Bordeaux 2004 vintage: See Bordeaux region.

Adam Brett-Smith of Corney & Barrow described 2004 (Decanter, March 2007) as ‘a really nice vintage but doesn’t have the mantel of greatness.’ The crop was very large, the largest since 1996 topping 60hl/ha across the region with a huge sortie which necessitated green harvesting,’ for those able to do so if ripeness was not to be compromised, says Steven Spurrier, adding ‘it was also very dry. Growers on the right bank said it was a Merlot vintage, while growers on the left bank produced potentially superb Cabernet’.  In terms of pricing 2004 followed the ‘largely unwarranted 2003 price hikes,’ says Stephen Brook (September 2008, p.35-6)).

Bibliography

Steven Spurrier, ‘Bordeaux’s Real Vintage of the Century’, Decanter, March 2007.

Stephen Brook: September 2008, p.35-6).

Bibliography

Stephen Brook, ‘Beating the Crunch’, Decanter, September 2008, p.35-6.