Wine 1968 Bordeaux

Weather conditions of the 1968 vintage

The weather of 1968 presented a major challenge for Bordeaux's vineyards, creating a vintage defined by its extremes. The year began with a mild January and February, followed by an unusually warm March where temperatures reached 22°C, promoting early bud break. However, April marked a dramatic turning point, with snow covering the Médoc on the 6th and delaying the season's progression. May and June continued this swinging pattern, with flowering beginning around June 7th under uneven conditions. Heavy rains on June 18th disrupted the process, though a late June heat wave pushed temperatures to 38°C. July offered a glimmer of hope with more stable weather, but August shattered expectations, bringing the coldest and wettest conditions in nearly two decades. September's overcast skies and cool nights further hindered ripening, while the October harvest, begun in earnest on the 1st, saw initially clear skies give way to more rain by the 7th. Despite these trials, the 1968 Bordeaux vintage highlights the determination of winemakers who sorted grapes carefully to preserve quality, making it a fascinating chapter in Bordeaux wine history.

Left Bank

On Bordeaux's Left Bank, the 1968 vintage produced wines that reflect both the year's struggles and triumphs. The Médoc, including appellations like Pauillac and Graves, had to manage a massive harvest of water-swollen grapes, but certain châteaux distinguished themselves. Château Latour in Pauillac stands out as a bright spot, crafting a wine that critics judge superior to its 1963 counterpart and still enjoyable today with careful decanting. Its robust structure and lingering vigor make it a preferred choice for exploring 1968 Bordeaux wines. In Graves, Château Haut-Brion excelled through rigorous grape selection, yielding a fruity and balanced wine that ranks among the vintage's best. La Mission Haut-Brion also deserves mention, offering a soft and charming profile for devoted enthusiasts. While many 1968 Left Bank wines lack the longevity of sunnier years, these remarkable bottles provide a compelling reason to purchase 1968 Bordeaux from this region, blending historical intrigue with surprising drinkability.

Right Bank

Bordeaux's Right Bank in 1968 tells a similar story of adversity met with selective successes. The wet summer and cool nights slowed ripening in appellations like Saint-Émilion and Pomerol, leading to a vintage where only the best-performing producers shone. Château Cheval Blanc, a Right Bank icon, produced a wine that, while showing early signs of browning after bottling, retains some curiosity for collectors. However, it is Château Petrus in Pomerol that steals the show, producing one of the vintage's most celebrated wines. Renowned for its meticulous approach, Petrus delivered a 1968 Bordeaux wine with depth and balance, making it a rare treasure from this difficult year. For buyers seeking Right Bank gems, these wines offer an opportunity to own a piece of 1968's legacy, perfect for those who prioritize rarity over conventional grandeur in their vintage wine evaluations.

Sauternes: Sweet wines of the 1968 vintage

In Sauternes, the 1968 vintage presented an arduous landscape for sweet wine production, but it yielded bottles with unique appeal. A cool and humid September delayed the appearance of noble rot, with harvesting beginning late in the month. The fruit lacked the concentration of great years, and heavy rains on October 24th and 25th forced a pause in the harvest. Château d'Yquem, the region's benchmark, made a valiant effort, rejecting half its harvest and reserving the November pickings for its dry Y d'Yquem. The resulting sweet wine, though less rich than in exceptional vintages, offers light charm and historical significance for Sauternes enthusiasts. For those wishing to purchase 1968 Bordeaux sweet wines, this vintage offers an affordable entry into the world of Sauternes, with a story of perseverance that enhances its appeal.

Critics' reviews

Although Robert Parker's formal evaluations for Bordeaux's 1968 vintage are not detailed here, the general critical consensus aligns with The Wine Advocate's usual approach to atypical vintages: a focus on exceptional producers. Critics of the time, such as Penning-Rowsell, noted the vintage's challenges, observing early browning in wines like Lafite Rothschild and Cheval Blanc. Yet, Château Haut-Brion and Petrus regularly receive praise as the stars of the vintage, lauded for their fruitiness and balance despite the adversity. Château Latour also garners mentions for its durability, while Haut-Brion's offering in Graves is described as "soft and charming" decades later. For enthusiasts of vintage wine evaluations, these highlights suggest that 1968 Bordeaux wines from top estates offer more than meets the eye, making them an intriguing addition to any collection.

Why purchase 1968 Bordeaux wines?

Why should you purchase 1968 Bordeaux wines? This vintage is a collector's dream, offering rarity, history, and the excitement of discovery at a price often gentler than more renowned years. These bottles are over half a century old, embodying a snapshot of a challenging yet formative period in Bordeaux's winemaking saga. While not all wines from the 1968 Bordeaux vintage appeal today, the best from producers like Haut-Brion, Latour, and Petrus offer surprising vitality and character. Perfect for anniversaries, birth year celebrations, or simply exploring a lesser-known chapter of Bordeaux wine, these bottles stand apart from the crowd. Whether you're a seasoned collector or a curious novice, purchasing 1968 Bordeaux offers a chance to own a piece of wine history that is as unique as it is rare.