Our view on the 1980 vintage
In Bordeaux the 1980 vintage was noted to be quite weak and late (in terms of flowering, maturity of the grapes, and harvest dates) and it was better to be located among the lightest soils (Such as in Margaux or Graves – Pessac Leognan) to have a successful 1980 year – but only at the price of the delayed harvest and a very important sorting). Some red Bordeaux wines were able to get by (1980 Chateau Latour, 1980 Chateau Margaux, 1980 Chateau Pichon Comtesse, 1980 Chateau Talbot, 1980 Chateau Mission Haut Brion, 1980 Chateau Cheval Blanc, 1980 Chateau Petrus, 1980 Chateau Certan de May..). In 1980 Sauternes, a good late season made it possible to produce beautiful wines and 1980 Chateau Yquem, 1980 Chateau De Fargues or 1980 Chateau Climens were very successful. In 1980 in Burgundy, the vintage gave 1980 red Burgundy of uneven quality, because September was rainy, and the rot having developed quickly, it was necessary to sort the grapes severely. Despite everything, some 1980 white Burgundy wines were interesting in the Cote de Beaune and some reds retained a seductive character. Good 1980 Vintage in Champagne (thanks to a small quantity and a beautiful acidity) ; in the Rhone Valley, the quantity was plethoric and of medium to weakly structured quality. Diluted wines in the Loire Valley, and a rather weak vintage for Alsace wines (cold and rainy harvests).