Wine 2017

Our view on the 2017 vintage

The 2017 vintage was marked by low volume of grapes, because of the frost (similar to 1991 vintage). However, some plots were saved from the frost, such as in Margaux and Saint Julien (Left Bank, Bordeaux), as well as certain parcels on the Right Bank (Pomerol and Saint Emilion). As a result, 2017 Bordeaux wines may be concentrated and rich while other wines will be more subtle red Bordeaux wines. The big producers knew how to adapt to the lack of concentration of the 2017 vintage, similar to 2014, in order to produce elegant wines such as Chateau Evangile. There are also great 2017 wines in the Medoc, as for instance in Saint Estephe, Pauillac and in Pessac Leognan (in the Graves).

Burgundy stood out in 2017, except in Chablis and some South Burgundy areas (in the Maconnais) that have suffered from weather hazards. The Cote de Nuits had a good harvest, spared from frost, and promises great Burgundy red wines. Some winemakers compare the important volume of 2017 to the one of 2009. The 2017 Burgundy red Grand Cru wines are splendid, especially in Gevrey and Chambertin. Vosne Romanee and Morey Saint Denis are superb, as well as Clos de la Roche and Clos Saint Denis. Some plots have been very much affected by the frost on the Cote Chalonnaise, notably Givry, Bouzeron, Mercurey and Rully.

The Northern Rhone Valley was spared from weather hazards in 2017. The Rhone red wines are charming, with silky tannins, like the 2017 Cornas produced by Vincent Paris. The white wines of the Northern Rhone valley are more tricky: concentrated, with a medium to high alcohol and medium to low acidity. 2017 Saint Peray wines are a success, combining richness and freshness. The 2017 Condrieu wines are generous and lovely, as the most important producers made up for the lack of acidity by working on the bitterness of their wines, in order to bring more balance, like Cuilleron or Gerin. Hermitage designation of origin has produced more white wines than in 2016: the 2017 Hermitage wines are more tropical, richly textured and deep.

Provence and Corsica suffered from a severe drought in 2017. Hydric stress has resulted in poor harvests in volume but high concentration of aromas. The white wines are less crisp than in 2016, with more bitterness. The red wines are full bodied with charming texture, sometimes jammy, like the 2017 Abbatucci wines.

Which 2017 wine to buy? Our 2017 best buying advices

You may want to forget about your 2016 and 2015 Bordeaux, in order to taste your 2017 Bordeaux that will be lovely in their youth.

Enjoy the Burgundy white wines from the Cote Chalonnaise in their youth as well. The Pinot Noir wines from the Cote de Nuits are splendid, soft, and juicy. The pleasure is immediate and the 2017 vintage will be ready to drink sooner. 2017 Nuits Saint Georges, on the other hand, will present a longer aging potential. Same success for the 2017 Beaujolais wines, where the gamay offers a aging potential of 5 to 10 years depending on the cuvee, as for instance the 2017 Morgon produced by Marcel Lapierre.

2017 Alsace white wines present great ageing potential, particularly the dry Muscat wines and the 2017 Alsace Riesling coming from the mid-slope plots. 2017 Alsace Grand Cru Gewurztraminer wines are of great quality and taste beautifully at the moment but could also be cellared for few years.

In the Loire valley, the 2017 Loire red wines are very contrasted. Some Cabernet Francs wines are already ready to drink, especially in Bourgueil (such as Bel Air estate), and Chinon, while other wines are particularly suited for cellaring, such as Saumur Champigny. The 2017 dry white wines from Loire valley are very well-made, especially the wines produced under biodynamic methods.

Would you like to buy a 2017 vintage wine? Are you looking for a 2017 vintage wine as a wedding gift or a birth gift? Discover our selection of wines, anniversary vintages, and grand crus from 2017 vintage ! At Vins & Millesimes, our wines bottles and 2018 magnums are always 100% in stock, fastly delivered, and at the best price!