Bordeaux 2011: Merlot succeeds in ‘unpredictable’ year (France)

The first London tasting of 2011 right bank wines has confirmed oenologist Denis Dubourdieu’s comments that the vintage is as varied as the bizarre weather patterns that produced it. In his annual report the renowned consultant talks about the ‘unpredictable consequences’ of the incredibly hot spring, cool July, rainy August and Indian summer. Winners this year are Merlot-based wines on clay and limestone soils, Cabernet Sauvignon on gravel and clay-gravel, the Botrytised sweet wines of Sauternes and Barsac, and the whites of Pessac, reports Decanter.