Bordeaux Vintages Guide 2009-2022: Best Years to Buy and Cellar

By Johan Clerc — Founder, Wines & Spirits SA · 25+ years sourcing Bordeaux Grand Cru · Switzerland

In Bordeaux, the vintage matters more than anywhere else in the world of fine wine. Indeed, the region’s Atlantic-influenced climate produces remarkable variability from one year to the next. Furthermore, frost in spring, hail in summer, and autumn rains during harvest can transform a promising vintage into a difficult one — or elevate a quiet year into something exceptional. Estate quality always counts, of course. However, the vintage sets the ceiling that even the greatest châteaux cannot exceed.

This guide rates the 14 most relevant modern Bordeaux vintages from 2009 to 2022. Specifically, we cover ratings, drinking windows, investment outlook, and which châteaux performed best in each year. Moreover, every assessment draws on 25 years of personal tasting, allocation relationships, and cellar acquisitions at the heart of the Bordeaux trade.

Quick Reference: 2009-2022 at a Glance

• 2009 — ★★★★★ Legendary · Drink 2025-2050 · Generous, ripe, opulent
• 2010 — ★★★★★ Legendary · Drink 2025-2055 · Structured, classical, ageworthy
• 2011 — ★★★ Good · Drink now-2030 · Lighter, early-drinking
• 2012 — ★★★ Good · Drink now-2030 · Uneven, Right Bank stronger
• 2013 — ★★ Challenging · Drink now-2025 · Difficult year, skip mostly
• 2014 — ★★★½ Very good · Drink 2024-2035 · Classical, balanced
• 2015 — ★★★★★ Legendary · Drink 2025-2050 · Excellent, especially Right Bank
• 2016 — ★★★★★ Legendary · Drink 2026-2055 · Excellent, especially Left Bank
• 2017 — ★★★ Good · Drink now-2030 · Frost-affected, mixed quality
• 2018 — ★★★★½ Excellent · Drink 2026-2045 · Powerful, ripe, modern
• 2019 — ★★★★½ Excellent · Drink 2027-2045 · Classical, fresh, age-worthy
• 2020 — ★★★★ Very good · Drink 2027-2042 · Hot, dense, dramatic
• 2021 — ★★★ Good · Drink 2026-2035 · Cool, classical return
• 2022 — ★★★★★ Legendary · Drink 2030-2055 · Heatwave, exceptional ripeness

The Legendary Vintages: 2009, 2010, 2015, 2016, 2022

Five vintages stand apart in modern Bordeaux history. Indeed, these are the years that define collector portfolios and anchor the most ambitious cellars. Furthermore, each demonstrates a distinct character — proof that “legendary” does not mean uniform.

2009: Solar Opulence

The 2009 growing season was warm, sunny, and generous from start to finish. Specifically, it produced wines of unusual ripeness, with creamy textures and immediate accessibility. Moreover, despite the youth-friendly profile, the structure underneath ensures decades of cellaring potential. In particular, Pomerol and Saint-Émilion produced wines of almost shocking opulence. Meanwhile, the Médoc delivered the firmer side of 2009: powerful, balanced, and built for the long term.

Top performers include Petrus, Cheval Blanc, Mouton Rothschild, Lafite Rothschild, and Haut-Brion. Indeed, this remains one of the easiest legendary vintages to enjoy young while still rewarding patience.

2010: Classical Power

Where 2009 charms with opulence, 2010 commands with structure. Indeed, this is the textbook classical Bordeaux vintage — high tannin levels, vibrant acidity, and the kind of architectural precision that requires patience. Furthermore, 2010 wines are showing signs of opening only now, fifteen years after harvest. Specifically, expect mineral tension, dark-fruit concentration, and an austere elegance that softens beautifully with decanting.

Top performers include Latour, Margaux, Léoville Las Cases, Pichon Lalande, and Ausone. Importantly, this is the vintage to cellar for the next generation rather than open today.

