1959 is a truly great vintage and a superb success across most French wine regions. In Bordeaux, it even equaled or surpassed (in certain Grands Crus Classés) the 1961 vintage in terms of aging potential. The red wines of Bordeaux in 1959 are rich, massive and built to age for many years. The bottles have evolved very slowly. On the Right Bank (Saint-Émilion and Pomerol), the Merlots had not all recovered from the frost of 1956, and the successes were fewer than among the great wines of the Médoc. The Sauternes 1959 are excellent, and the finest can still be cellared. In Burgundy, 1959 is considered a great year and the reds are rich, complete and of majestic balance. The fine September rains contributed to the quality of the grapes, the harvest volume was abundant, and the level of the red Burgundies is impressive (as is their aging potential). The white Burgundies of 1959 are less successful. In Champagne, the 1959 vintage is superb. The wines are full-bodied and powerful yet rich and ripe, and therefore enjoy an enormous aging potential. The Rhône Valley is no exception, and powerful wines such as Hermitage will be drinkable for years to come. In Alsace, the 1959 vintage is described as exceptional, and one can still find very fine wines such as certain Gewurztraminer from Domaine Weinbach, which, having consumed their residual sugar, now lean toward a more mineral profile with aromas of quince. A superb 1959 for the Loire wines, with exceptional sweet wines from Quarts de Chaume and Bonnezeaux. Moreover, 1959 is undeniably the vintage of the century for the red wines of Chinon. Finally, the Jura produced magnificent 1959 vins jaunes that will delight enthusiasts.