Burgundy Vintages

Question 1

Vintages Overview

Answer 1

Most common problem is cool or wet weather.
Recently there were problems with heat..
Most important distinction is between reds and whites.
Premox for whites (since 1996).
2015/2016: good reds 15/ good whites 2016. Same thing 2005/2006.
Warm vintages: 1990-1999–2002-2005-2009-2015-2018-2020.
Cool vintage: 2013-2008-2007-2006-2004-2001

Question 2

2020

Answer 2

Early start in August 12 was a record. Harvest finished the second week of September.
Yields reduced by low rainfall.

Question 3

2019

Answer 3

Hot dry summer, small volume. Wines are concentrated with strong structure.

Question 4

2018

Answer 4

Hailed by producer as a great vintage possibly a rival to 1947. Large vintage with harvest starting early in August and grapes reaching high levels of ripeness. Rich reds, withes will struggle to maintain freshness.

Question 5

2017

Answer 5

Largest crop since 2009. Rain arrived the first week of September. Quality is good but not concentrated as 2016 or 2015. Tang of acidity for reds and whites.

Question 6

2016

Answer 6

A very small vintage because crop size was reduced by frost and hail.
Warm September gave good harvest conditions and the wines have excellent quality. Considered a more classic vintage more linear than 2015. Whites have freshness.

Question 7

2015

Answer 7

Rich vintage for whites and reds. More opulent than 2016.

Question 8

2014

Answer 8

Storms with hail during the growing season reduced the crop. Very difficult August, weather improved after. Reds not as rich as 2009, 2012 or 2015. Whites are fruity and easy.

Question 9

2013

Answer 9

Cold growing season, some improvement in September allowed decent harvest.

Question 10

2012

Answer 10

Erratic conditions led to low yields for reds and whites. Quality is surprisingly good.

Question 11

2011

Answer 11

Difficulties in getting ripeness. The least successful vintage.

Question 12

2010

Answer 12

Reds are tighter than opulent 2009s. Whites show good acidity.

Question 13

2009

Answer 13

A great year for reds, rich, ripe and opulent.

Question 14

2008

Answer 14

Difficult vintage with rain and humidity. Reds show high acidity, whites are fresh.

Question 15

2007

Answer 15

Growing season was too wet. Whites better than reds.

Question 16

2006

Answer 16

Reds have a tendency towards austerity. Cool conditions, high acidity.

Question 17

2005

Answer 17

Reds are opulent, good tannic structure. Whites show classic opulence.

Question 18

2004

Answer 18

Reds and whites on the lighter, more acid side.

Question 19

2003

Answer 19

Reds are cooked. Bad vintage.

Question 20

2002

Answer 20

Reds are rich and well structured and are on the best right now. Opulent whites.

Question 21

2001

Answer 21

Not a bad vintage, reds are tannic, whites more into the acid side.

Question 22

2000

Answer 22

Early drinking wines.

Question 23

1999

Answer 23

Generous vintage for reds and also for whites. Generosity and minerality in whites.

Question 24

1998

Answer 24

No longer interest

Question 25

1997

Answer 25

Short term drinking

Question 26

1996

Answer 26

Frustrating year for reds. Lovely vintage for whites. But it was the first vintage where premox became a major problem.

Question 27

1995

Answer 27

Lighter style rather than opulent.

Question 28

1994

Answer 28

Autumn rains spoiled the harvest. Whites were better than reds.

Question 29

1993

Answer 29

Light style, good vintage for reds. Whites are lacking concentration.

Question 30

1992

Answer 30

Rain spoiled the harvest, best wines were picked before it.

Question 31

1991

Answer 31

Whites were quite successful. Reds not as good

Question 32

1990

Answer 32

A great vintage with good balance of fruit to structure. Opulent whites, great reds.