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Average Scores of all Estates within a Region

The above chart represents the average of the scores gathered by all the Bordeaux wineries by wine growing region (AOC in French). This table is expressed on a relative 100 scale. Thus, the regions are compared in relative to the best region with a 100 points value. For more details on a specific chateau, please use our search engine at the right hand's side of each page. This tool is extremely useful to pick the best wines at Bordeaux Futures offerings and wine auctions.  

Just as the bracing, brisk 2004s are a radical contrast to the super-ripe, sometimes baked, 2003s, the 2004 growing season could hardly have been more different from its predecessor. While 2003 was the earliest harvest since records began with much of a small crop gathered in August, 2004 was the latest since 1988 with a huge crop picked well into October. While summer 2003 was fatally hot for thousands, 2004 temperatures from July to September in Bordeaux returned to normal (more than 10 degrees Centigrade lower on average than in 2003 but absolutely average), and were considerably higher than normal in September and the first 10 days of October which did no harm at all for some of the finest Cabernets, even if rain set in from the 10th. (Jancis Robinson)

The previous two years had witnessed small harvests and so the vines had accummulated reproductive energy. This energy was invested in a large fruit set, ergo crop-thinning in the vineyard was essential in order to prevent dilution and grey rot, after a damp August. But Nature offered some respite for the vignerons who were impelled to send workers out into the vineyard to cull the grapes (an expensive exercise that not all properties were willing or could afford to do.) June was blisteringly hot and yet again an Indian summer settled in the region over September and October to offer ideal harvest conditions. The vintage was not one that posed unsurmountable problems. But the vignerons had to ensure that some of the thick, unripe Cabernet skins were sorted out before entering the vat and gentle pressing was advisable to avoid bitterness from the larger than normal pips. (Neil Martin) 

For once, no area or appellation seems to have significantly outperformed. Outstanding wines can be found on left and right banks of the Gironde river. Similar conclusions can be made for underperforming properties, which are widely distributed throughout the different appellations. The best soils, specially if the work in the vineyards was seriously done, have produced excellent wines that many consider as classic in style. This year, 31 estates have averaged 90+ scores which is pretty high in comparison to the previous years. In comparison, 34 properties had excelled in 2003, 22 in 2002, 17 in 2001, 28 in 2000 and 19 in 1999. The Standard deviation's measurements of scores are generally low, meaning that a consensus was generally found between critics over the wine's quality. 
As a whole, the winning appellation is Saint-Julien - for which the now legendary regularity is clearly rewarded this year. It is closely followed by Pauillac and Saint Emilion. After three marvellous vintages (2001, 2002 and 2003), the sweet wines of Sauternes Barsac managed to do well, even if the general level this year should not quite reach the same complexity. Pomerol and Pessac-Leognan Graves both post excellent overall performances in 2004. Margaux produced among the best wines of the year, but the overall results of Medoc's Southern appellation are somewhat irregular. After two cult vintages (2002 and 2003), Saint-Estephe seems somewhat less successful this year. The overall performance of Medoc, Listrac, Moulis, Haut-Medoc and another Satellites Right bank areas are slightly below of the general average.

So, yet again, only the top, or most recklessly ambitious, producers had the means to excel themselves. But there are many disappointing 2004s made from over-charged vines which clearly did not manage to ripen every grape fully. Such wines have no shortage of tannin, but sometimes those tannins are raw and rasping, a sensation exacerbated by the lack of ripe fruit to counterbalance them. This is particularly marked in the less successful wines of Saint-Emilion and Pomerol. (Jancis Robinson)

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This year we have statistically estimated the effect of the critics' scores on the price - or "Score Effect". This measure is particularly strong in 2004 with an average +16% price increase for each additional scoring point. In comparison, the Score Effect was +11% in 2003, +12% in 2002 and 2001, +15% in 2000, +9% in 1999, +12% in 1998 and finally +10% in 1997. 

The consensus is that 2004 is definitely a classic vintage and in the Medoc the wines are comparable in style with 1988 or 1996. 2004 is a cool, classic and precise vintage for those properties that monitored the vineyards, green harvested and removed foliage to allow sunshine to ripen the grapes. Some properties that picked the Cabernets during September did not get full maturity from the grapes. However those who waited to maximize contact with the sun and picked in October produced ripe Cabernets. The crop was very generous and so there is plenty of wine about which, hopefully, will keep prices at a sensible level. Latour and Margaux were 59 and 55 hectolitres per hectare respectively, almost double the 2003 levels. (Simon Staples - BBR)

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Alain Bringolf for Winemega.com

Thanks to the following Contributors for their comments on the vintage:
- Jancis Robinson
- Simon Staples
- Neil Martin