This Vintage Chart is provided as a guide for you. Vintage charts are always approximations. First, the regions invite the broadest of generalizations. Second, the best wine growers can often deliver little gems when the rest produce less than stellar wines. As with vintage charts, the maturity advisor is only a guide. Again, we are making the broadest generalizations. Different wine lovers have different expectations: some want more fruit, some more complexity. Also, bottles from older vintages can be highly variable due to cellaring differences and other circumstances. As always, we urge you to taste for yourself, keep an open mind and trust your own palate.
The following keys are used to evaluate the vintages and their maturity:
| 10 | Exceptional | A | Should be aged more |
| 8-9 | Excellent | B | Already good, better examples can improve further |
| 7 | Very Good | C | Ready to drink |
| 5-6 | Good | D | Danger that many wines are becoming too old |
| 0-4 | Fair to Poor | — | Not rated |
| FRANCE | |||||||||
| Bordeaux Red | Sauternes | Burgundy Red | Burgundy White | Alsace | Northern Rhône | Southern Rhône | Loire | Champagne | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 9 C | 8 C | 7 D | 8 D | 8 D | 9 D | 9 D | 7 D | 8 C |
| 1971 | 7 D | 6 D | 7 D | 7 D | 9 C | 7 D | 7 D | 9 C | 8 D |
| 1972 | 3 D | 3 D | 8 D | 7 D | 6 D | 7 D | 7 D | 2 D | 4 D |
| 1973 | 5 D | 6 D | 6 D | 8 D | 8 D | 7 D | 7 D | 6 D | 8 D |
| 1974 | 4 D | 4 D | 7 D | 7 D | 6 D | 7 D | 7 D | 5 D | 5 D |
| 1975 | 9 D | 9 C | 5 D | 6 D | 8 D | 6 D | 6 D | 7 D | 9 C |
| 1976 | 7 D | 7 C | 9 D | 8 D | 10 C | 8 D | 8 D | 8 C | 8 C |
| 1977 | 4 D | 3 D | 5 D | 6 D | 7 D | 5 D | 5 D | 2 D | 3 D |
| 1978 | 7 C | 7 D | 9 C | 8 D | 9 D | 8 C | 8 C | 8 D | 7 D |
| 1979 | 7 C | 6 C | 7 D | 7 D | 8 D | 6 D | 6 D | 6 D | 8 C |
| 1980 | 5 D> | 7 C | 6 D | 6 D | 7 D | 8 D | 8 D | 5 D | 7 D |
| 1981 | 7 C | 7 C | 7 D | 7 D | 7 D | 7 C | 7 C | 6 D | 8 D |
| 1982 | 10 B | 6 C | 5 D | 7 D | 8 D | 7 C | 7 C | 8 D | 9 C |
| 1983 | 8 B | 9 B | 8 C | 7 C | 10 C | 8 B | 8 B | 9 C | 7 C |
| 1984 | 4 D | 4 C | 6 D | 6 D | 6 D | 7 D | 7 D | 7 D | 4 D |
| 1985 | 9 B | 7 B | 6 C | 9 C | 9 B | 9 B | 7 C | 7 C | 9 B |
