Champagne Vintage Report

 

Vintage	Score	Drink Rec	Description
2006	93-96	NYR	Great potential quality and ageability; well-structured wines of intensity
2005	90	Drink or hold	Variable quality overall, with bottlings based on Chardonnay faring well; the best versions are open-knit and approachable
2004	92	Drink or hold	An abundant harvest; sleek and vibrant in style, particularly for Chardonnay
2003	88	Drink or hold	Few declared this torrid vintage, with little Chardonnay due to April frosts. Inconsistent, with the best sumptuous, yet others lean and tart
2002	94	Drink or hold	The best year since 1996. Complexity and richness backed by firm, lively structures; the finest will repay cellaring
2000	89	Drink or hold	The best are balanced, with vibrant structures and finesse; medium- to full-bodied
1999	89	Drink or hold	Ripe, healthy grapes made generous wines; round and fresh despite low acidity
1998	91	Drink or hold	Rich, elegant wines with good balance and intensity
1997	87	Drink	Lean and firm; the best are balanced, but some are tart
1996	96	Drink or hold	Ripe, intense wines; firmly structured and potentially long-lived
1995	94	Drink or hold	Rich, generous and balanced wines; particularly successful for Chardonnay
1994	82	Past peak	Lean, angular wines; not a vintage year for most
1993	87	Drink	Bright and lively, especially blanc de blancs
1992	84	Drink	Soft and mature in style
1991	79	Past peak	Few vintage bottlings
1990	97	Drink or hold	Big, powerful and full-flavored
1989	90	Drink	Extremely ripe and generous
1988	95	Drink or hold	Outstanding; beautifully balanced
1987	81	Past peak	Few vintage bottlings
1986	86	Past peak	Very good quality; lean in style
1985	96	Drink	Superb balance; great structure and flavor
1984	79	Past peak	Large harvest
1983	83	Past peak	Good, pleasant Champagnes
1982	94	Drink	Rich, complex, with abundant flavor
1979	91	Drink	Classy and elegant; aging well
1976	88	Drink	A ripe, opulent year
1975	92	Drink	Bold but balanced wines
A score range indicates preliminary analysis based on barrel samples and/or a limited sampling; many wines of the vintage not yet reviewed. Vintage ratings: 95-100, classic; 90-94, outstanding; 85-89, very good; 80-84, good; 75-79, mediocre; 50-74, not recommended Drinkability: "NYR" means the vintage has not yet been released; "drink" means most of the wines of the vintage are ready to drink; "hold" means most of the ageworthy wines have yet to fully mature; "past peak" means most of the wines are declining rather than improving. SOURCE: WINE SPECTATOR