1995

An elegant, structured vintage with long-aging potential — 1995 marked a classic return to form in many Old World regions, especially in France, where the weather aligned to produce balanced, cellar-worthy wines with poise and grip.

🗓️ Historic Moments

  • 🐂 Dow Jones tops 5,000 for the first time

  • 💻 Windows 95 is released, revolutionizing home computing

  • ⚖️ O.J. Simpson found not guilty in televised trial

  • ☮️ Israel and Palestine sign Oslo II Accord

  • 💔 Oklahoma City bombing shocks the U.S.

  • 🎮 Sony releases the PlayStation in North America

  • 🇫🇷 Jacques Chirac elected President of France

🇫🇷 Bordeaux (1995)

  • Weather Summary: A dry, hot summer followed by September rain gave way to a strong, ripe harvest with excellent tannin structure

  • Challenges/Highlights: Uneven flowering, but a dry summer helped reduce disease; harvest rains raised concerns in some Merlot vineyards

  • Harvest Window: Late September to early October

  • Reception & Scores: Highly praised for Left Bank Cabernet; considered a modern classic vintage

  • Aging Potential: Excellent — many wines still aging gracefully

🇫🇷 Burgundy (1995)

  • Weather Summary: Hot, dry conditions led to small, thick-skinned grapes and structured wines

  • Challenges/Highlights: Yields were down; reds are firm and concentrated, whites slightly austere early on

  • Harvest Window: Mid to late September

  • Reception & Scores: Strong critical reception, especially for Côte de Nuits reds

  • Aging Potential: Long-lived for reds, 20+ years in top crus

🇫🇷 Rhône Valley (1995)

  • Weather Summary: Warm, consistent season favored ripeness across the region

  • Challenges/Highlights: Northern Rhône had an exceptional Syrah year; Southern Rhône Grenache showed power and depth

  • Harvest Window: Early to mid-September

  • Reception & Scores: One of the best of the decade, especially in Hermitage and Châteauneuf-du-Pape

  • Aging Potential: Excellent — bold, age-worthy reds

🇫🇷 Champagne (1995)

  • Weather Summary: Warm summer with good flowering and ripening phases

  • Challenges/Highlights: One of the few standout vintages of the '90s; elegant yet structured

  • Harvest Window: Mid-September

  • Reception & Scores: Widely declared vintage, praised for finesse and backbone

  • Aging Potential: Excellent vintage champagnes aging with grace

🇮🇹 Piedmont (1995)

  • Weather Summary: Mild and dry conditions with an early spring and long harvest

  • Challenges/Highlights: Barolo and Barbaresco showed classic structure and ageability

  • Harvest Window: Early to mid-October

  • Reception & Scores: Not flashy but highly respected for traditional balance

  • Aging Potential: High — firm tannins built to last

🇮🇹 Tuscany (1995)

  • Weather Summary: Ideal summer weather created balanced, flavorful grapes

  • Challenges/Highlights: Chianti Classico and Brunello benefitted from long hang-time

  • Harvest Window: Late September to early October

  • Reception & Scores: Underrated but elegant vintage

  • Aging Potential: Mid- to long-term aging, especially for Brunello

🇪🇸 Rioja (1995)

  • Weather Summary: Consistent warmth and dry harvest

  • Challenges/Highlights: Grapes ripened well; wines made with a classic touch

  • Harvest Window: September into October

  • Reception & Scores: Officially rated Excelente by the Rioja board

  • Aging Potential: Long — traditional Riojas still evolving

🇩🇪 Mosel (1995)

  • Weather Summary: Cool spring, followed by a dry and warm autumn

  • Challenges/Highlights: Late harvest favored botrytis and excellent Auslese styles

  • Harvest Window: Late October to November

  • Reception & Scores: High-quality across Prädikat levels

  • Aging Potential: Strong — top Rieslings still vibrant

🇺🇸 Napa Valley (1995)

  • Weather Summary: Warm and consistent with a long ripening window

  • Challenges/Highlights: High-quality fruit with concentrated flavors and firm tannins

  • Harvest Window: Late September to early October

  • Reception & Scores: One of Napa’s best mid-90s vintages

  • Aging Potential: Excellent — structured Cabs with 20+ year potential

🇺🇸 Sonoma (1995)

  • Weather Summary: Cool spring but warm, dry summer

  • Challenges/Highlights: Pinot Noir and Zinfandel showed ripe fruit and balance

  • Harvest Window: Mid-September through October

  • Reception & Scores: Solid vintage, slightly overshadowed by Napa

  • Aging Potential: Moderate to long for structured reds

🇺🇸 Willamette Valley (1995)

  • Weather Summary: Cool, wet spring with a long, sunny autumn

  • Challenges/Highlights: Late harvest but exceptional quality for Pinot Noir

  • Harvest Window: October

  • Reception & Scores: Excellent vintage, age-worthy Pinots

  • Aging Potential: Long-lived for top producers

🇺🇸 Washington State (1995)

  • Weather Summary: Hot, dry summer with ideal harvest conditions

  • Challenges/Highlights: A breakthrough vintage for red wines, especially Merlot and Cabernet

  • Harvest Window: September

  • Reception & Scores: Top wines helped put WA reds on the map

  • Aging Potential: Excellent — structured and balanced

🇦🇺 Australia (1995)

  • Weather Summary: Warm and dry across most wine regions

  • Challenges/Highlights: Particularly strong in Barossa and Coonawarra

  • Harvest Window: February–March

  • Reception & Scores: Classic ripe Australian style

  • Aging Potential: Moderate to long for reds