With the publication of my 2019 Sauternes report over the weekend I have now just about completed my 2019 Bordeaux reports. In truth there are still more than 160 tasting notes waiting in the wings, on wines made outside the big-name appellations already written up.

I will publish these other notes this week in two large reports, the first for the left bank, including Moulis, Listrac, the Médoc and Haut-Médoc appellations, and any wines made on the left bank under the generic Bordeaux appellation, whether white or red. This will include a few famous names of course, such as Château La Lagune and Château Cantemerle, as well as lots of classically structured and affordable drinking.

The second report will finish up on the right bank, with Fronsac, Canon-Fronsac, Lalande-de-Pomerol, all the Côtes de Bordeaux appellations and again any generic Bordeaux that hail from this side of the river. This is a real happy hunting ground for those seeking value, and the 2019 vintage does not disappoint in this regard, with a particularly strong showing from the Fronsac appellation.

In the meantime, yesterday I spent an hour or so tasting the last few samples to arrive, and I have a few other tasting notes from samples tasted during the course of the week. While some will be included in the two reports described above, some I have slotted into published reports as follows:

• My St Emilion Premier Grand Cru Classé 2019 report now includes a note on Château Valandraud.
• I have added a tasting note on Château Prieuré-Lichine to my 2019 Margaux report.
• My 2019 Pomerol now includes a note on the wine of Vieux Château Certan.

I don’t expect any more late arrivals this year, and so with my tastings finished I can change my focus from barrel samples to bottled wines and older vintages. Before that, however, I will conclude later in the week an article picking out some favourite wines from this vintage.