What are the best vintages to buy?
Quick answer
The best vintages to buy depend on the region. For Bordeaux: 2005, 2009, 2010, 2015, 2016, and 2019 are all-star years. Burgundy: 2005, 2010, 2015, 2019. Northern Rhône: 2009, 2010, 2015, 2017. Picking a great vintage means better ageing potential and stronger resale value.
Detailed answer
A great vintage comes from ideal weather: cold enough winter for dormancy, frost-free budbreak, even flowering in June, hot dry summer with cool nights, and a dry harvest season.
Bordeaux's legendary vintages: 2000, 2005, 2009, 2010, 2015, 2016, 2018, and 2019. The 2010 is often called the Left Bank vintage of the century — a rare combination of concentration, freshness, and tannic structure. The 2015, sunnier in style, is generous and approachable younger.
Burgundy is more variable due to its continental climate. Reference years: 2005 (perfect balance), 2010 (crystalline purity), 2015 (solar richness), 2019 (concentration and ripeness). The 2019 is already being called historic by many critics.
Northern Rhône (Côte-Rôtie, Hermitage, Cornas) hit peaks in 2009 and 2010 — monumental wines. The 2015 and 2017 are also exceptional, with intense aromatics and silky tannins.
Important nuance: a 'great vintage' doesn't automatically mean a good buy. An average vintage from a top producer can outperform a great vintage from a mediocre one. Vintage is an indicator, not a guarantee — always cross-reference with the estate's reputation.
For value hunters, 'underrated' vintages often offer the best deals: Bordeaux 2008 and 2014, Burgundy 2007 and 2017, Rhône 2011 and 2013 — excellent wines at fraction of the price of the famous years.
| Region | Exceptional Vintages | Underrated (Best Value) | Skip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bordeaux Left Bank | 2005, 2009, 2010, 2015, 2016 | 2008, 2014, 2017 | 2007, 2011, 2013 |
| Bordeaux Right Bank | 2005, 2009, 2010, 2015, 2018 | 2008, 2012, 2014 | 2007, 2011 |
| Red Burgundy | 2005, 2010, 2015, 2019 | 2007, 2012, 2017 | 2004, 2008, 2011 |
| White Burgundy | 2010, 2014, 2017, 2019 | 2009, 2012, 2018 | 2004, 2011 |
| Northern Rhône | 2009, 2010, 2015, 2017 | 2011, 2013, 2014 | 2002, 2008 |
| Barolo / Barbaresco | 2010, 2013, 2016 | 2008, 2011, 2014 | 2003, 2002 |