2015: The Right Bank Triumph

The 2015 vintage favoured the Right Bank. Specifically, Pomerol and Saint-Émilion delivered wines of exceptional balance — ripe Merlot framed by elegant tannins and substantial freshness. Moreover, the Left Bank produced excellent wines as well, though slightly more variable depending on terroir.

Top performers include Petrus, Lafleur, Cheval Blanc, Vieux Château Certan, Le Pin, and Angélus. Furthermore, the vintage offers good drinking now while continuing to reward another decade of cellaring.

2016: The Left Bank Triumph

If 2015 belongs to the Right Bank, 2016 belongs unambiguously to the Left. Indeed, the Médoc produced one of its greatest vintages of the century — Cabernet Sauvignon at peak ripeness, precise tannin extraction, and outstanding freshness. Furthermore, the wines combine the classical structure of 2010 with a touch of the generosity of 2009. As a result, 2016 may well be the most complete modern Bordeaux vintage.

Top performers include Mouton Rothschild, Lafite, Latour, Margaux, Pichon Comtesse, Léoville Las Cases, and Haut-Brion. Importantly, this is the vintage to focus collector budgets on if forced to choose just one.

2022: The Heatwave Phenomenon

The 2022 growing season recorded one of the hottest summers in Bordeaux history. Therefore, conventional wisdom would have predicted overcooked, jammy wines. However, the vintage defied expectations. Specifically, deep root systems on the best terroirs accessed cool subsoil water reserves, while careful canopy management preserved freshness. Consequently, 2022 produced wines of extraordinary concentration with surprising tension — a paradox the trade is still processing.

Top performers include Petrus, Latour, Mouton Rothschild, Lafite, Ausone, and Vieux Château Certan. Furthermore, 2022 is the vintage to lay down now and forget about for at least seven to ten years.

The Excellent Vintages: 2018, 2019, 2020

These three vintages occupy the tier just below legendary. Indeed, each produced wines of high quality but with distinctive character. Furthermore, the run of strong vintages from 2018 to 2020 redefined what collectors expect from contemporary Bordeaux.

2018: Power and Ripeness

The 2018 vintage delivered powerful wines built on ripe tannins and dense fruit concentration. Indeed, mildew pressure during the growing season required careful canopy management. However, the eventual harvest produced wines of impressive density across both banks. Specifically, expect Bordeaux in its most modern, riper-vintage style.

Top performers include Cheval Blanc, Mouton Rothschild, Vieux Château Certan, Le Pin, and Petrus.

2019: The Classical Counterpoint

Where 2018 emphasises power, 2019 returns to classical Bordeaux balance. Indeed, the wines show fresh acidity, refined tannins, and that elegant restraint the region’s traditionalists prize. Moreover, 2019 is showing exceptionally well in young tastings and will reward another decade of cellaring. We currently stock several outstanding 2019 expressions, including the Pichon Longueville Comtesse 2019 in magnum, the Haut-Brion 2019, and the Figeac 2019 in six-bottle case.

Top performers include Pichon Comtesse, Haut-Brion, Cheval Blanc, Figeac, Léoville Las Cases, and Lafite.

2020: The Hot, Dramatic Year

The 2020 growing season was hot and dry, producing wines of considerable density and concentration. Furthermore, certain terroirs handled the heat better than others. Specifically, deeper-rooted parcels on calcaire and gravel produced wines of remarkable balance, while shallower soils sometimes showed signs of stress. As a result, terroir mattered more than usual in 2020 — and the top châteaux confirmed their dominance.

Top performers include Petrus, Lafleur, Latour, Mouton Rothschild, and Pavie.

The Classical Style Returns: 2014, 2021

Two vintages stand out for returning to the lighter, more classical Bordeaux profile that defined the region for much of the 20th century. Indeed, in an era of heatwaves and over-ripe vintages, both 2014 and 2021 offer collectors something increasingly rare: fresh, restrained, food-friendly Bordeaux at accessible price points.

