Vintage Chart
Vintage charts are broad-brush generalisations, based on weather conditions leading up to, and during the harvest. They should be considered in context. Gifted growers often make excellent wine in lesser vintages, just as, in outstanding years, mediocrity can prove a stronger force even than Mother Nature. Impressive longevity is all very well, but we also need something to drink in the shorter term, while we await the sleeping giants. In the enjoyment of wine, there is a place for everything, and a chart such as the one below is merely a start to putting everything in its place.
This chart is only relevant for wines of a quality that will improve with age.
Key To Symbols
 = Drink now
 = Wines to lay down
 = May be drunk now, the best will keep
 = Wines that are past their best
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1 = Very Poor
2 = Poor
3 = Unexciting
4 = Sound
5 = Average
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6 = Good, with variability
7 = Mostly good
8 = Good all round
9 = Very good
10 = Outstanding
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