Dominik Mueller

Very good vintage in Bordeaux, especially in the Médoc, with a good mix of warm temperatures and occassional rainfall when it was needed. For Pomerol and St. Émilion on the right bank, however, prolonged droughts throughout the summer and heavy concentrated rainstorms in August meant conditions were not as perfect for the Merlot grapes there, although eventually healthy grapes were picked there, too. Some excellent dry whites in Graves and sweet whites in Sauternes (perhaps the best vintage after the excellent 1990).

Left bank appellation in Bordeaux forming the northern part of Graves ("Haut-Graves"). Prior to getting its own AOC in 1987, Pessac-Léognan belonged to the broader Graves AOC. The highest-rated Graves châteaux all lie in the Pessac-Léognan AOC. Gravel soils. About 1,750 hectares under vines with three quarters red wine. Predominantly Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot for reds, plus Cabernet Franc and Malbec ("Côt"); Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon for whites. Generally fuller-bodied reds compared to the right bank. The age-worthy dry whites are typically fermented in oak barrel.