| 1986 | 9 B | 9 B | 6 C | 8 C | 7 C | 7 C | 7 C | 7 C | 7 C |
| 1987 | 6 C | 6 C | 7 C | 6 D | 7 C | 7 C | 6 C | 7 C | 5 D |
| 1988 | 8 B> | 10 B | 9 B | 7 B | 9 B | 9 B | 9 B | 8 C | 9 B |
| 1989 | 9 B | 10 B | 9 C | 9 B | 9 B | 9 B | 9 B | 9 C | 8 B |
| 1990 | 10 B | 10 B | 10 B | 9 C | 9 B | 9 B | 10 B | 10 C | 10 B |
| 1991 | 5 C | 5 C | 7 C | 5 C | 6 D | 9 B | 5 C | 5 D | 6 C |
| 1992 | 5 C | 5 C | 6 C | 8 B | 7 C | 5 C | 4 C | 6 C | 7 B |
| 1993 | 6 B | 5 C | 9 B | 6 C | 8 B | 4 C | 4 C | 7 C | 8 B |
| 1994 | 7 B | 5 C | 7 C | 8 C | 9 B | 8 B | 7 B | 8 C | 7 B |
| 1995 | 9 B | 7 B | 8 B | 10 B | 9 B | 9 B | 9 B | 8 C | 9 A |
| 1996 | 8 B | 8 B | 9 B | 9 B | 9 B | 8 B | 7 B | 9 C | 10 A |
| 1997 | 6 B | 9 B | 8 C | 9 B | 9 B | 7 B | 8 B | 10 C | 7 B |
| 1998 | 8 A | 7 A | 7 C | 7 C | 9 B | 9 B | 10 B | 8 C | 7 B |
| 1999 | 7 B | 6 B | 9 B | 9 B | 8 B | 10 A | 9 B | 7 C | 8 A |
| 2000 | 10 A | 6 A | 7 B | 7 A | 8 B | 9 A | 9 A | 8 C | 8 A |
| 2001 | 8 A | 10 A | 8 B | 7 B | 9 B | 9 A | 9 A | 8 C | 6 B |
| 2002 | 7 A | 7 A | 9 B | 9 A | 9 A | 7 B | 5 B | 9 B | 9 A |
| 2003 | 9 A | 8 A | 8 B | 7 A | 6 A | 9 A | 9 A | 9 B | 7 A |
| 2004 | 8 A | 7 A | 7 B | 6 A | 8 A | 8 A | 9 A | 8 B | 8 A |
| 2005 | 10 A | 9 A | 10 A | 9 A | 9 A | 9 A | 10 A | 9 B | 7 A |
| 2006 | 8 B | 8 A | 8 A | 9 A | 7 B | 9 A | 9 A | 6 B | ― |
| 2007 | 7 B | 9 A | 7 B | 8 A | 9 B | 8 A | 10 A | 8 B | ― |
| 2008 | 8 A | 7 B | ― | ― | ― | 7 B | 7 B | 7 B | ― |
| GERMANY | ITALY | PORTUGAL | SPAIN | ||||||||
| Rhine | Mosel | Piedmont | Tuscany | Veneto | Friuli | Port | Douro Red | Rioja | Ribera del Duero | Priorat | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 6 D | 6 D | 8 D | 9 C | 8 D | 5 D | 9 B | ― | 9 C | ― | ― |
| 1971 | 10 C | 10 D | 10 C | 10 C | 9 C | 8 D | ― | ― | 4 D | ― | ― |
| 1972 | 5 D | 6 D | 2 D | 5 D | 8 D | 7 D | ― | ― | 4 D | ― | ― |
| 1973 | 6 D | 6 D | 6 D | 5 D | 8 C | 7 D | ― | ― | 7 C | ― | ― |
| 1974 | 6 D | 6 D | 9 C | 9 D | 7 D | 6 D | ― | ― | 7 C | ― | ― |
| 1975 | 8 D | 9 C | 5 D | 9 C | 8 D | 5 D | 7 C | ― | 9 C | ― | ― |
| 1976 | 9 C | 9 C | 5 D | 6 D | 6 D | 8 D | ― | ― | 7 C | ― | ― |
| 1977 | 4 D | 5 D | 6 D | 9 C | 8 C | 6 D | 10 B | ― | 5 D | ― | ― |
