Vintage 1998

The 1998 vintage varies considerably depending on the region. In Piedmont, it delivered more structure and potential than 1997, along with some very fine, elegant wines. For Brunello, a long, hot, dry summer placed the vines under drought stress, and rain from the third week of September onwards split the harvest in two; the picture is heterogeneous, and the choice of producer is decisive. In the southern Rhône, 1998 is regarded as a benchmark vintage, with Grenache achieving full ripeness despite a large crop. Champagne combined the rare pairing of high sugar and high acidity, and the Chardonnay is considered exceptional.

Today, the most rewarding bottles to drink from this year are above all the taut Côte-Rôties, which are now approaching their peak, mature Brunellos from good producers, and the finest Champagnes, with their elegance and freshness. From 1998, we offer the Vieux Marc de Bandol from Château de Pibarnon in Provence – not a wine, but a mature marc, available in a 700 ml bottle, a magnum and a double magnum. Older vintages come and go with us in small quantities, while neighbouring vintages can be reached via the vintage bar below this text.