Right Bank & Left Bank Expression

On the Right Bank, particularly in Pomerol and parts of Saint-Émilion, clay soils with good water retention proved invaluable for Merlot. Vines were better able to withstand the summer drought, and the results are evident in the glass. Cabernet Franc performed especially well, benefiting from the combination of warm days and cool nights. Thienpont captured the atmosphere rather vividly: “there was pure raspberry in the air.” The resulting wines, notably from estates such as Figeac, Cheval Blanc, Conseillante and Vieux Château Certan, show remarkable aromatic precision and were among our clear favourites.

On the Left Bank, distinctions between communes are well defined. Pauillac and Saint-Estèphe lean toward structure and longevity, producing wines built with ageing firmly in mind and really suit the high tannin levels of the vintage. There are some excellent examples here, and stylistic comparisons with vintages such as 1986 are not unwarranted. Margaux and Saint-Julien, by contrast, excel in refinement and aromatic lift, and feature prominently among the most elegant wines of the year. At Château Léoville Barton, Lilian Barton compared the vintage to “22, 19 and 16,” which neatly captures its balance between structure and freshness.