Life is too short to drink bad wine

Bordeaux 2017 – harvest and weather report Bordeaux 2017 will be a ‘fascinating’ vintage to taste, according to Gavin Quinney (@ GavinQuinney)  of Chateau Bauduc. In the article below, he summarises everything you need to know about this year’s harvest. Bordeaux 2017 will go down as the year of the frost. But now that the harvest is complete, it’s clear that this really is a vintage of haves, have-nots and somewhere-in-betweens. For those growers and châteaux with vineyards that weren’t hit, there has been every chance of making very good wine. Here is a look at how the weather stamped an indelible mark on the vintage, along with numerous images of the harvest. Contents and highlights Introduction – a small crop 45% down on last year due to April frost The growing season Pretty good – rain end of June, dry summer, hot August, damp start to September, fine finish The harvest – a view from the top 80% of top wines from 150 leading châteaux not impacted by frost T...

Got some bottles of this excellent chateau from Fronsac in my cellar. The 2001 is still hanging in there, but I better hurry now. Big nose of red fruit, vanilla and oak. The taste is full-bodied with a well balanced finish. The fruit is however drying out. Ch de la Riviere 2001 Fronsac, Ca 20€ Good value for money

Surprisingly nice and reasonable Bordeaux from the great 2005 vintage. Medium ruby colour and a lovely smell of red berries, plum, minerals and pencil sharpening. Great well balanced taste, with nicely integrated tannins and a elegant fruity finish. A lovely wine for 250 NOK or ca 20€. Ch. Moulin Pey-Labrie 2005 Canon-Fronsac

The 2003 vintage is a hot year with lots of fruit and sugar. Prices went up due to the Parker score and it was a difficult year to find reasonable wines. Ch La Riviere from Fronsac is however one of those good quality wines at reasonable prices (one can also stay overnight at the chateau...). Deep dark red colour packed with fruit and Bordeaux character. Lovely lively "warm" fruity taste with a nice balance and soft tannins. Ch de la Riviere 2003, Fronsac, cheap but good stuff...ca 15€ Vignobles Grégoire