The latest wines from Bordeaux: what to buy for the 2017 En Primeur

To fully understand the 2017 vintage, you have to digest the unique weather conditions during the growing season. A series of distinct, but interlinked, climatic occurrences shaped this vintage such that it cannot be compared with any other year. This means that the wines made are also singular in their silhouette and resonance. The year 2017 presented Bordeaux with a volley of viticultural challenges and, while some châteaux coped admirably, others fell well short.

The deadly grip of Jack Frost

Mild winter temperatures marked a relatively dry start to the year. Rain in February and March gave rise to an early bud-burst, which initiated rapid growth in the vines. With an early season on the cards, devastating frosts (the worst since 1991) ravaged the region at the end of April. The impact on some vineyards was complete annihilation of the crop. Other estates suffered partial losses and some lucky ones escaped the deadly fingers of Jack Frost completely. Many estates close to the Gironde were relatively unscathed thanks to this large body of water ameliorating temperatures. Others used giant fans, candles and helicopters to agitate the cold air in the vineyards in order to try to save their vines.

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Estimates are that the harvest is down by 45% on 2016. Spring was fine and flowering was early, but second shoots, which replaced many of those taken by the frost, in most cases failed to produce grapes worthy of inclusion in the wines. Those châteaux that used second shoots can often be distinguished by overriding green notes in the wines.

The summer was cooler than the seasonal average and fruit continued to ripen apace in near-drought conditions, which helped tannins to ripen to maturity (this is not a tannic vintage). By early September many vineyards were ready to harvest some two weeks ahead of the norm. Acids were keen and bright on account of the cool summer, fruit was juicy and bold owing to the early season coupled with the dry August, and rain in September refreshed the vines, bringing them back to balance.

The role of hoodoo

Left Bank reds are most successful in Saint-Estèphe, Pauillac and Saint-Julien, with early budding merlot being hit hardest by frost. Margaux, the Haut-Médoc and greater Graves are all patchier. The Right Bank seems strong in Pomerol and Fronsac and less reliable in Saint-Emilion, where only the elevated sites stood a chance of avoiding frost. Dry whites are rather lovely, but not necessarily long-lived. Those wines with lots of sauvignon blanc seem to be crunchier than usual and they will drink early and reward greatly.

Much has been made of the “vintage-ending-in-a-7” hoodoo, which usually puts the mockers on red wines and rewards sweeties. I can report that there are some lovely Sauternes in 2017, but it is not a truly great year. Sauvignon blanc ripened earlier than semillon and then it spent nearly a month on the vine, waiting around before botrytis set in. During this period, it appears to have lost its vivacity. While the luscious botrytis-affected semillons are plush and succulent, many lack an extra level of poise. Having said this, some flamboyant wines were made.

What about the price?

Most châteaux were open about assessing this vintage as a “lesser” year than both 2016 and 2015. I suppose, in absolute terms, this is true, but some of my notes for 2017 are superior to both 2016 and 2015 for a few of the astute estates. Granted, the wines are not likely to be as long-lived, but they are brighter, less tannic, lower in alcohol and also fresher than both of these famous years. Early indications are that the prices will be somewhere between the 2014 and 2015 vintage releases.

I am not alone in thinking that Bordeaux En Primeur is awash with lovely wines, but bereft of excitement. Recent vintages have been prohibitively expensive and the EP specialist merchants have not really had their heart in it. My advice to Bordeaux is to inject the element of drama and excitement back into this annual event. If you would like to download my full report I would be delighted to direct you to MatthewJukes.com.