Here is the list of vintages of wines in France, and all over the world.
Vintages clearly depend on the climate in France for a particular year.
If there is clear sunshine and warm temperatures throughout the summer season (June-September), then the grapes have time to mature, to develop all of their aromas, to lose some of their acidity and sweeten a bit more.
This is why Southern France wines tend to be quite sweeter than other regions: they receive more sunshine than other regions.
That's why, in France, the great red wines in the last ten years are 2005 and 2009. They will be very hard to find, as most brokers will have bought them early on to sell them at their peak period (15-20 years age). So when you WILL find them, they will obviously be very pricey... but probably worth it!
