2020 BURGUNDY OFFERING – A FOCUS ON THE 2018 VINTAGE.
2018 Vintage Report: The 2018 growing season in Burgundy was the warmest year yet in the 21st century, with temperatures on average 2° Celsius higher than normal. The vines yielded generously, particularly for Chardonnay, so it was important not to over crop in order to have concentration in the wines. Generally speaking, the wines are big, dense, fleshy and fruity Burgundies, with unbridled exuberance and youthful appeal. The best reds are outstanding, with a range of styles to appeal to all tastes.
Both reds and whites offer a charming immediacy, but I expect both colours to be capable of ageing, with the reds being longer-lived than the whites. Twenty or more years of cellaring potential should not be out of the question for the Premier and Grand Cru reds.
Domaine Morey Coffinet: It doesn’t get more Chassagne-Montrachet than this. Domaine Morey-Coffinet produces 14 different wines. Only one of them comes from vines outside the village. Domaine Morey-Coffinet goes back to 1978, when it was created from vineyards from two other Chassagne domaines – Domaine Marc Morey and Domaine Coffinet. The Domaine is now fully certified Biodynamic.
2018 Chassagne Montrachet $109.95
2018 Chassagne Montrachet 1er Cru La Romanee $149.95
Aurélien Verdet: Aurélien’s father was one of the pioneers of the biodynamic/organic movement in Burgundy in the 60s and 70s. Young Aurélien has taken over the domain and recently built in new winery in his Acrenant. All of the wines are organically grown. Aurélien says nothing is done by rote. Everything is done by feel, by taste, by intuition, by the phases of the moon and as the wines from each parcel and from each vintage demand.
2018 Chambolle Musigny $129.95
2018 Vosne Romanee 1er Cru Les Beaux Monts $195.95
Domaine Joseph Voillot: “I continue to hold Jean-Pierre in the highest regard—he is the quintessential Burgundy vigneron with an innate knowledge of winemaking that makes him one of the most respected, if not high profile, in the region. His wines are a masterclass in under-statement, letting the terroir do all the talking”. Neal Martin
2018 Volnay Vieilles Vignes $82.95
2018 Volnay 1er Cru Les Champans $139.95
A vintage like 2018 provides lots of long-term drinking pleasure, global demand for fine Burgundy will keep prices sky-high, and the most desirable wines from the best growers come with eye-watering figures. Hopefully, those who get their hands on them will enjoy them.
Picture credit: Malcolm Jolley – Good Food Revolution