BURGUNDY VINTAGE GUIDE

Click on each vintage to see what we currently have in stock on our main website:

  • 2021 - Early season frosts hit Burgundy in early April, something that will long be the defining event of this vintage, one that produced very low-yielding, classically styled wines. As is the case with many winemaking regions these days, it is often a study in winemaking talent to see how modern technique and terroir can shine, and for those that love an old-school style of Burgundy, this will be a rare treat. Freshness and elegance are constants in the wines, and it will be a big stylistic contrast to the preceding vintages. Whites fared slightly better than the reds, but show a delicate touch in a similar style.

  • 2020 - The second straight warm vintage, but also one that seemed to be balanced insofar as precipitation, cool nights to support the warm days, and a long growing season that gave the vignerons the ultimate control. The reds posses a distinct deep color, but still possess a level of elegance and definition. They are on the riper side of the spectrum, but the great concentration will support long aging. It will be a fascinating vintage to follow over the years. For white wines, it is a banner vintage that will rank among the all-timers, easily the most consistent, fresh, and delicious set of wines we’ve seen since the remarkable 2017s.

  • 2019 - 2019 was a warm vintage, but the warmth and rains seem to hit at the right times, giving the wines definition and freshness that can often be lost in the heat. The 2019 vintage is a very successful one in Burgundy, a one that produced approachable, delicious, and consistent wines. The whites are bit fuller, while the reds strike a balance between freshness and concentration that shows an impeccable balance. They are also a bit higher in alcohol, but the depth of flavor supports it. This is a terrific vintage for those that are looking for the more generous side of Burgundy.

  • 2018 - The 2018 vintage in Burgundy was one that defies comparison to other years. Much higher-than-usual precipitation in the winter and early spring left vines (particularly in older parcels) up with ample reserves of water to tap into in the hotter months. And there were hotter months indeed, starting with a very warm April that kicked off the growing season early and capped off by heat spikes in August that elevated sugars quickly. Harvest began in late August, a necessary decision for many producers to maintain sufficient acid levels. It was a blockbuster crop for white grapes especially, while red wine yields were more on par with normal levels but were certainly not scant (except in the few isolated areas hit by hail). The 2018 vintage is producer-centric and extremely heterogeneous. The best whites are balanced and refined, despite the warm growing season, and the best reds are intense and voluptuous, yet not overripe at all. Chablis was largely similar, with the vintage showing riper characteristics, while the most successful producers were able to maintain classic Chablis tension. This is a vintage that will reward those who take careful note of which winemakers were best able to adapt to this unique year.

  • 2017 - This is a vintage where production levels are plentiful in the Côte d'Or, something that’s not the norm in the region. Quality is very high for the whites, with many comparisons to the treasured 2014s where the wines showed great depth, focus, and structure. The reds are more of an elegant and classic style—not the structured ‘16s or the generous ‘15s. That said, they’re not behind those vintages qualitatively, as many producers made some truly transcendent wines; it is more of a point of comparison, as it has become clear that Burgundy is on a very strong run spanning this trio of years, and the wines are just strikingly different in style. For 2017 Chablis, the region was devastated by hail early in the growing season, so production is sharply down. The wines that did survive, however, were treated to a very good growing season and the wines are turning out strong.

  • 2016 - While both reds and whites from Burgundy will be outstanding in their quality, the problem is going to be quantities. It was either hail or frost, or both through the region and in many cases growers lost as much as 80% of their crop. The berries that remained were of a high quality and the lower yields on the vine produced concentrated fruit flavors with fantastic acidity. It's just that there's not much to go around. Prices will likely be high as a result, which means stocking up on 2014 and 2015 wines is a great idea for fans of the region.

  • 2015 - This is an absolutely extraordinary vintage for red wines that will go down as a classic down the road. Throughout the Nuit and the Beaune the pinot noirs have structure, fruit, and acidity in complete harmony. Many experts are considering 2015 to be the best vintage for reds since 2010, and are putting it up there with 2005 as a comparison. The exciting part about 2015 is that the whites didn't suffer from the warmth. While they showcase riper fruit, there's still plenty of acidity to keep them fresh. It's another fine year for Chablis with crisp and saline acidity, and the whites for the Côte d'Or are fleshy and full from the warm growing season.

  • 2014 - While the vintage was troubled by early budbreak and difficulties during flowering, not to mention a huge hail storm that recked havoc in mid-summer and reduced crop sizes by almost half in some extreme cases, the reds of 2014 are classic and textbook in their flavor. We tasted through reds from the entire Côte d'Or on our trip through the region and found charming fruit with lovely spice and structure from the north to the south. 2014 was a great vintage in Chablis and excellent on the whole for most of the whites. This is a vintage to stock up on for strong white appellations like St. Aubin, Puligny-Montrachet, and Chassagne-Montrachet. The reds are a bit lighter with potent acidity, better overall in the Côtes de Nuit than in the Beaune.

  • 2013 - Another difficult growing season that began with a wet Spring and reported serious damage due to hellacious hail storms. Warm weather arrived in Summer that threatened to turn all that moisture into rot, so growers had to be vigilant in the vineyards. The reds in the Côtes de Nuit were charming in style with pretty fruit flavors and balanced acidity. The Côtes de Beaune was hit harder by the hail and supplies were low in some communes. The whites were solid in some areas, but a bit lacking in others. Careful selection and research will reward savvy shoppers.

  • 2012 - This was a good vintage for both red and white wines in the region. There were some complications during summer and some hail in the Côtes de Beaune that hampered growers, but the fine weather in September helped prevent disaster. As is usually the case in Burgundy, the vintage isn't consistent from front to back, so shoppers will have to navigate commune by commune and producer by producer, but there are some great values to be had.

  • 2011 - The 2011 vintage in Burgundy is definitely a tricky one for reds, but the whites are generally well-made and pleasing. The reds are lighter and fresher, without the depth or fullness that one would hope for from a great Burgundy vintage, and—as is usually the case—there is a significant amount of variation from commune to commune.

  • 2010 - It was a back-to-back win for the Côtes de Nuits in 2010, following up the outstanding 2009 vintage with an even better showing this time around. The Côtes de Beaune was strong as well, albeit not as consistent as in the Nuit, but the wines are balanced and well-structured from front to back. Overall, it's a classic vintage for reds and definitely one to collect for both the cellar and mid-range drinking.

  • 2009 - A fantastic year for reds in the region with plenty of ripeness and approachable fruit that shows well in the early stages of drinking. The only possible drawback is that some of the wines lack the trademark acidity of the region, but there are many gorgeous expressions to be had. This is a vintage to drink and enjoy in the short term.

  • Other noteworthy vintages: 2005, 2002, 1999, 1990, 1985

Click here to return to the vintage guide index