The 2014 vintage produced balanced wines with fresh acidity and moderate concentration. Furthermore, the Médoc performed particularly well. Specifically, Léoville Barton, Pichon Baron, and Pontet-Canet delivered excellent value. Moreover, these wines are drinking beautifully now while still capable of another decade of cellaring.

The 2021 vintage came after the run of hot years (2018-2020) and shocked the trade with its cool, classical profile. Indeed, the wines are lighter than the previous three vintages but show genuine elegance and freshness. Therefore, 2021 represents excellent value for early drinking and offers a counterpoint to the modern, ripe-style Bordeaux that has dominated recent years.

The Off-Vintages: 2011, 2012, 2013, 2017

Every region has difficult years, and Bordeaux is no exception. However, “difficult” does not always mean “skip” — it means choose more carefully. Indeed, top châteaux often produce surprisingly good wines even in challenging vintages, thanks to severe selection and modern winemaking techniques.

2011 produced lighter, earlier-drinking wines. Furthermore, the top names made very good bottles, but the broader market underperformed. 2012 was uneven — the Right Bank generally outperformed the Left, with Pomerol delivering some genuinely fine wines. 2013 was the most challenging of the modern era. Specifically, autumn rain and rot diluted many wines, and only a handful of top estates managed something genuinely memorable. As a result, this is one of the few vintages we recommend skipping entirely except for the very greatest names.

2017 suffered the worst spring frost in decades, devastating yields across many appellations. However, the surviving wines from the top châteaux are genuinely good — concentrated, balanced, and offering relative value. Indeed, this is the off-vintage where it pays most to focus on first-growth and equivalent properties.

Left Bank vs Right Bank: Why It Matters by Vintage

Bordeaux divides into two great halves around the Gironde estuary. Specifically, the Left Bank (Médoc, Pessac-Léognan) is Cabernet Sauvignon territory — gravel soils, structured wines, slow evolution. Meanwhile, the Right Bank (Saint-Émilion, Pomerol) is Merlot country — clay and limestone soils, plump fruit, earlier accessibility.

Importantly, this geographic divide explains why some vintages favour one bank over the other. Specifically, hot years generally favour the Left Bank (Cabernet needs heat to fully ripen), while moderate years favour the Right Bank (Merlot reaches optimal ripeness earlier). For instance, 2015 favoured Merlot, 2016 favoured Cabernet, and 2018 favoured both. Therefore, building a balanced Bordeaux cellar requires selecting both banks across multiple vintages.

Investment Outlook: Which Vintages Hold Value

From an investment perspective, three factors drive long-term Bordeaux appreciation: vintage quality, brand strength, and supply scarcity. Indeed, the legendary vintages (2009, 2010, 2015, 2016, 2022) consistently outperform the broader Bordeaux index. Furthermore, the top eight châteaux (Lafite, Latour, Mouton, Margaux, Haut-Brion, Petrus, Cheval Blanc, Ausone) appreciate faster than the rest of the classified growths combined.

However, collector demand has shifted in recent years. Specifically, Pomerol garage wines (Le Pin, Lafleur) have outperformed many first-growths over the past decade. Moreover, Saint-Émilion premier grand cru classé A wines (Cheval Blanc, Ausone, Pavie, Angélus) have built strong followings in Asia. As a result, building a diversified Bordeaux investment portfolio increasingly means going beyond the traditional 1855 Left Bank classification.

For collectors entering the category, our recommendation is straightforward. Indeed, focus on legendary vintages from top châteaux, store correctly, and hold for at least seven to ten years. Furthermore, magnum formats outperform standard bottles over the long term, both in flavour development and resale value.

