CHAMPAGNE VINTAGE GUIDE

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A Special Note Regarding Champagne Vintages: It is important to note when evaluating Champagne vintages that, Champagne, perhaps more than any other wine producing region, is notoriously difficult to capture in a simple summary. The reasons for this are many, but the most significant of which being that the wines of Champagne are, by design, highly manipulated. The host of winemaking tactics employed by the Champenois are myriad and diverse influencing all levels of the process from chaptalization, to fermentation, to aging. This coupled with the natural diversity of region makes it nearly impossible to assign broad generalizations to any vintage. As a rule, it is always best to look to the individual producer when making decisions as to whether to buy and how deeply. All that being said, meteorological and climatic factors do have an unassailable influence on any agricultural product and as such can provide a general tenor for a particular vintage. We recommend you use this guide with this caveat in mind.

  • 2016 - The growing season got off to a challenging start with extreme frost in late April and excessive rainfall in May creating prime conditions for mildew and potentially lower yields. All this followed by a heat wave in early summer hot enough to stress the vines made growers nervous. However, the weather shifted to prime growing conditions in mid-August, and a month of sunny days and cool nights contributed to keeping desirable acidity levels in the grapes. Rains just before harvest made the ability to be nimble in the vineyards crucial, so smaller grower-producers had the advantage. Although the challenges of the vintage led to a 20-30% reduction in yield, quality is generally above average. Despite the rough weather in spring and summer, the vintage produced opulent, fruit-forward wines with lively acidity.  

  • 2015 - The first assessments of Champagne in 2015 are universally glowing, with some unabashed optimists calling it an early candidate for "vintage of the century." This would indeed be a remarkable feat considering it was also the hottest growing season on record, but for one anomaly—It was also exceedingly dry with only a few instances of much needed rain in August, resulting in virtually no disease pressure anywhere in the appellation. Indeed, even growers who are not organic were able to farm essentially organically, and harvest took place under ideal conditions with warm, sunny days and very cool nights. The results for both Chardonnay and Pinot Noir are exceptional, another rarity for Champagne, and extremely high-quality wines have been made across the board. Perhaps the most remarkable aspect of the vintage is the inherent balance in the wines, despite the heat. Producers from every cru in the appellation have produced wines of intense concentration and depth, but almost completely absent any excess weight. While the full story is far from written on 2015 Champagne, this is certainly a benchmark vintage for collectors and connoisseurs, and it will provide immense excitement when the wines really start to hit the market.

  • 2014 - Champagne has always been the poster child for vintage variability, so it's no surprise that 2014 presented its own unique sequence of events for growers. Yields were high across the board thanks to a mild winter and a warm, dry flowering, resulting in widespread optimism for the vintage. However, cool and wet weather prevailed in July and August, with the vintage only rescued by warmth and abundant sun in September. Still, quality is once again variable from cru to cru. The better draining chalky soils fared better than the clay-based soils in the wet conditions, with the Marne particularly affected by high rainfall, so this is once again a vintage dominated by high quality Chardonnay. The Côte de Blancs handled the season beautifully as did the northerly parts of Montagne de Reims. The most successful Pinot-based wines also come from the Montagne de Reims and areas in the south, such as Aube. The wines themselves will be on the elegant and finessed side, and the vast majority of producers are quite happy with their vintage cuvées.

  • 2013 - Fortunately, the Champagne region avoided much of the violent weather damage that befell several of France's other growing regions in 2013. Flowering took place under cold, damp conditions, which led to the latest harvest for the region since 1988. Many of the vineyards that flowered during the worst weather actually performed the best in the end, as yields were restricted by coulure and millerandage, and the remaining fruit was able to sufficiently ripen through the long, cool summer. For the most part, this meant an outstanding vintage for the Chardonnay-based wines, particularly from the Côte de Blancs and the Grande Vallée. Pinot Noir fared well in certain areas, namely Äy, but results are mixed for other areas. Aube, located closer to Chablis, experienced the only substantial weather damage. Overall, 2013 is a vintage of generally high quality in which most producers will make vintage cuvées. While there are great Pinot-based offerings to be found, buyers will need to be selective. The real star in this vintage is Chardonnay, which performed well across the board, and the usual marquee names knocked it out of the park with especially stunning results.

  • 2012 - A growing season that undoubtedly snatched victory from the jaws of defeat, 2012 started off in disastrous fashion with frost and hail severely damaging potential yields right at the outset. A cool summer portended even worse to come, but fortune smiled on the Champenois as a warm August and perfect, sunny weather throughout September made for a temperate harvest. Overall, the fruit was healthy and of very high quality, especially in the Pinot Noir vineyards. Many producers have enthusiastically declared this vintage, with some offering up comparisons to 1959, 1976, and the contemporary legendary vintage of 2002. Scarcity of supply will be the main concern.

