Despite potentially trying conditions, the MMD interests in Bordeaux have received strong ratings from critics, with Petrus obtaining 18.5/20 from Steven Spurrier and Ch de Pez featuring in his top St-Estephes choices.

Harvest report: Spring was uneven with some warm days and rain. In the Medoc a hot period in June led to good weather for flowering but then July and early August were dull and below average temperatures. Finally in mid-August the weather improved, the sun came out and a remarkably long spell of hot dry weather set in throughout September and until the end of October.

The Indian Summer saved the vintage, allowing the grapes to ripen completely. This was this specially beneficial in the Médoc for the Cabernets. Chateaux were able to spread out their programme of picking to harvest each parcel at its optimal ripeness.

At Pichon Lalande the harvest ran for an unprecedented five weeks from 16^th September to 20^th October as they waited for each plot to ripen perfectly.

While we wait for prices and allocations, please see the attached PDF for more information on the harvest and ratings from Steven Spurrier and Jancis Robinson OBE MW.