2007
A year of extremes and elegance — 2007 delivered wines shaped by early heat spikes, summer droughts, and meticulous vineyard work, yielding complex, age-worthy expressions across both Old and New World regions.
🗓️ Historic Moments
🇺🇸 iPhone launches – Apple's first iPhone reshapes global tech
🌊 Global financial tremors – Subprime mortgage crisis begins to unfold
🇫🇷 Nicolas Sarkozy elected – Becomes President of France
🌍 Live Earth concerts – Climate awareness gains global stage
📺 Mad Men premieres – Redefines TV storytelling and style
🛢️ Oil tops $90 a barrel – Early signs of economic volatility
🇨🇳 Beijing readies for Olympics – Prepares for 2008 global spotlight
🇫🇷 Bordeaux (2007)
🌡️ Temperature Summary: Maritime | 70–80°F (21–27°C) avg daytime highs
Weather Summary: Cool, rainy spring and early summer delayed ripening; dry September saved reds
Challenges/Highlights: Grey rot, mildew, and uneven flowering; late-season sun rescued Right Bank Merlot
Harvest Window: Mid-September to mid-October
Reception & Scores: Mixed; better for whites and Sauternes than reds
Aging Potential: Shorter for most reds; top whites aging gracefully
🇫🇷 Burgundy (2007)
🌡️ Temperature Summary: Continental | 68–77°F (20–25°C) avg daytime highs
Weather Summary: Wet spring followed by uneven summer; sunny September salvaged phenolic ripeness
Challenges/Highlights: Careful sorting needed; better success with whites
Harvest Window: Early to mid-September
Reception & Scores: Whites praised for freshness and clarity; reds elegant but lighter-bodied
Aging Potential: Medium-term; top whites may surprise with longevity
🇫🇷 Rhône Valley (2007)
North:🌡️ Temperature Summary: Continental | 75–85°F (24–29°C) avg daytime highs
South:🌡️ Temperature Summary: Mediterranean | 85–95°F (29–35°C) avg daytime highs
Weather Summary: Hot, dry summer with ideal harvest conditions
Challenges/Highlights: Northern Rhône saw balance; Southern Rhône declared exceptional
Harvest Window: Early September for Grenache; later for Syrah
Reception & Scores: One of Châteauneuf’s great vintages; critically acclaimed
Aging Potential: Long-term aging for top cuvées; dense and structured
🇫🇷 Champagne (2007)
🌡️ Temperature Summary: Cool Continental | 65–75°F (18–24°C) avg daytime highs
Weather Summary: Early budbreak, then wet and cool summer; harvest began early
Challenges/Highlights: Pinot Meunier fared better; careful vineyard work key
Harvest Window: Late August to early September
Reception & Scores: Considered a challenging but underrated vintage
Aging Potential: Better suited for early to mid-term drinking
🇮🇹 Piedmont (2007)
🌡️ Temperature Summary: Continental | 75–85°F (24–29°C) avg daytime highs
Weather Summary: Warm, dry season with early ripening
Challenges/Highlights: Lower acidity in some sites; concentrated Barolo and Barbaresco
Harvest Window: Late September to early October
Reception & Scores: Ripe and accessible wines with charm and depth
Aging Potential: Approachable young, with solid aging for top bottlings
🇮🇹 Tuscany (2007)
🌡️ Temperature Summary: Warm Mediterranean | 80–90°F (27–32°C) avg daytime highs
Weather Summary: Warm growing season with summer heat spikes
Challenges/Highlights: Early harvest; wines show lush fruit and soft tannins
Harvest Window: Early September through early October
Reception & Scores: Very ripe and round; some lack tension
Aging Potential: Moderate aging window, ideal for early drinking
🇪🇸 Rioja & Ribera del Duero (2007)
🌡️ Temperature Summary: Continental | 78–88°F (26–31°C) avg daytime highs
Weather Summary: Mild spring, some rains; dry, warm harvest
Challenges/Highlights: Ribera showed more consistency than Rioja
Harvest Window: Mid-September to early October
Reception & Scores: Solid quality, with more freshness than 2005 or 2009
