Vintners in Bordeaux are touting a "small but very good" vintage for 2010 as the harvesting season continues, although many - such as Chateau Margaux - have yet to begin picking their red grapes.

Decanter.com reports that some younger vines and Merlots will be picked this week. Winemakers so far seem positive about the quality, even if yields will be substantially lower as a result of drought.

"The pips already have a lovely nutty taste, and I can honestly say the quality seems greater than last year," Guy Meslin of Chateau Laroze in St Emilion told the website.

"Might we be having two great vintages side by side, as with 1989 and 1990?"

Oenologist David Parnay, who consults for Chateau Pape Clement and Haut Bergey, confirmed that 2010 will be characterised by low quantity but great quality.

The Wall Street Journal reported this week that the rising popularity of wine investment has led investors and financial experts, as well as wine lovers and growers, to take a deeper interest in Bordeaux's weather patterns.