1980 Bordeaux Wine Vintage Summary with harvest information, vintage characteristics, buying tips and links. If you are seeking more in-depth information on anything and everything related to the Bordeaux wine region please see the: All About Bordeaux Wine Guide
1980 Bordeaux wine was not much when it was released and it’s worse today. Many people consider the decade of the 1980s, the decade of the century for Bordeaux wine. With so many quality Bordeaux vintages, it’s easy to see how that case is made. Ironically, the decade did not get off to a good start with the 1980 Bordeaux growing season and harvest. The summer was cold and wet, following an uneven flowering. The development of rot required growers to spray to avoid the problem from spreading over their vineyards. The 10 days of moderately warm weather at the end of September and early October was the only saving grace for the vintage. But the reality was, that little dose of sunshine was too little, too late to help 1980 Bordeaux vintage. 1980 remains one of the latest vintages in the history of Bordeaux. The harvest officially began October 10.
If you need a 1980 Bordeaux wine for a birthday or anniversary, look for Sauternes. The top two sweet, white Bordeaux wines from the vintage are Chateau d’Yquem and Chateau Climens. Both estates made good, but not great, sweet wines from the vintage that continue to drink well today. The combination of rain and warm weather weather, helped the development of noble rot in the Sauternes appellation.
To read about other Bordeaux vintages from 1945 to today: Bordeaux Year to Year Detailed Vintage Reports & Guide 1945 to Today