St-Emilion satellites: know your vintages

2016

Heavy rains early, then a warm, dry finish. areas on clay and limestone gave excellent wines, while sandy soils suffered more.

2015

excellent quality across the satellites in this sunny, dry year. Plenty of value.

2014

some rain. Good-quality wines where the Merlot was able to reach maturity.

2013

a difficult vintage for early drinking. Prime spots on limestone coped best with harvest rains.

2012

some good wines in the satellites as early-ripening Merlot did best.

2011

Cabernet Franc performed best, giving some structured wines in the satellites that should be drinking well now.

2010

excellent quality across satellites, although alcohols can be high in the Merlots. Great-value wines that are starting to open up.