Aging Potential: 10–15 years for top cuvées
🇩🇪 Mosel (2007)
🌡️ Temperature Summary: Cool Continental | 65–75°F (18–24°C) avg daytime highs
Weather Summary: Cool year with very late harvest and long hang times
Challenges/Highlights: Clean botrytis and balanced acidity; superb Riesling quality
Harvest Window: October through November
Reception & Scores: Excellent across pradikats; considered one of the best modern vintages
Aging Potential: Very long-lived; top wines will shine for decades
🇺🇸 Napa Valley (2007)
🌡️ Temperature Summary: Warm Mediterranean | 85–95°F (29–35°C) avg daytime highs
Weather Summary: Warm and dry with perfect fall conditions
Challenges/Highlights: Low yields = high concentration
Harvest Window: Early September to early October
Reception & Scores: A benchmark vintage; powerful, structured Cabs
Aging Potential: Built for 15–25 years in top examples
🇺🇸 Sonoma (2007)
🌡️ Temperature Summary: Moderate Coastal | 75–85°F (24–29°C) avg daytime highs
Weather Summary: Even growing season with cooler late summer
Challenges/Highlights: Quality across varietals, especially Pinot and Chardonnay
Harvest Window: September
Reception & Scores: Vibrant, elegant wines with energy
Aging Potential: Moderate to long-term, depending on producer and varietal
🇺🇸 Willamette Valley (2007)
🌡️ Temperature Summary: Cool Maritime | 70–80°F (21–27°C) avg daytime highs
Weather Summary: Cool, wet September interrupted an otherwise good season
Challenges/Highlights: Late rains forced early picks; uneven ripeness
Harvest Window: Late September to mid-October
Reception & Scores: Initially dismissed; now aging beautifully with restraint and clarity
Aging Potential: Medium-term, especially for balanced producers
🇺🇸 Washington State (2007)
🌡️ Temperature Summary: Warm Continental | 75–90°F (24–32°C) avg daytime highs
Weather Summary: Warm, even ripening with excellent fall
Challenges/Highlights: Ideal for Cabernet and Syrah; small berries, big flavor
Harvest Window: Late September through October
Reception & Scores: One of WA’s great vintages; bold yet refined
Aging Potential: 15–20 years for top reds
🇦🇺 Australia (2007)
🌡️ Temperature Summary (Barossa): Hot Continental | 90–100°F (32–38°C) avg daytime highs
🌡️ Temperature Summary (Margaret River): Maritime | 75–85°F (24–29°C) avg daytime highs
Weather Summary: Hot, dry vintage with low yields
Challenges/Highlights: Concentrated Shiraz and powerful reds
Harvest Window: Early to mid-March
Reception & Scores: Ripe, intense wines with aging potential
Aging Potential: 10–15+ years for top cuvées
🇿🇦 South Africa (2007)
🌡️ Temperature Summary: Mediterranean | 75–90°F (24–32°C) avg daytime highs
Weather Summary: Moderate growing season with cool finish
Challenges/Highlights: Whites retained freshness; reds balanced and complete
Harvest Window: January to March
Reception & Scores: Quietly strong vintage for serious wines
Aging Potential: 10+ years for high-tier bottlings
🇦🇷 Argentina - Mendoza (2007)
🌡️ Temperature Summary: High Desert Continental | 80–95°F (27–35°C) avg daytime highs
Weather Summary: Excellent ripening with cool nights
Challenges/Highlights: Exceptional Malbec vintage with purity and grip
Harvest Window: March to April
Reception & Scores: One of the top vintages of the decade
Aging Potential: 10–20 years
🇨🇱 Chile (2007)
Maipo: 🌡️ Temperature Summary: Warm Mediterranean | 80–90°F (27–32°C) avg daytime highs
Casablanca: 🌡️ Temperature Summary: Cool Coastal | 70–80°F (21–27°C) avg daytime highs
Weather Summary: Ideal conditions with dry warmth and cool evenings
Challenges/Highlights: Focused Cabernet in Maipo; zesty whites from Casablanca
Harvest Window: February to April
Reception & Scores: Strong showing across red and white
Aging Potential: 8–15 years for reds