Cellaring Guidelines

Bordeaux requires precise storage conditions to reach its peak potential. Specifically, the four critical parameters are:

• Temperature — constant 12-14°C, never above 18°C. Importantly, stability matters more than the absolute number.
• Humidity — 70-80% to keep corks supple. Furthermore, lower humidity dries corks and oxidises wine prematurely.
• Light — total darkness. Indeed, UV exposure breaks down phenolic compounds and produces “lightstruck” off-flavours.
• Position — horizontal storage with the cork in contact with the wine.

At Wines & Spirits SA, our climate-controlled cellar in Eclépens maintains these exact conditions year-round. Therefore, every bottle we ship has been stored under optimal parameters since acquisition.

Buying Bordeaux at Wines & Spirits SA

We maintain one of Switzerland’s most carefully curated Bordeaux selections. Furthermore, every bottle in our cellar carries verified provenance and has been stored under climate-controlled conditions since acquisition. Specifically, our focus rests on the legendary vintages (2009, 2010, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019, 2022) from the top châteaux, alongside excellent value picks from off-vintages where selection matters most.

Browse our complete Bordeaux Grand Cru collection, explore our wider fine wines selection, or discover our equally curated Burgundy and Champagne ranges. For investment-grade allocations or specific vintage requests, contact our team directly.

Furthermore, we ship across Switzerland, the EU, the USA, and worldwide. Importantly, EU shipments dispatch directly from France — no customs friction for European customers.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best Bordeaux vintage of the past 15 years?

2016 is widely regarded as the most complete modern Bordeaux vintage, particularly for Left Bank wines. However, 2010 remains the choice for pure classical structure, and 2009 for opulent generosity. Furthermore, 2022 may eventually claim the top spot once the wines mature.

How long should I cellar Bordeaux?

Top-tier Bordeaux from legendary vintages typically requires 15-25 years to reach peak drinking. Furthermore, classified growths from very good vintages need 10-15 years. Importantly, off-vintages should be drunk earlier, generally within 5-10 years of release.

Are Bordeaux magnums worth the premium?

Yes — both for cellaring and investment. Specifically, the magnum format ages more slowly due to a lower wine-to-air ratio, which produces more harmonious development. Moreover, secondary-market prices for magnums consistently outperform 750ml bottles of the same vintage and château.

Should I buy Bordeaux en primeur or after bottling?

It depends on the vintage and château. Indeed, en primeur (futures) buying typically secures the lowest prices, but only for highly sought-after wines that will appreciate after release. However, for less rare wines, post-bottling purchases offer better certainty on actual quality and similar pricing. Therefore, en primeur makes most sense for first-growths and equivalent properties in legendary vintages.

Which Bordeaux vintages should I avoid?

2013 is the only modern vintage we recommend skipping outright for most châteaux. Furthermore, 2011 and 2017 produced uneven results — buy only from very top names in those years. Importantly, 2012 is more nuanced: the Right Bank performed well, while the Left was inconsistent.

Can I buy investment-grade Bordeaux in Switzerland?

Yes. Indeed, Wines & Spirits SA offers investment-grade Bordeaux allocations from legendary vintages, with verified provenance and climate-controlled storage since acquisition. Furthermore, we provide written documentation on every bottle and ship globally with full export support.

Final Thoughts

Bordeaux remains the global benchmark for collectible wine. Indeed, the combination of vintage variability, classification heritage, and unmatched scale of production creates a wine category where careful vintage selection yields disproportionate rewards. Furthermore, the past fifteen years have produced an unusual concentration of legendary vintages — 2009, 2010, 2015, 2016, and now 2022 — giving collectors an embarrassment of riches to choose from.

For Swiss and European collectors building serious cellars, Wines & Spirits SA offers verified provenance, climate-controlled storage, and direct allocations across the most respected châteaux of the region.

Johan Clerc is the founder of Wines & Spirits SA, a Switzerland-based specialist retailer of fine wines, rare Japanese whisky, collectible craft beer, and premium spirits. With over 25 years sourcing the world’s most sought-after bottles, the company serves collectors across Switzerland, Europe, and worldwide from its Eclépens cellar.