionExtreme and variable conditions led to a heterogenous harvest as spring was very warm, but the summer very cool and wet. Cabernet Franc able to shrug off some rains, while lighter white varieties more mixed; little botrytis development for sweet wines. Lower yields due to uneven ripening and selection |
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Vintage2010 |
Cabernet Franc90 |
Chenin Blanc94 |
Sauvignon Blanc91 |
Drink WindowDrink or hold |
DescriptionWarm, dry growing season at both ends of the valley, though with pockets of rain around Tours. Wines should be fresher in style than the concentrated 2009s, with brighter acidity; late-harvest Chenins best since 1997 |
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DescriptionWarm, dry growing season at both ends of the valley, though with pockets of rain around Tours. Wines should be fresher in style than the concentrated 2009s, with brighter acidity; late-harvest Chenins best since 1997 |
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Vintage2009 |
Cabernet Franc91 |
Chenin Blanc93 |
Sauvignon Blanc92 |
Drink WindowDrink or hold |
DescriptionWarm, consistent growing season that benefited all grapes and appellations. Quality tempered by dry conditions that caused some young vines to suffer |
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DescriptionWarm, consistent growing season that benefited all grapes and appellations. Quality tempered by dry conditions that caused some young vines to suffer |
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Vintage2008 |
Cabernet Franc87 |
Chenin Blanc88 |
Sauvignon Blanc87 |
Drink WindowDrink |
DescriptionHumid, gray growing season resulted in grapes struggling to ripen throughout the valley. Harvest stretched late in October, saved by an Indian summer; good botrytis development for Chenin Blanc |
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DescriptionHumid, gray growing season resulted in grapes struggling to ripen throughout the valley. Harvest stretched late in October, saved by an Indian summer; good botrytis development for Chenin Blanc |
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Vintage2007 |
Cabernet Franc83 |
Chenin Blanc90 |
Sauvignon Blanc84 |
Drink WindowPast peak |
DescriptionInconsistent growing season marked by a cool summer that led to uneven ripening for Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc. A warm, dry September helped save the vintage for Chenin Blanc; late-harvest dessert wines outstanding |
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DescriptionInconsistent growing season marked by a cool summer that led to uneven ripening for Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc. A warm, dry September helped save the vintage for Chenin Blanc; late-harvest dessert wines outstanding |
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Vintage2006 |
Cabernet Franc84 |
Chenin Blanc84 |
Sauvignon Blanc85 |
Drink WindowPast peak |
DescriptionRainy season caused some rot problems, though Sauvignon Blancs from eastern end were mostly spared. Many producers reduced yields because of unripe grapes; little or no botrytis for sweet-wine production |
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DescriptionRainy season caused some rot problems, though Sauvignon Blancs from eastern end were mostly spared. Many producers reduced yields because of unripe grapes; little or no botrytis for sweet-wine production |
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Vintage2005 |
Cabernet Franc92 |
Chenin Blanc93 |
Sauvignon Blanc92 |
Drink WindowDrink or hold |
DescriptionWarm, dry season and ideal weather at harvest; low yields led to concentrated, balanced wines. Reds should age nicely; dessert wines superb |
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DescriptionWarm, dry season and ideal weather at harvest; low yields led to concentrated, balanced wines. Reds should age nicely; dessert wines superb |
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Vintage2004 |
Cabernet Franc88 |
Chenin Blanc89 |
Sauvignon Blanc89 |
Drink WindowDrink |
DescriptionCold start followed by a warm summer; some rains at harvesttime. Whites are clean and fresh; reds are light and crisp |
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DescriptionCold start followed by a warm summer; some rains at harvesttime. Whites are clean and fresh; reds are light and crisp |
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Vintage2003 |
Cabernet Franc91 |
Chenin Blanc88 |
Sauvignon Blanc85 |
Drink WindowPast peak |
DescriptionWild heat wave during growing season produced some ripe, dense reds, but some off-kilter whites; little botrytis in the sweet wines |
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DescriptionWild heat wave during growing season produced some ripe, dense reds, but some off-kilter whites; little botrytis in the sweet wines |
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Vintage2002 |
Cabernet Franc91 |
Chenin Blanc93 |
Sauvignon Blanc93 |
Drink WindowDrink |
DescriptionHeat during flowering led to a small crop, while ideal September weather produced a superb vintage, with pure, balanced whites and reds |
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DescriptionHeat during flowering led to a small crop, while ideal September weather produced a superb vintage, with pure, balanced whites and reds |
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Cabernet Franc = Chinon, Bourgueil, Anjou, Saumur |
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Vintage ratings: 95-100, classic; 90-94, outstanding; 85-89, very good; 80-84, good; 75-79, mediocre; 50-74, not recommended
A score range indicates preliminary analysis based on barrel samples and/or a limited sampling; many wines of the vintage not yet reviewed.
Drinkability: "NYR" means the vintage has not yet been released; "drink" means most of the wines of the vintage are ready to drink; "hold" means most of the ageworthy wines have yet to fully mature; "past peak" means most of the wines are declining rather than improving.
SOURCE: WINE SPECTATOR