| 1978 | 6 D | 6 D | 9 C | 10 C | 6 C | 8 D | 7 C | ― | 9 B | ― | ― |
| 1979 | 7 D | 7 D | 8 C | 8 C | 8 C | 9 C | ― | ― | 6 C | ― | ― |
| 1980 | 6 D | 7 D | 5 D | 5 D | 7 C | 5 D | 6 B | ― | 7 C | ― | ― |
| 1981 | 7 D | 7 D | 6 D | 6 D | 7 C | 7 C | ― | ― | 9 C | ― | ― |
| 1982 | 6 D | 7 D | 9 B | 7 C | 8 B | 9 B | 7 B | ― | 10 B | ― | ― |
| 1983 | 9 B | 9 B | 5 D | 7 C | 7 B | 8 C | 8 B | ― | 7 C | ― | ― |
| 1984 | 6 D | 6 D | 6 D | 6 D | 6 D | 6 D | ― | ― | 6 C | ― | ― |
| 1985 | 7 B | 7 B | 9 B | 9 C | 8 B | 8 B | 9 C | ― | 7 C | ― | ― |
| 1986 | 6 C | 6 C | 8 C | 8C | 8 C | 9 B | ― | ― | 7 C | ― | ― |
| 1987 | 6C | 6 C | 7 C | 7 C | 8 C | 7 C | 8 B | ― | 9 B | ― | ― |
| 1988 | 9 B | 9 B | 8 B | 10 B | 9 B | 7 C | ― | ― | 7 B | ― | ― |
| 1989 | 9 B | 9 B | 10 B | 6 C | 8 B | 9 B | ― | ― | 7 B | ― | ― |
| 1990 | 10 B | 10 B | 10 B | 10 B | 9 A | 9 B | ― | ― | 8 B | 8 B | ― |
| 1991 | 6 C | 6 C | 5 C | 6 C | 6 B | 6 B | 9 A | ― | 5 C | 9 B | ― |
| 1992 | 7 B | 7 B | 5 C | 6 C | 6 B | 6 B | 9 A | ― | 6 C | 9 B | ― |
| 1993 | 6 B | 8 B | 8 B | 7 B | 8 B | 5 B | ― | ― | 6 C | 9 B | ― |
| 1994 | 6 B | 8 B | 7 B | 7 B | 8 B | 6 B | 10 A | ― | 8 B | 8 B | ― |
| 1995 | 7 B | 9 B | 9 B | 9 B | 8 B | 7 B | 9 A | ― | 9 B | 8 B | ― |
| 1996 | 8 B | 8 B | 10 A | 8 B | 8 B | ― | ― | ― | 7 B | 9 B | ― |
| 1997 | 8 B | 8 B | 9 B | 9 B | 9 B | 9 B | 10 A | ― | 8 B | 7 B | ― |
| 1998 | 9 B | 9 B | 9 A | 9 B | 9 A | 9 B | ― | ― | 8 B | 9 B | ― |
| 1999 | 9 B | 10 C | 9 A | 9 B | 8 A | 8 B | ― | ― | 8 B | 6 B | ― |
| 2000 | 9 A | 9 A | 9 B | 9 A | 8 A | 8 B | 10 A | 9 B | 7 B | 8 B | 8 B |
| 2001 | 9 A | 9 A | 9 A | 9 B | 8 A | 7 B | 8 B | 7 B | 9 B | 9 B | 8 B |
| 2002 | 8 A | 8 A | 7 B | 7 B | 7 B | 7 B | ― | 5 B | 6 B | 6 C | 9 B |
| 2003 | 8 A | 8 A | 8 A | 8 A | 9 A | 9 A | 10 A | 8 B | 8 B | 8 B | 9 B |
| 2004 | 9 A | 9 A | 10 A | 9 A | 9 A | 8 A | 9 A | 8 B | 9 B | 9 B | 10 B |
| 2005 | 9 A | 10 A | 8 A | 8 A | 8 A | 8 A | 8 B | 8 B | 9 B | 8 B | 8 B |
| 2006 | 8 B | 8 B | 9 A | 10 A | 8 A | 8 B | ― | ― | 8 B | 8 A | 8 B |
| 2007 | 8 B | 9 A | ― | 9 A | ― | ― | 10 A | ― | 8 B | 8 B | 8 B |
| 2008 | 8 B | 8 A | ― | ― | ― | ― | ― | ― | ― | ― | ― |
| CANADA | AUSTRALIA | UNITED STATES | CHILE | ARGENTINA | SOUTH AFRICA | |||
