Vintage Report 2013

The 2013 Burgundy Briefing Vintage Report is an in-depth assessment of the 2013 vintage on the Côte d’Or. Despite trying conditions it is a charming red fruit vintage, given the work was precise. Style is divided for whites depending on the date of the harvest.

The report has become a valuable tool for buying these expensive wines, but remans true its original concept to be an engaging insight into the region, aimed at those who wish to keep informed about Burgundy’s latest vintage and its people.

There are two comprehensive vintage reports, one for red wine another for white, which follow a similar format. They include plenty of contributions from the growers and hence covers 50 pages, however I begin with a few key facts to summarise.

Vintage Vantage Point

  • The defining factors of the season which have shaped the wines.
  • Analysis: Considering sugar, acidity and tannins and how they are balanced.
  • How the vintage was handled in winery.
  • Style is considered with plenty of contributions from the growers.
  • Quality; my assessment and the growers’ opinions.
  • Vintage comparions.
  • Villages and vineyards:
  • Villages: An overview of each of the principal villages on the Côte d’Or; the style and quality of the village wines and specific lieux-dits (named vineyards).
  • Vineyards: Drilling down into the premier and grand crus within the villages, which vineyards stood out or under-performed.
  • Ageing capacity and when to drink the wines.
  • The market in and for Burgundy, reflecting the growers’ perspective and my observations.

Tasting Notes

The bulk of the report consists of 200 pages of tasting notes with introductions to each domaine or negoce (65 visits). The wines are scored with an asterisk for those which stood out in each cellar.

Selection of favourite wines

A red and white ‘hit’ lists; my pick of the favourite wine from each cellar.

Older Vintages

As usual I like to include some vertical flights of premier cru to consider how past vintages are developing and when it is best to drink them. The highlight for the reds this year was a tasting of Domaine Confuron-Cotetidot, Vosne-Romanée, Les Suchots 78, 83, 87, 88, 93, 96, 99, 2003 and all vintage between 2005 to 2012 .

Vintage Review of White Wines from 1997-2012.

  • I update this review each year by tasting different verticals of whites. This year the vertical tastings included
  • Domaine René Lamy-Pillot, Chassagne-Montrachet, Les Morgeots 97, 98, 99 and 2003 to 2012
  • Domaine Jean-Claude Bachelet et Fils, Saint-Aubin, Les Chamois 2002-2012
  • Domaine Jean-Louis Chavy, Puligny-Montachet, Les Folatières 2004-2012
  • Domaine Michel Morey-Coffinet, Chassagne-Montrachet, Les Farendes1999, 2002, 2006-2012

This report can be purchased for £65. It will be emailed as pdfs on receipt of payment via Paypal. If you wish to purchase it by cheque or by bank transfer, please contact me by email. The pdfs are sent manually, so please be patient if you do not receive it immediately, particularly in May, June and October when I am in Burgundy.