We have come out here with an open mind and what has struck us is that there is freshness and purity in many of the wines. It is remarkable that the growers have got this far given the most difficult growing conditions since 1992.
There is a lot of weakness however, especially in Margaux, due to an enormous downpour at the end of September, although some estates like Rausan Ségla have made a good wine.
There are some wines, for example made by the Bories, i.e. Haut Batailley and Grand Puy Lacoste, that are genuinely delicious. However a dramatic movement on price is needed in order to merit a purchase.
Our few favourite wines would sit very well in any collector’s cellar. The real question is whether the château owners want to sell , taking into account the small crop and the cost of production for such a vintage…..