The 1945 vintage: a very good vintage.

by Julie Berteloot
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Millésime 1945

The heavens blessed us with one of the most celebrated vintages of the 20th century. The combination of exceptional grape quality and a very small harvest due to weather conditions explains the remarkable concentration of this vintage. Thanks to their incredible intensity, many crus—especially the premiers—still retain an astonishing youthfulness. On April 6, 1995, at Christie’s, a magnum of Mouton Rothschild 1945 and a magnum of Petrus 1945 each sold for 28,000 francs.

The Wines of 1945 in Bordeaux

Bordeaux vines from the very good 1945 vintage

After a snowy May 1st and a day of frost, the cold snap drastically reduced the harvest. Even at the time, the wines sold for very high prices because so few were available on the market. Austere and marked by firm tannins, they take a long time to open up. Over the years, however, they have softened, and their reputation has become unshakable.


The sweet wines are no exception — they are extraordinary and can still age for decades. The red wines are powerful, concentrated, tannic, and built for long aging. Most 1945 wines require about fifty years for their tannins to fully mellow.

The Burgundy Region in 1945

Spring began very well in Burgundy; however, the snow and frost of May 1st and 2nd destroyed part of the harvest. Despite these challenges, it turned out to be a very good year, with Chardonnay showing superb finesse and strong character. The production was small, but the Pinot Noir was highly concentrated. The vintage is considered excellent — the wines are dry, firm, solid, beautifully colored, and well-structured. With excellent aging potential, the best bottles remain magnificent even today. As for the white wines, they are also of very high quality.

Burgundy Vineyards

The Wines of the Rhône Valley in 1945

Sunny Rhône Valley from 1945

A fantastic, fabulous and incredible vintage according to the book 1900-2000 a century of vintages. The Hermitage appellation is at the top alongside the Châteauneuf-du-Pape appellation. This is a superb vintage, with heart and character. The wines are superb, rich and powerful, with good length on the palate and a complex bouquet.

The Champagnes of the Year 1945

The year 1945 in Champagne stands out for its exceptional grape quality, producing wines that are structured, elegant, and deeply aromatic. The champagnes of this vintage display a bright straw-gold hue, enlivened by fine and persistent bubbles.

On the nose, one discovers a refined bouquet dominated by notes of white truffle, humus, and linden infusion — the hallmark of great aged champagnes. On the palate, the texture is fresh, generous, and harmonious, with a long, flavorful finish highlighted by aromas of dried fruits and gingerbread.

The 1945 Champagnes captivate with their richness, power, and remarkable balance, perfectly embodying the excellence of the Champagne terroir at the end of the Second World War.

Champagne Vineyards in 1945

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