Bordeaux Dry White Wine Vintage Chart: 1989 to 2022
2022
The hottest and driest vintage in recent memory produced far more promising reds than whites. Dry whites are generally lacking in acidity with elevated alcohol levels. There are a few notable exceptions to this, which are explored in our full coverage of the 2022 vintage.
2021
Dry whites are the stars of this troubled vintage with nervy, fruity wines generally resulting from being picked before the rains that dogged the red wine harvest (and helped sweet wine production). The acidity that could be a bit much in 2021 reds is an asset in the whites and Bordeaux winemakers seem generally to be revelling in making fine, dry whites at last. Sauvignon Blanc with a little Sauvignon Gris is much more in vogue than Sémillon.
2020
Very early vintage with the first Sauvignon Blanc picked on 14 August and all grapes destined for dry whites harvested before the mid September showers. Alcohol levels are the highest ever with many wines more than 14% although they don't seem fatally flabby. But this may not be the longest-lived why white bordeaux vintage.
2019
The freshness evident in 2019 reds is an attractive characteristic of the dry whites too. The wines are not short of body but are also appetising and aromatic. A promising vintage for dry white bordeaux.
2018
Not nearly as exciting as the reds, with lowish acidity a shortcoming. Not wines to cellar for long.
2017
Much better than for reds, and they displayed ‘purity of fruit, excellent freshness and were noticeably aromatic’ when Julia tasted them en primeur.
2016
Unlike its red counterparts, dry Bordeaux white was rarely thrilling in 2016. Stylistically, they tend to be slightly lower in alcohol and acidity than the 2015s, with less expressive flavours. By no means a bad vintage for whites, but most certainly better for reds.
2015
Rain in August cased more problems for the thin-skinned Sémillon than Sauvignon Blanc. This is likely to be reflected in the final blends.
2014
Searing acidity is the hallmark of many of these wines, some of which are exceptionally pleasing. Plenty of others, however, are relatively new creations and remain works in progress.
2013
As with the reds in 2013, there is a lightness to Bordeaux’s Sémillon/Sauvignon Blanc blends – though this is not an entirely bad thing.
2012
Far better for dry whites than their sweet siblings – in fact, they are one of the notable successes of the vintage. Pessac-Léognan and Graves are both good, with more ‘liveliness’ than the average vintage.
2011
Some real energy and excitement in dry whites.
2010
Tremendous quality, combining the best weight of the 2009s with the lively freshness of the 2008s.
2009
Warm conditions led to full and fleshy whites with high alcohol but sufficiently balanced acidity, in most cases. Yields for Sauvignon Blanc were a bit lower than for Sémillon, compounded by severe hail in Entre-Deux-Mers and Graves, leading to some supply shortages.
2008
A cool growing season with late autumn sunshine gave well balanced whites to Bordeaux in 2008, with pure aromatic qualities and a steely austerity. Volume was affected by some hail and frost.
2007
The season’s low temperatures benefited these dry whites, as in 2006. With white winemaking improving each year, dry whites were Bordeaux’s real triumph in 2007.
2006
The cool August preserved acid levels and fruit in these wines, which deserve serious attention.
2005
Very concentrated successful wines in general. Some run slightly to fat.
2004
A long growing season and cool September nights, along with increasing white winemaking skill, produced a good tally of wines with impressive acid levels – a relief after 2003.
2003
Acid levels were dangerously low in the heatwave. For very early drinking except for the very finest.
2002
Small crop of concentrated, fragrant wines.
2001
The low temperatures of September helped maintain freshness and produced well-etched, fruity flavours with good acidity.
2000
Summer was if anything too hot to produce nervy wines and most of these were best drunk young, although there are one or two great wines at the top of the tree.
1999
Some attractive, aromatic Sauvignon Blanc was harvested but the Sémillon fruit was often dilute.
1998
Attractive wines with no shortage of ripeness.
1997
Rather lacklustre without much depth or personality.
1996
Like most French 1996 whites, vivacious, crisp wines.
1995
Lots of body and flavour and structure thanks to the warm summer wherever grapes were picked before the mid-September rains.
1994
Potentially superb as fully ripe grapes were again gathered before the rains.
1993
Avoided the rains: generally good, soft and full, sometimes outstanding.
1992
Clearly better than the reds, the best are intense and well-structured.
1991
A difficult year, rather light and most are just too dilute to be interesting.
1990
Mostly richer, fuller and more complex than 1989, but not very long-lived.
1989
Picked too soon, generally light and not a patch on the reds except for Laville-Haut-Brion and Haut-Brion.