2016 White Burgundy Report
Whilst recent headlines shout that 2017 could be the lowest volume wine harvest in France since 1945, that’s not the case in Burgundy – that’s 2016. The 2016 crop was devastated by frost – a gelée noire or black frost – this is where the vines are frozen overnight… Read More
that’s what 5 hl/ha looks like
Pierre Vincent at Domaine Leflaive. Tasting 2016s this morning, there was this chance to see what a whole hectare of Montrachet delivered in 2016 – due of-course to the frost of 27 April. Six producers assembled all their grapes from 1 hectare of vines so there was enough… Read More
2017 Vintage – what we know in 2017 – and a few pointers…
This was my 14th consecutive harvest in Burgundy – triaging the grapes of multiple villages. I believe that this, together with questioning the winemakers, is the best balance of first-hand and third-party input required to comment on the vintage. If the frosted 2016 vintage was seemingly a case of quality… Read More
2017 harvest – 30 august
Erwan Faiveley has been advertising his up-comng harvest on LinkedIn of all places – and as you can see (right) having a little fun on the way too! Yesterday, the 29th, saw Coche-Dury picking a trio of Meursaults: Perrières, Genevrières and Chevalières (Armand Heitz is bringing in his Perrières today)… Read More
it’s (practically) here – burgundy’s 2017 harvest time – 3, 2, 1, go!
The weekend was stormy in many parts of France, some wine-growing areas had hail – Champagne for instance – fortunately none was reported in Burgundy, in fact many producers were happy to see a little rain. A few early pickers were already in the vines last week – Olivier… Read More
Profile: Jules Desjourneys
Tasted with Fabien Duperray in La Chapelle de Guinchay, 23 May 2017. Domaine Jules Desjourneys 75 rue Jean Thorin 71570 La Chapelle de Guinchay Tel: +33 3 85 33 85 88 Fabien, who is in his early-50s, is rather camera-shy, but it’s the only part of this… Read More
Château Pommard – 2015
Tasted in Pommard with Emmanuel Sala, 28 March 2017. Château de Pommard 15, rue Marey Monge BP 30018 – 21630 Pommard Tel: +33 3 80 22 12 59 www.chateaudepommard.com There seems to have been a long line of new names in commercial positions at the… Read More
2007 Whites…
Before the arrival of the 2014 vintage, 2007 was my gold-standard, my reference point for what whites could deliver – but not at all levels! The issue with 2007 was the with the lower appellation wines – many were too acidic – very drinkable and fresh on release, but they… Read More
some week 51 wines…
1993 Vaudoisey-Creusefond, Pommard 1er Epenots Hmm, the nose is not the most attractive thing – yet wait 30 minutes and aeration seems to remove a musty, oxidative element, and we start to sing along with an engaging sous-bois and sleek sweetness. In the mouth this retains some power… Read More