We are now 20 years into the 21st century and so it is time for a poll on the vintage of the Century in Bordeaux. I am picking 2005 but could change to 2016 in the future depending on how the vintage turns out. 2000 for this purpose is in the 21st century. I did not include 2020 for obvious reasons.
I’m still thinking but am struggling with one choice. It’s probably 2005, but hot damn do I love 2014 and bought more of it than any other vintage, and well, everything I have touched in 2016 has been great. I have not had enough 2016s, though, to really prognosticate on whether it is best overall. And 2000s are starting to drinking quite nicely . . . .
It is a tie between 2000 and 2009 for me (unfortunately poll did not let you pick two). I think it is far too early to annoint 2016 and I haven’t been blown away by what I’ve tasted of it either – people talking about 2016 seem to be perhaps overly influenced by critics, who have a big bias to pump up recent vintages.
2005 hasn’t proven itself yet, it needs to emerge from its slumber before a real judgement can be made. Also, 2005 right bank has some real issues.
Yeah, the reason I would want to choose both 2000 and 2009 is that one is more structured/classic and the other is more lush/seductive. Don’t make me choose just one !
We won’t know the top Bordeaux vintage from 2000-2019 until 2040, at the earliest. More relevant poll for right now might be “best Bordeaux vintage between 1980-1999”. I would vote for 1990 in that poll
After 2004 the wines got (mostly) too heavy for my preference. So with that said I chose 2000. I prefer drinking 2001 and 2004 now, but see way more upside whenever I try a notable 2000.
I find your “pop-up” Ads quite offensive. At a time when I am trying to have a sophisticated and relevant discussion with my good friend Howard, somehow I got logged off and then flagellated with Ads regarding my age, ED and suggestions of grandeur if I only eat certain foods and take these little blue pills! First off, how did it know my age? Second off, how did it know . . . Wait, it knows nothing. Does that food work?
I think 2014 is better from a breadth point of view, a greater range of higher quality wines. I wish I could recall exactly what 2001s tasted like on release, but I also think we are seeing riper fruit here in 2014 but in a classic cut with a bit higher acid. I do like 2001 very much, however. And ironically, have a 2001 Sociando Mallet standing up right now. That is one one where I definitely think it was the QPR of each vintage, 2001 and 2014.