| Niagara Peninsula | South Australia | Western Australia | California Cabernet | California Chardonnay | Red | Mendoza Red | Red | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | ― | 10 C | ― | 9 C | 8 D | ― | ― | ― |
| 1971 | ― | 5 D | ― | 8 D | 7 D | ― | ― | ― |
| 1972 | ― | 7 D | ― | 6 D | 6 D | ― | ― | ― |
| 1973 | ― | 10 C | ― | 7 D | 7 D | ― | ― | ― |
| 1974 | ― | 3 D | ― | 9 C | 8 D | ― | ― | ― |
| 1975 | ― | 7 D | ― | 7 D | 9 D | ― | ― | ― |
| 1976 | ― | 10 C | ― | 8 D | 8 D | ― | ― | ― |
| 1977 | ― | 7 D | ― | 7 D | 8 D | ― | ― | ― |
| 1978 | ― | 7 D | ― | 9 C | 8 D | ― | ― | ― |
| 1979 | ― | 8 D | ― | 8 D | 7 D | ― | ― | ― |
| 1980 | 8 D | 7 C | ― | 7 C | 7 D | ― | ― | ― |
| 1981 | 3 D | 4 D | ― | 8 C | 7 D | ― | ― | ― |
| 1982 | 6 D | 8 C | ― | 6 D | 7 D | ― | ― | ― |
| 1983 | 7 D | 4 D | ― | 7 C | 8 D | ― | ― | ― |
| 1984 | 4 D | 10 B | ― | 9 B | 8 D | ― | ― | ― |
| 1985 | 9 C | 9 B | ― | 9 B | 9 D | ― | ― | ― |
| 1986 | 4 D | 7 C | ― | 9 C | 8 D | ― | ― | ― |
| 1987 | 7 C | 8 C | ― | 9 C | 7 D | ― | ― | ― |
| 1988 | 9 C | 9 B | ― | 6 C | 7 D | ― | ― | ― |
| 1989 | 6 C | 9 B | ― | 6 C | 6 D | ― | ― | ― |
| 1990 | 9 B | 9 B | ― | 10 B | 8 C | ― | ― | ― |
| 1991 | 5 B | 9 B | ― | 9 B | 8 C | ― | ― | ― |
| 1992 | 8 B | 7 C | ― | 8 B | 9 C | ― | ― | ― |
| 1993 | 8 B | 8 C | ― | 8 B | 9 B | 8 B | ― | ― |
| 1994 | 7 B | 9 B | 8 B | 10 B | 7 B | 7 C | 8 C | ― |
| 1995 | 9 B | 7 B | 9 B | 9 B | 10 B | 9 B | 7 C | ― |
| 1996 | 8 B | 9 B | 8 B | 9 B | 9 B | 8 B | 9 B | 8 B |
| 1997 | 9 B | 8 B | 8 B | 10 B | 10 B | 9 B | 8 B | 9 B |
| 1998< | 8 B | 10 B | 9 A | 7 B | 8 B | 8 B | 8 B | 9 B |
| 1999 | 8 B | 8 B | 9 A | 9 A | 9 B | 9 A | 9 A | 8 B |
| 2000 | 7 B | 7 B | 8 A | 7 B | 8 A | 8 A | 9 A | 9 A |
| 2001 | 8 A | 9 A | 8 A | 9 A | 7 B | 9 A | 9 A | 8 A |
| 2002 | 8 A | 9 A | 9 A | 9 A | 9 B | 8 A | 10 A | 6 A |
| 2003 | 6 B | 8 A | 7 B | 8 A | 9 A | 9 A | 9 A | 10 A |
| 2004 | 8 A | 9 A | 8 B | 8 A | 9 A | 8 A | 8 A | 8 A |
| 2005 | 9 A | 10 A | 9 A | 9 A | 8 A | 8 A | 8 A | 7 A |
| 2006 | 8 A | 7 A | 8 B | 8 B | 8 B | 8 B | 9 A | 8 B |
| 2007 | 9 A | 8 A | 8 B | 9 B | 9 B | 8 B | 8 A | 8 B |
| 2008 | 8 B | 9 B | ― | 8 B | ― | 9 A | 8A | 7A |
