Comments on: A Vintage Viewpoint (2009, 2008, 2007…)

By: merchants’ vintage 2008 en-primeur offers

merchants’ vintage 2008 en-primeur offers — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 07:00:54 +0000

[...] for the usual (UK) January EP-a-thon…My most recent thoughts on the vintage can be found here, and I’ve already bought wines in both colours. Jancis has also just added a little detail in [...]

By: billn

billn — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 17:10:13 +0000

A big thanks for that David, I rarely get so far south

By: David Bennett

David Bennett — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 16:04:17 +0000

Bill,

Great report as always and a treat to get the 3 vintage comparison. things “down sarf” on the Macconnais/Challonais border are often different to the “oop narth” and we find that the 09s are eagerly awaited, (reds>whites) the 08s are almost all instantly forgettable in whites and ultimately thiner in the reds with 07 being a cracker for whites and a little patience required for the reds to come around – I’ve found 07 reds to be a little lacking so far…obvious exceptions of course with Fichet and Guillot Broux.

The pouillys, Vergissions, Solutres, and St verans are stunning in 07 veering toward a less riper style than 06. I suspect the 09s to be lush again with 08s being the mineral vintage but I’ve not tasted enough to make a really sound judgement yet….will keep you posted!

Ps we are around over the new year – ur very welcome!

By: Mark Gough

Mark Gough — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 22:41:26 +0000

Bill, big thanks for this, don’t believe I’ve ever disagreed much with your sage observations on matters a la borgougne but, based on my amateur grafting, during the CDN 08 & CB 09 vendanges, totally agree with David B’s comments entirely.

I always hoped cum thought the 2008′s might surprise, not least the reds – but your description of the whites ‘excites’ my acidity loving taste buds just a bit (and then some !!).

Can’t wait to try some of these.

Re 2009 you are totally spot on with what I saw in my Pernand / Corton ‘bubble’ in Sept – and we finished just before the rains came ! But, having been flamed on a certain UK wine forum (from folk who have never got their hands etc dirty in a vineyard ?) for simply reporting what I saw I’m not going to say anything else except to wait for the wine to be in bottle and hopefully more than speak for itself

Etienne, really look forward to seing you I hope at the London January 2008 tastings – most probably at Loeb’s tasting ?

By: David Bywater

David Bywater — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 20:40:06 +0000

A very fair assessment in my opinion – I think the 2008s will surprise a few. To me similar to how the 2006s tasted – quite austere but with a certain glint in their eye.

I agree with Etienne’s comments on the CDB v CDB – top Pommard is seldom surpassed even in the higher echelons of the CDN!!!

By: billn

billn — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 12:40:05 +0000

Hi Etienne,
My comment comes as a lover of both Pommard and Volnay, and is based on my own triage experiences since 2004 – those Côte de Nuits guys almost always seem to get the better looking (less triage needed) grapes. Not the case in 2005 and 2009 of-course.

So less Volnay & Pommard to go-round (after triage) in most years, and ‘easier’ to make good wines in the CdN, so maybe I should have said

the average wines steadily improve in quality as you head north and into the Côte de Nuits

Cheers, Bill

By: Etienne de Montillle

Etienne de Montillle — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 12:33:18 +0000

Hi Bill,

Curious to better understand your comments on Volnay and Pommard. In terms of quality (hail strom discounted), over 5 vintages in reds, I would say roughly that
CN has the edge over CB 2 times (2000 /2001 /2006 / 2008 ?)
CB has the edge over CN 1 time (1999 / 2007 )
CB equals CN 2 times (2002 / 2003 / 2004 / 2005 / 2008 ? )

As for 2008 vintage, don’t you think that it would be fair to disctinguish Volnay (hail) and pommard that are just delicious and had nothing to envy to CN

when are you next in Burgundy ?
would be good to see you
best Etienne