Vintage 1980
In Bordeaux, the 1980 vintage was rated as weak and late (flowering, grape ripeness, and harvest date), and it was better to be situated among the lightest terroirs (such as at Château Margaux) to succeed that year (at the cost of delayed harvests and very strict sorting). A few red Bordeaux nevertheless managed to stand out (Château Latour, Château Margaux, Château Pichon Comtesse, Château Talbot, Château Mission Haut-Brion, Château Cheval Blanc, Château Pétrus, Château Certan de May...). In Sauternes 1980, a fine late season made it possible to produce beautiful wines, and Château d'Yquem, Château de Fargues and Château Climens were successful. In Burgundy, 1980 produced red Burgundies of uneven quality, as September was rainy and rot developed rapidly, requiring strict sorting of the grapes. Nevertheless, a few white Burgundy wines were of interest in the Côte de Beaune, where some reds retained a seductive character. A good 1980 vintage in Champagne (thanks to low yields and good acidity); in the Rhône Valley, yields were plentiful but quality was average to lightly structured. Diluted wines in the Loire Valley, and a poor vintage for Alsace wines (cold and rainy harvest).