1987 Vintage

The 1987 vintage holds a distinctive place in the history of French winemaking. Long overshadowed by the celebrated 1985, 1986, 1988, and 1989 vintages, it nevertheless deserves the attention of lovers of mature wines. Challenging weather conditions had a significant impact across the country’s wine regions, resulting in highly variable wines. While some appellations struggled to achieve full ripeness, others produced bottles that, when properly cellared, now offer a rewarding and characterful tasting experience.

Bordeaux in 1987

In Bordeaux, the 1987 vintage was shaped by unstable weather conditions. Following a relatively favorable spring, the summer proved cool and wet, slowing the ripening of the grapes. Harvesting often took place under challenging conditions, requiring estates to carry out rigorous grape selection to preserve wine quality. On the Left Bank, the leading estates of the Médoc succeeded in producing well-balanced wines through careful sorting and vineyard management. Pauillac, Saint-Julien, and Saint-Estèphe generally display a lighter structure than the great neighboring vintages, yet bottles from renowned châteaux can now reveal appealing aromas of leather, forest floor, cedar, and tobacco.

On the Right Bank, the weather conditions had a greater impact on Merlot. In Saint-Émilion and Pomerol, the results were more uneven, although some well-situated estates produced elegant wines that have now reached full maturity. The dry white wines of Pessac-Léognan retain impressive freshness, while the sweet wines of Sauternes and Barsac proved more variable, largely depending on the development of noble rot.

Burgundy Wines in 1987

Burgundy experienced a relatively cool growing season in 1987, encouraging slow and gradual grape ripening. Late-season rainfall occasionally complicated the harvest, requiring growers to carry out careful grape selection. Yields remained moderate, and the final quality of the wines largely depended on the decisions made in the vineyard. Today, the Pinot Noirs from the Côte de Nuits and Côte de Beaune display refined, delicate profiles in which elegance takes precedence over power. Over the years, the tannins have softened, revealing an aromatic palette dominated by stewed red fruits, dried leaves, sweet spices, forest floor, and, in some cases, subtle smoky notes.

The finest Premier Crus and Grands Crus have retained remarkable freshness, allowing them to continue appealing to lovers of mature Burgundy wines. Appellations such as Gevrey-Chambertin, Vosne-Romanée, Chambolle-Musigny, Volnay, and Pommard produced the most successful wines in the hands of the region’s most meticulous growers. The white wines of the Côte de Beaune display a particularly harmonious profile. Meursault, Puligny-Montrachet, and Chassagne-Montrachet from leading estates now reveal aromas of hazelnut, fresh butter, honey, dried flowers, and flint, while retaining enough acidity to preserve their balance and elegance.

The 1987 Vintage in the Rhône Valley

In the Northern Rhône, relatively cool weather limited grape concentration but still allowed the finest terroirs to produce well-balanced wines. Today, the Syrahs display a classic expression of the variety, with aromas of black pepper, leather, olive, faded violet, licorice, and game. Appellations such as Côte-Rôtie, Hermitage, Cornas, and Saint-Joseph have produced wines whose structure has softened with age, emphasizing finesse rather than power. Growers who kept yields low and harvested fully ripe fruit succeeded in crafting bottles that continue to offer considerable interest today.

In the Southern Rhône, the results were more uneven. Châteauneuf-du-Pape shows considerable variation from one estate to another. The finest cuvées now display aromas of garrigue, leather, candied red fruits, thyme, and sweet spices, while some simpler wines have evolved more quickly. Gigondas and Vacqueyras also produced some noteworthy wines, particularly from the region’s most respected producers.

1987 Champagnes

In Champagne, the 1987 vintage produced wines defined by freshness and finesse. Relatively moderate temperatures helped preserve vibrant natural acidity, a key factor in the long-term aging potential of sparkling wines. Not every Champagne house chose to release a vintage-dated 1987, but several prestigious cuvées from that year have evolved remarkably well. After decades of cellar aging, their primary fruit aromas have given way to notes of toasted brioche, dried fruit, hazelnut, honey, beeswax, and occasionally a hint of light coffee. The finest 1987 Champagnes are appreciated more for their aromatic complexity than for their power, offering a fine illustration of the aging potential of great cuvées that have been carefully cellared.

What Is the Aging Potential of the 1987 Vintage?

Today, the 1987 vintage is best enjoyed at full maturity. The finest bottles come from the most respected estates, whose expertise enabled them to make the most of a challenging growing season. These wines now display an aromatic profile dominated by tertiary notes such as leather, tobacco, truffle, forest floor, mushrooms, dried fruits, spices, and fine wood. Their current quality depends above all on their provenance and storage conditions. A bottle that has been carefully cellared can deliver a remarkably balanced and rewarding tasting experience, whereas a wine that has been poorly stored is likely to have declined significantly over time.

SoDivin Selection

CHÂTEAU GISCOURS 1987

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CHÂTEAU BEYCHEVELLE 1987

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GUIGAL La Landonne 1987

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