  • 2011- Easily one of the most challenging vintages for any growing region in the world in the past decade, 2011 in Champagne featured erratic weather with alternating bouts of heat and rain especially at harvest. Truly a paradoxical vintage, it featured the earliest harvest on record, but lower than normal levels of both acids and sugars. This is undoubtedly a blending vintage, but consumers will still find great values, assuming they are discerning and do their diligent research ahead of purchase.

  • 2010 - A vintage not without its challenges. First the absence of rain and then an overabundance, but thankfully nestled between were warm months which allowed for good, even ripening. Producers had to be particularly attentive to sorting, but those who did were able to craft wines of impressive power and resonance. Modest levels of acidity has made the 2010 very accessible in their youth, but there remains solid potential for aging. 2010 has proven to be a fine successor to the delightful 2008s and 2009s.

  • 2009 - Follows admirably the brilliant 2008 vintage. After a bit of a challenging start with cold temperatures and minimal rain the rest of the year enjoyed a good, consistent growing season. No rain during an harvest cemented the quality of the wines which show great elegance, poise and balanced acidity. In terms of profile the wines are very similar to the 2008s, while coming from very different growing conditions. Unlike the 2008s, they are more accessible in the near term with many of the wines drinking beautifully upon release. A wide range of vintage declared options to choose from.

 

  • 2008 - A highly regarded vintage that has drawn comparisons the successes of the widely loved 2002s and 1996s. A cold start to the year was later greeted by a warm Spring, and then onto a cool and tad overcast Summer. Nonetheless, the health of the grapes was exceptional come harvest in September. The resulting wines are notable for their depth of concentration and bracing acidity. Many producers have opted for extended aging, allowing the wines to further coalesce and mellow before release. The 2008s will be exceptionally long lived offering years of enjoyment. A declared vintage for many producers.

 

  • 2007 - What started out as a promising vintage proved rather vexing given early flowering and excessive rains over the summer. The harvest was of significant volume, but the overall quality wasn’t at its highest levels. The Chardonnay crop fared better than Pinot Noir with racy acidity being the common denominator. Mostly a blending vintage, but there are a number of vintage bottlings out there that are worthy of attention.

 

  • 2006 - A mild Spring led into a warm summer which brought about flowering in June. Late Summer caused a bit of a stir among growers as heavy rains were of concern. Come harvest however the crop was nothing short of stunning. Good balance was struck among ripeness, acidity, and alcohol making wines of impeccable composure. While producers were hesitant to declare 2006 at the outset, many have done so after assessing the high quality of the vin clair. Overall the wines how excellent concentration and finesse and will offering terrific drinking in the near term. The top cuvees will be very age-worthy.

 

  • 2005 - A largely even-keeled vintage from Spring to harvest with a modest heat spike in August. An especially good harvest for Pinot Noir revealed wines of impressive depth and complexity. An excellent year for blending as well a number of terrific vintage bottlings from the majority of producers. A great vintage to enjoy in the near-term, but go ahead and cellar the top cuvees for a decade or more.

 

  • 2004 - A superlative year in all regards with a bumper crop and exceptional quality abounding. Low rainfall and coming on the heels of a drought year actually meant ripening was promoted while the threat of fungal infection was reduced. Ideal ripening conditions in August through the harvest resulted in wines great concentration and balanced acidity. A declared vintage for a large swath of producers, which many producing high rated wines that proved to be darlings of the critics. Definitely a favorite among Champagne collectors as the 2004s have great aging potential, but are equally delightful in the near term.

 

  • 2003 - As with much of the rest of France, the Champagne vintage was significantly hampered by an intense heatwave. Production levels were well below normal both due to cold in the early part of the season and the heat which arrived in the summer months. Despite these significant challenges top producers were able to craft superlative bottlings that defied the odds. A vintage to choose carefully, but there are treasures to be found. Broad and with modest acidity - these are ideal wines for those who love ripe and lush style. Good for mid-term cellaring.

 

  • 2002 - There is simply no other way to put it - 2002 was a glorious vintage. Comparable to such legendary years as 1988, 1989 and 1990 - the 2002s are the kind of Champagne that the critics and collectors clamor for. From Spring, to Summer, to harvest conditions were either perfect or near perfect with grapes showing excellent maturity and development. Perhaps most akin to the legendary 1990 they are rich and expressive wines that will continue to develop of many years to come. Success was enjoyed across the region making it one in which you can buy with confidence.

 

  • 2001 - A blighted vintage rife with challenges that culminated in a soggy harvest. Scant vintage bottlings were produced, which, in the end, is probably for the best. On the plus side, there are some great values to be had, but drink them up soon as longevity won’t be their strong suit.

 

  • 2000 - Things started out a tad spotty in 2000, but once the summer months rolled around everything came on line beautifully. While often overshadowed by the sensational 2002s, the 2000 bottlings can certainly hold their own. While the variance among producers was dramatic, even by Champagne’s standards, the best cuvees are known for a hedonistic display of ripe fruit and fleshy tones. For fans of round, well-endowed wines, 2000 offers ample options, but be prepared to pay a premium as the “Millennium” designation still holds cache.

 

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