Champagne Flashcards
2022
Generous crop in terms of quantity. Quality as yet unassessed.
2021
Rainy season, challenging weather, April frosts and mildew, low potential alcohol, comparable to 2013 and 2016
CHALLENGING WEATHER
2020
Damp weather was followed by summer heatwaves with temperatures over 40 deg C/104 deg F and subsequent heat damage to vines, this time end July and early August. Notably high pH, as high as in 2018, and the highest level of tartaric acid since 2009.
2019
damp start, hot summer, frost, hail, heat damage
2018
Hopes are high that the generous ripeness of the raw material will translate into single-vintage releases in due course. Total acidities were relatively low
2017
warm and humid autumn, grey rot, better chard than pinot
2016
Frost and hail conspired to lower the yields, and potential alcohol, Quality is generally above average, with Pinot Noir preferred to Chardonnay. The vintage is likely to be declared for several luxury cuvées, including Cristal and Comtes de Champagne.
2015
sunny and dry summer, rain in last week of harvest, rich vintage, PN did well
2014
erratic vintage, osscilated between hot and dry periods, and cold and rainy periods
WS: 93 says cool and rainy, large crop, fresh and approachable
2013
A cool spring led to uneven ripening and one of the latest harvests in 20 years. Summer hail caused widespread damage in the summer months but overall the Champenois fared better than many of their compatriots. The vintage releases show great tension and will probably outlast the 2012s.
Approachable with good aging potential
2012
An EXCEPTIONAL vintage in Champagne. Despite low yields thanks to frost, hail and disease early in the season, August saw conditions improve dramatically resulting in exemplary maturity, acidity and grape health at harvest.
Ripe and harmonious.
2011
Notable for its erratic growing season, which started warm and dry but then became cooler and wetter in June and July. Conditions improved briefly in August but the (early) harvest was problematic and the potential alcohol of the musts was the lowest for many years.
NOT GOOD - VERY FEW HOUSES DECLARED VINTAGES
2010
Dry early season
Torrential rain in August causing disease
Dry September
RAIN
2009
early complications, great summer, clean crop, high quality, particularly good PN from Montagne de Reims, plump
APPROACHABLE AND GOOD QUALITY
2008
Classic vintage
Great vintage, near perfect growing conditions, dry weather at harvest, age worthy, plush fruit
Initially damp and wet but saved by drier conditions in August and a great September
2007
An unusually warm spring led to early flowering and optimism which soon gave way to disappointment with one of the murkiest summers on record. Conditions improved towards September allowing a fair crop, with Chardonnay outperforming the Pinots. Above average acidities.
CHALLENGING GROWING SEASON
2006
hot and sunny June and July, dank August, warm Sep
WARM VINTAGE
2005
Variable conditions throughout the year resulted in a lacklustre vintage, though favourable weather in the run-up to harvest meant that ripeness was assured. Acidities on the low side. Big-shouldered wines were made.
2004
quality and quantity, structured, well-balanced wines
2003
Spring frosts followed by one of the hottest summers on record led to small volumes and typically very ripe wines of middling quality. Some fine Pinot Noir-dominant blends.
2002
Perfect vintage. Ripe fruit with acidity to balance.
2001
A generally poor vintage characterised by rot and underripeness thanks to a wet and gloomy September.
2000
hail, rainstorms, cold and mildew, good conditions in august and september
