2004
A very good and underrated vintage with fresh, structured wines that show delicious fruit. Their excellent balance will let them start drinking soon and these wines look particularly good value compared with the 2005 and 2006 wines to come.

2003
The year of the heatwave has produced big, full wines with plenty of fruit and fairly big tannins on the finish. Paricularly successful in Saint-Estéphe, the northern Médoc and, the Right Bank. They are attractively priced.

2002
Difficult to taste when young, the 2002s were not popular on release but have good fruit and firm structure and will show their true quality as the latter softens. The Médoc in particular has produced some fine, classic claret.

2001
A good vintage, the wines have good balance, fresh fruit and are very representative of their individual terriors.

2000
An excellent vintage, very regular and consistent on both left and right banks and throughout the price range. Particularly good for some of the smaller Châteaux where the quality was excellent and the prices did not rise to the extent that they did further up the scale. Long term, balanced wines.

1999
A good vintage, particularly in the Médoc with some big, tannic wines that will repay keeping.

1998
A superb year for the Merlot based wines of Saint-Emilion and Pomerol but also some excellent wines from the Médoc.

1997
A good year and many of the wines are exhibiting lovely fruit and are drinking well already. Prices which seemed high on release now look reasonable. An opportunity to buy first growths at reasonable prices.

1996
A cool summer but a wonderful autumn saw exceptional quality being harvested, especially in the northern Médoc.

1995
A very hot, sunny summer led to a vintage with abundant fruit and good, harmonious tannin levels.

1994
There are some extremely good Saint-Emilion and Pomerols though quality is a little less even in the Médoc. In general, a classic long lived year.

1993
Ideal for the short and mid term. Modern techniques salvaged some decent to good wines from what otherwise would have been a difficult year.

1990
A great vintage that produced wonderfully rich, concentrated wines.

1989
Full bodied, powerful wines that have a touch of the New World to them.

1988
Fine wines offering excellent drinking.

1985
Merlot was particularly distinguished in 1985 leading to many delicious wines, enjoyable for their ripe plumpness and harmonious flavours.

1983
Classic elegance and length, attributes typical of fine Claret, are hallmarks of this vintage.

1982
A great year by any standards. Many have been drinking well young but continue to develop with each passing year.

1978
The ‘miracle’ vintage saved by an Indian summer. These rich, fruity wines are drinking well now.

1966
A vintage of real quality and style.