Best Bordeaux Vintages of the Last 50 Years: A Collector’s Guide

Jul 17, 2025by David Bachus

From First Growth legends to Right Bank stunners, here’s your cheat sheet to the greatest Bordeaux vintages to buy, drink, and cellar.

What Are the Best Bordeaux Vintages for Collectors?

The most celebrated Bordeaux vintages combine ripeness, structure, and balance—plus the longevity that makes them blue-chip investments.

Top Bordeaux Vintages to Know:

  • 1982 – The vintage that changed everything. Lush, ripe, and collectible.

  • 1990 – Broadly outstanding on both banks. Rich, opulent, and aging beautifully.

  • 2000 – A millennium masterpiece. Classic structure with modern polish.

  • 2005 – Textbook Bordeaux: precise, age-worthy, and balanced.

  • 2009 – Hedonistic and lush. Ripe fruit with silky textures.

  • 2010 – Monumental structure and elegance. Built for decades.

  • 2016 – Harmonious, focused, and critically adored.

  • 2019 – Already a modern classic. Precision, freshness, and incredible value.

  • 2022 – Early tastings suggest greatness. Low yields, high concentration.

Left Bank vs Right Bank: What’s the Difference?

Left Bank Right Bank
Main Grape Cabernet Sauvignon–dominant Merlot–dominant
Famous Regions Pauillac, Margaux, St-Julien, St-Estèphe Saint-Émilion, Pomerol
Aging Potential Very long (20–40+ years) Often more approachable earlier
Style Structured, earthy, firm tannins Plush, round, generous fruit

Left Bank wines evolve slowly and reward patience. Think Château Latour, Lafite Rothschild, and Mouton. Right Bank wines often offer earlier drinking pleasure. Think Petrus, Cheval Blanc, and La Conseillante.

Best Bordeaux Vintages by Decade

1980s

  • 1982 – The game-changer. First modern-style Bordeaux.

  • 1989 & 1990 – Exceptional Right Bank years. Pomerol shines.

1990s

  • 1995 & 1996 – Underrated structure and ageability.

  • 1998 – Particularly strong in Saint-Émilion and Pomerol.

2000s

  • 2000 – Dense, ripe, beautifully balanced.

  • 2005 – Laser-focused structure, aging gracefully.

  • 2009 – Opulence meets drinkability.

  • 2010 – A titan. Will age for decades.

2010s–2020s

  • 2015 – Ripe, plush, Right Bank especially strong.

  • 2016 – One of the best modern vintages.

  • 2018–2020 – An excellent trilogy: '18 ripe, '19 fresh, '20 classic.

  • 2022 – Early reports signal exceptional quality.

Best Bordeaux Vintages to Buy Right Now

Vintage Why It Matters Ideal For
2010 Monumental structure and depth Long-term aging
2016 Elegant, fresh, and balanced Drinking now & later
2019 Critics’ darling with smart pricing Collecting & cellaring
2005 Classic structure, aging gracefully Mid-term cellaring
2000 Fully hitting its stride Ready to enjoy or hold

Tips for New Collectors

  • Start with Right Bank wines if you want something more approachable now.

  • Seek top producers even in less-hyped years for better value.

  • Prioritize pristine provenance: original wooden case (OWC), professional storage.

  • The “3-bottle rule”: one to drink, one to hold, one to sell or share.

FAQ: Bordeaux Vintages

What’s the most collectible Bordeaux vintage?
1982. It marked the stylistic shift toward modern Bordeaux and remains iconic.

Is 2010 better than 2009?
Yes, for long-term aging. 2010 is more structured and classical; 2009 is softer and more opulent.

How long should I age Bordeaux?
Left Bank: 20–40 years. Right Bank: 10–25 years, depending on producer and vintage.

Are newer vintages like 2016 and 2019 worth collecting?
Absolutely. These combine freshness with structure and are available at excellent price points.

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