1966 WINE GUIDE: ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT 1966

Visit 1966 vintage is a year close to your heart? Is it a birth year, a wedding year or any other symbol that makes you want to offer or drink a wine from this year? Let us decipher the vintage for you, to help you buy the bottle that best suits your needs.

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• Vintage 1966 in BORDEAUX

We can say that the 1966 vintage has had a bit of luck. Many wine lovers put it on the same level of quality as the 1961 and 1964 vintages, whereas it is surely a notch below. The vintage was overestimated because it came after the very poor 1965, which produced no quality wines. The quality of the red wines is fairly even at BordeauxThe left bank is doing slightly better than its neighbors Pomerol and Saint-Emilion. On the other hand, as far as white wines are concerned, the dry whites of Graves and Pessac-Léognan are of very good quality, while the sweet wines of Barsac and Sauternes did not have the necessary conditions for Botrytis to develop properly in the vines to provide them with the noble rot so important for the production of sweet wines. 

As far as the climate in the vineyards was concerned, the season got off to an average start. Flowering was a little late in June, but nothing to worry about. July and August were a mix of sunshine, heat and cool temperatures, allowing the grapes to develop normally. September set the tone for the vintage. The sun was out and the dry conditions were ideal for helping the grapes to develop properly.

As for the harvest, it took place in decent weather, with no rain.

As we said, the greatest successes are to be found in the wines of the Left Bank, whether in Pauillac, Saint-Julien or Margaux. The Pessac-Léognan appellation also did very well this vintage.

The 1966 vintage was of excellent quality, with ripe grapes and a decent harvest. In their youth, the wines were rich, powerful and charming. Then, after a few years, the tannins fade and the fruit is transformed into well-controlled notes of undergrowth.

We still have some great vintages from the 1966 vintage for you to discover, and we can't do without presenting the Château Gruaud-Larose 1966 which is one of Bordeaux's greatest successes in this vintage. In its youth, it was surprisingly powerful, almost reminiscent of a Pauillac! Its blackcurrant and cedar aromas and tannins were still very present at the time. Robert Parker predicted its peak in 2015! Suffice to say that today, the 1966 vintage must still be splendid to taste.

 

• The 1966 vintage in BOURGOGNE

After a number of complicated vintages in this decade, the 1966 vintage will be able to put a smile back on winegrowers' faces. Along with 1964 and 1961, it was arguably the vintage of the '60s. The beginning of the vine cycle was perfect, with ideal flowering and uniform vine development. Then came a mixed summer. July was fine, while August saw some rain but not much sunshine. As a result, the grapes were a little behind in their concentration when they went into September. But that was without counting on September, which offered a magnificent month of warm sunshine and dry weather. Ideal conditions for the Pinot Noir grapes to reach perfect ripeness. Whether in Côte de Nuits or Côte de Beaune, the wines are of excellent quality. Deep and full-bodied, but finer and less robust than the 1964 vintage, they give off the full expression of their terroir when young, with notes of red cherry, oak and fine minerality.

For white wines, 1966 is surely one of or the greatest vintage of the post-war period. White wine producers also enjoyed a superb year. The wines are deep, balanced and have good acidity, a sign of quality for ageing white wines. However, the Chablis vineyards were perhaps a little too greedy for this vintage, as production exceeded 100hl/ha. High yields for this appellation, which suggests that the wines will be lighter. And this was the case after tasting. The wines are fruity, round and easy to drink.

We no longer have any wines from 1966 to offer, but if you do come across a bottle from this vintage, take a good look at the ageing conditions and go for great estates, such as Henri Gouges in Nuit-Saint-Georges or Domaine Roumier in Chambolle-Musigny.

In white, we still have a reference. A Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Les Demoiselles by Domaine Amiot. Its golden color naturally announces a wine that is ready to drink, but which may surprise you with its truffle notes. Its slight oxidation is not disturbing, or will give a lively touch to a dish based on cream and a yellow wine sauce.

 

• Vintage 1966 in the rest of France

The 1966 vintage was a very good one for the vast majority of French vineyards.

In the Rhône ValleyThe wines are very interesting. The summer was classic and warm, with sunshine but not too much heat. This ensured that the grapes did not overload themselves with sugar. As a result, powerful yet balanced wines will be produced, with great success in the Hermitage and Cornas appellations. You can venture to taste wines from this vintage, but be careful to choose them carefully.

En Loire, in the end, a good vintage was produced. Heavy rainfall in June was not a good sign. And it's very good Cabernet Franc that will emerge from the soil to produce top-quality Chinon and Saumur-Champigny wines.

Another success story is for Champagne which produced a 1966 vintage of excellent quality. The wines are remarkable and well-balanced, with good density and structure. They will bring a certain backbone to Champagne blending.

 

> The best 1966 wines in stock!