Here is an over view of the conditions as the harvest season begins in Bordeaux. It has been a mixed bag growing season with a very wet start in the first half of the year leading the widespread mildew. The summer has been totally the opposite with the driest summer since 1893 reducing the water stress to vines and winemakers are more optimistic despite the rainy start.
Overall, this vintage is quite promising although late flowering delayed the start of harvest for both white and red grapes. It should be expected that 2016 will have a lower acidity than the last 3 vintages. Expect a more restrained character in the vintage too.