Last weekend, we lost Marko de Morey – a long-time contributor to Burgundy Report.

His acerbic observations on the harvests – at multiple domaines over multiple years – made him a great favourite here.

Mark was a friend, so I am shocked to learn he has left us.

I fondly remember his combative personality – which I’m sure was apparent to all in his writings – but also his love of Burgundy – not just the wines but the place and the people too.

For many well-known names in the UK (Burgundy) wine trade, he was also their Bank Manager – retired 3-4 years now – his ire about some of those traders that he helped out, who would in later years no-longer allocate him a bottle of Roumier could light up a room and warm your hands with its incandescence – and that was also the fun of Mark – as, to cool off, we sipped something from Lafon instead 🙂

I will miss him dearly…

Chablis Grand Cru – July 2023

For a vintage finishing in ‘3’ – i.e. 2023 – the vigneron(ne)s are very happy; quantity together with quality has been their mantra.

Given what was to follow in 2024, they are particularly thankful for the production volume of 2023. This was one of the largest recorded volumes, in places exceeding the volume produced in 2018. The authorised volumes were at a maximum – more in the case of grand crus – plus an additional ‘reserve’ (the VCI) to be used if times of need were to arrive – as they surely did in 2024.

I can confirm that practically every 2023 wine I tasted in the region – 65 domaines in my first wave of visits between January and February 2025 – was delicious. But I was usually left asking myself ‘But is this really Chablis?’ I typically felt that these were wines from planet chardonnay – compared to 2014s, 2017s, 2021s and even the 2024s in waiting, which clearly came from planet Chablis.

In my first week of visits, I found just 3 domaines where my eyes lit up as I tasted the wines.

It’s a vintage that showcases the grape variety more than ‘place.’ So, if you really want Chablis, you will need my list of ‘best addresses’ – in my January 2025 report …

The December 2024 issue of Burgundy-Report

The 2023 Burgundy Vintage:
Part 3 of 3 in the Côte d’Or
Right: Beaune – Sept 2023 harvesting…

This report comprises 34 reports of visits from December 2024 plus a link to my summary of the Côte d’Or vintage from the October report. That’s 114 domaines from the Côte d’Or now online. The 2023 visits in Chablis will be online in just a couple of weeks – only my summary needs to penned 🙂

As usual, from each producer a few words on their vintage campaigns (2023 & 2024) and, as always, those extra-special wines that are worth a special search are highlighted for you.

December’s part 3 here: The Côte d’Or reports with 34 additional domaines…

The November 2024 issue of Burgundy-Report

The 2023 Burgundy Vintage:
Part 2 of 3 in the Côte d’Or
Right: Vosne-Romanée – 12-Sept 2023

This report comprises 42 reports of visits from November 2024 plus a link to my summary of the Côte d’Or vintage from the October report.

As usual, from each producer a few words on their vintage campaigns (2023 & 2024) and, as always, those extra-special wines that are worth a special search are highlighted for you. I’ve another 80 visits underway that will populate the November and December reports – online before I head to Chablis in 3 weeks time – I hope 🙂

Part 3 of the Côte d’Or reports will have about another 35 domaines…

The October 2024 issue of Burgundy-Report

The 2023 Burgundy Vintage:
Part 1 of 3 in the Côte d’Or
Right: Pommard – 08-Sept 2023

This report comprises 38 reports of visits from October 2024 plus my summary of the Côte d’Or vintage.

As usual, from each producer a few words on their vintage campaigns (2023 & 2024) and, as always, those extra-special wines that are worth a special search are highlighted for you. I’ve another 80 visits underway that will populate the November and December reports – online before I head to Chablis in 3 weeks time – I hope 🙂

All my best wishes to you all for 2025 – and now it’s time for a glass of Epénots 🙂