2013

Vintage Quality: Weak

Current Condition: Ready to drink

The 2013 vintage in Bordeaux was mostly disappointing, with a wet winter and spring that caused delayed bud break and flowering. Extreme heat and heavy rain in July and August hail further reduced yields. Merlot was most affected, while Cabernet Sauvignon struggled to take advantage of the short summer.

The resulting vintage was small with large quality differences. The best red wines were light with lower alcohol content, while the poorer examples suffered from over-extraction and harsh tannins. White wines generally fared better with an aromatic fresh fruit character.

Overall, the 2013 vintage does not offer many reasons for excitement. There are some good wines due to skilled winemakers, but they are relatively rare, and the best are suitable for short to medium-term drinking.