2015 sets a vintage high-water mark

ENSCONCED in my cosy hotel room overlooking the harbour of Geteria, San Sebastian, I finally have time to catch my breath after running all too quickly through Italy, (Bolgheri and Toscana), Burgundy and Bordeaux. Over 14 days, it was a succession of meetings and discussions with vintners, owners, negociants and personal friends, tastings and deep conversations about vintage 2015 and its close relatives.

Looking back, 2015 has indeed been a vintage that has set a high-water mark, and it will be a defining vintage.

The growing conditions were pretty nearly spot on, with dry sunny weather at the right time and for the right length of time, then rain which fell end of August and early September which provided the right amount of moisture at the right time, and finally a dry harvesting period.