Are 1993 wines any good? Full review

Is 1977 a year close to your heart? Is it a year of birth, a year of marriage or some other symbol that makes you want to offer or drink a wine from that year? Here's our full review of this special year for the French wine industry.

>1993 Grands Crus in stock!

 

• Vintage 1993 in BORDEAUX

The 1993 vintage is a very special one, demonstrating that no two years are alike and that one should never jump to conclusions, for better or for worse. 

Everything is off to a good start in the vineyard, with a very "classic" April, May and June. The vines developed quietly, without any setbacks or precocity. Then July was marked by very hot spells, warmer than normal, and August followed suit with exceptionally hot, sunny weather. So far, so good... Winegrowers still have in mind the 1991 & 1992 vintages, which recorded heavy rainfall and had disastrous consequences for the Châteaux of Bordeaux. This year, hostilities kicked off in the second week of September, with rainfall rising to a crescendo. All the critics went even further, quickly announcing that the rains of the 1993 vintage would be the heaviest of the last 30 years. The only good thing to come out of all this bad news is that the dry, cool weather will prevent mildew from settling on the grapes and developing its rot. In early tastings, the 1993s were deeper and richer than their last two big sisters. For connoisseurs of grands crus, we have the best of Bordeaux in this vintage. Château Latour 1993 with its structure and power, Château Margaux 1993 with its rich, velvety texture, or even Château Cheval Blanc 1993 with its finesse and delicacy.  

 

• Vintage 1993 in BOURGOGNE

After a fairly good year for Burgundy winegrowers, the 1993 vintage was to be a completely different story, giving owners a hard time. Although the beginning of the vegetative cycle was good, with the vines developing evenly, the rest was not so good. Summer got off to a good start with plenty of sunshine, allowing the grapes to develop well. However, periods of rain will put a stop to this development, and will begin to make a difference between those lucky enough to escape the drops and others who, unfortunately, will have to deal with them. On the whole, however, the majority of winegrowers will do well. Pinot Noir will be harvested under sunny skies, in good conditions. 

With their beautiful color, the red wines have a bright future ahead of them, and will open up over time. As for the whites, they benefited from an advance in ripeness at the beginning of the summer to gain in depth. 

When it comes to 1993 Burgundy, we're not as well off as with Bordeaux. We only have one reference, and it's no mean feat. A Volnay 1er Cru Carelles Dessous du Domaine François Buffet 1993. A fine Pinot Noir with a deep color. Enjoy with poultry in forest sauce, for example. 

 

• Vintage 1993 in VALLÉE DU RHÔNE

The 1993 vintage will hold many surprises for wine lovers and winemakers alike. The weather was not going to be kind to winegrowers in the northern Rhône Valley. The first few months, which kick-start bud development and the rest of the cycle, will be up to standard, but the rest of the event will not be pretty. Summer will be cool, with little sunshine, leaving no room for the grapes to ripen. Then September brought a lot of rain, which didn't go down very well with the wines. Rot will attack the grapes, bringing rot into the grapes. In other words, forget the wines of the northern Rhône Valley in the 1993 vintage.

While the weather is disastrous in the northern Rhône Valley, it will be milder in the southern part, with less impressive rainfall. So, yes, there will be very disparate maturities, levels and evolutions depending on the appellations and winemakers, but as a general rule, the wines of Châteauneuf du Pape are doing best in this southern part, closely followed by the wines of Gigondas, which are also going to do well. In their youth, the wines were bitter, tannic and unpleasant, but these are about to open up and soften, revealing fresh, ripe fruit. For the curious who want to taste the 1993 vintage, we have Châteauneuf du Pape from Domaine BeaurenardVery interesting, powerful and rich. Notes of old leather and tobacco blend together.  

 

• Vintage 1993 in the REST OF FRANCE

1993 is a rather complicated vintage for the wine drinker, with very different qualities depending on the region.  

Visit ChampagneIn spite of everything, it was a good year. The month of August had a lot to do with it, providing plenty of sunshine and enabling the grapes to reach a good level of ripeness. September's rains diluted the juice, but on the whole the winemakers were pleased with the ripeness on arrival.

Visit Loire the result is positive. The vines took the lead from the start of the vegetative cycle and maintained it throughout the summer. Overall, the wines are fruity, supple and express themselves over time. 

The most attractive region to linger in is the Roussillon. Although the rain won't spare them, a mistral wind will do the work and dry the grapes to prevent disease. Sunny, warm and powerful.