1945 Wine

1945 Wine

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The 1945 vintage ranks among the greatest of the 20th century. The frost of 2 May destroyed a large proportion of the buds and reduced the harvest to almost nothing; the hot, dry summer that followed ripened tiny, thick-skinned grapes of exceptional concentration. The result is wines with a dense tannic structure and an almost limitless ageing potential, still capable of moving one today. Bordeaux and its Left Bank produced the iconic reds of the year, while the Sauternes sweet wines reached extraordinary heights. Château Mouton Rothschild 1945, dubbed "Année de la Victoire" (Year of Victory), remains its absolute icon, alongside the Romanée-Conti from Burgundy, one of the most sought-after bottles in the world. To place 1945 among the great years, consult our Vintage Guide.

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The F.A.Q

Are 1945 wines still good to drink today?

Yes, wines from the 1945 vintage can still be excellent to drink today. The 1945 vintage is known for producing powerful, concentrated, tannic wines with very long aging potential.

If the wine has been well preserved and it's a bottle from a great estate, there's a good chance it will offer a remarkable tasting experience, with complex tertiary aromas and beautiful evolution.

Is the 1945 vintage a good vintage?

The 1945 vintage is a very good vintage. It is considered one of the most famous vintages of the 20th century, characterized by exceptional grape quality and concentration, partly due to very low production. The 1945 red wines are described as powerful, concentrated, tannic and endowed with great aging potential, still maintaining "striking youth" for many growths today.

This vintage is also considered excellent for Burgundy wines, which are superb, rich, powerful, with good length on the palate and a complex bouquet, producing full-bodied and elegant wines.

Why is 1945 considered a special or "mythical" vintage?

The 1945 vintage is special for two main reasons:

The weather conditions were exceptional. There was a hot and dry summer, following spring frosts that reduced production, leading to highly concentrated grapes. This resulted in powerful, intense wines with exceptional aging potential, considered among the best of the 20th century.

The year 1945 marks the end of World War II. The vintage became a symbol of victory and liberation. The iconic label of Château Mouton Rothschild 1945, with its large "V" for "Victory", immortalizes this historic period, adding a unique emotional and symbolic value to these wines.

Vintage 1945: a historic and rare masterpiece

The 1945 vintage in France will forever be etched as one of the greatest of the century. After a harsh winter and a spring marked by severe frosts that drastically reduced yields, the summer was dry, hot and bright, delivering exceptional ripeness to the grapes. The harvest, rare and precious, produced dense, concentrated 1945 wines with rich fruit and firm tannins. This exceptional character endows the great 1945 wines with an extraordinary power and longevity, capable of traversing the decades while retaining freshness and complexity. True witnesses to history, these rare 1945 red and white wines captivate today with their intensity and unique emotional resonance.

Bordeaux 1945 — Exceptional power, concentration and longevity

In Bordeaux, the 1945 vintage is unanimously recognised as one of the greatest of the century. After a cold spring marked by severe frosts, the hot, dry summer delivered perfect ripeness to the cabernet sauvignons and merlots. Yields were extremely low, producing 1945 red wines of rare power, dense, with firm tannins and a structure capable of defying time. Even today, these crus impress with their freshness and intensity.

The Pauillac 1945 wines stand out for their exceptional concentration and notes of blackcurrant, cedar and tobacco; Saint-Julien 1945 seduces with its masterful balance and a refined palate; Margaux 1945 shines for its silky texture and unique floral elegance. On the Right Bank, the Pomerol 1945 wines are velvety and rich, with an ample, truffle-laden merlot; the Saint-Émilion 1945 wines combine power and refinement, with complex aromas of ripe fruits and spices. The Graves 1945 wines complete this panorama with reds that are both structured and harmonious. The 1945 Sauternes wines are perfect, refined, firm, concentrated and built for long ageing. They remain delicious to this day.

Some icons of Bordeaux 1945: Mouton Rothschild 1945, Lafite Rothschild 1945, Latour 1945, Margaux 1945, Haut-Brion 1945, Léoville Las Cases 1945, Yquem 1945.

Burgundy 1945 — Intensity, velvet and rare elegance

In Burgundy, the 1945 vintage is characterised by extremely low yields and a hot summer that allowed the pinot noirs to reach perfect ripeness. The 1945 red wines from the Côte de Nuits are dense and deep, with silky tannins and intense aromas of black cherry, violet and undergrowth. Their balance between power and finesse has allowed them to traverse the decades with their nobility intact.

The 1945 Gevrey-Chambertin wines are structured and untamed with a still surprisingly long ageing potential; Chambolle-Musigny 1945 seduces with its silky delicacy; Vosne-Romanée reveals a rich, spiced and sensual 1945 wine; Corton 1945 offers depth and masterful structure. Among the 1945 white wines, Meursault 1945 seduces with its richness and minerality, while Corton-Charlemagne 1945 combines amplitude and freshness.

Among the icons of this vintage, we should mention the Domaine de la Romanée-Conti 1945 (Romanée-Conti, La Tâche, Richebourg), Domaine Armand Rousseau 1945 (Chambertin 1945, Clos de Bèze 1945), Comte Georges de Vogüé 1945 (Musigny, Bonnes-Mares), as well as the great 1945 white wines signed by Domaine Leflaive or Bonneau du Martray. These names embody the quintessence of the 1945 Burgundy wines and continue to captivate today with their refinement, intensity and rarity.

Rhône Valley 1945 — A sun-drenched and intense 1945 wine

The Rhône Valley is no exception. In the north, syrah benefited from a warm season to deliver wines of remarkable density on the granite slopes; in the south, grenache produced powerful and generous Châteauneuf-du-Pape. As everywhere, the meagre harvest fed the concentration.

L'Hermitage La Chapelle by Paul Jaboulet Aîné 1945 has entered the legend of the great wines of the Rhône, cited among the absolute summits of the appellation. Around it, the Hermitage wines from Chave and the Châteauneuf-du-Pape from the finest estates extend the success of the year.

Champagne 1945 — Rare brilliance and preserved freshness

The 1945 Champagne is synonymous with extreme rarity. The harvest, marked by limited yields, produced wines that are both vinous and fresh, with a fine bubble and beautiful aromatic complexity. The chardonnays bring tension and vivacity, while the pinot noirs offer richness and length on the palate. Despite their age, certain bottles still reveal an elegant effervescence and an incredible freshness.

Some emblematic cuvées of Champagne 1945: historic vintages from the great houses such as Pol Roger 1945, Louis Roederer, Moët & Chandon 1945, Pommery 1945.

Buy your 1945 wine from SoDivin

Ordering a 1985 wine from SoDivin means choosing a service of excellence dedicated to lovers of fine wines. Benefit from same-day dispatch for any order placed before 2 pm, with delivery as soon as the next day. Every bottle receives special care, and our packaging ensures optimal protection during transit.

SoDivin also offers you the possibility of adding a personalised message as well as wooden gift boxes, ideal for gifting on the occasion of a birthday or other celebration. Furthermore, you have the choice of the dispatch date for delivery tailored to your needs. Our wines are stored under optimal conditions and you can view high-definition photos online of each bottle before your purchase, for complete transparency.

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