The 1945 vintage: a very good vintage.

by Julie Berteloot 30 April 2024

30 April 2024 2.4K views

The sky offered one of the most famous vintages of the 20th century. The quality of the grapes combined with a very small production due to the weather explains the exceptional concentration of this vintage. Thanks to their unimaginable concentration, many vintages, the first ones at the top, still retain a stunning youthfulness. On April 6, 1995, at Christie’s, a magnum of Mouton Rothschild 1945 and a magnum of Petrus 1945 each reached 28,000 francs.

Bordeaux :

After a snowy May 1st and a day of frost, the cold snap reduced the harvest terribly. Wines, already at the time, were selling very expensive because there were very few on the market. Austere, with rough tannins, they take a long time to open up. Over time, they softened and their reputation became unshakeable. The sweet wines are not to be outdone, they are extraordinary and they can be kept for decades.

Burgundy :

Spring started very well, however, the snow and frost of May 1st and 2nd destroyed part of the harvest. Despite all these worries, it is a good year, where the Chardonnay shows superb finesse and solid character traits. Little wine but it is very concentrated in pinot noir. The vintage is excellent. These are dry, firm, solid wines, with a beautiful color and well constituted. Excellent aging potential, the best are still magnificent. As for the white wines, they are also very good.

Bordeaux vines spring from the 1945 vintage

Rhône Valley:

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.

Champagne :

Exceptional quality grapes which produce full-bodied and elegant wines. Straw gold, with lovely fine and numerous bubbles, a pleasant nose. Notes of white truffle and humus dominate, highlighted by a touch of lime blossom infusion. The palate is fresh, ample and has a pleasant finish with notes of dried fruit and gingerbread. Excellent champagnes, rich, powerful and of good length.

The 1945 vintage: a very good vintage.

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