Vintage Report 2014

The 2014 Burgundy Briefing Vintage Report is an in-depth assessment of the 2014 vintage on the Côte d’Or. It was an exceptional vintage for white wine. The reds are pleasing. 

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 250 pages of tasting notes with introductions to each domaine or negoce 81 visits (49 visits for red and 32 for white). The wines are scored out of 20 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.

Cellar Selection

In addition to my ‘hit list’ of favourite wines of the vintage, I have grouped a selection of favourite wines to serve with meals; from everyday meals to special occasions. I have suggested a few terroir comparisons from the same domaine – to have some fun with your more adventurous friends who will appreciate the nuances.

  • Supper: 8 wines for kitchen suppers and 14 for supper parties with suggestions for comparing wines from the same domaine, but from different terroir. These are relatively reasonably priced wines.

  • Dinner party: Elegant collection (8 wines). Gorgeous fruit (5 wines). Full-bodied and rich (6 wines). Deep and dark (4 wines). Here too I make some suggestions for contrasting and comparing wines from the same domaine, but from different terroir.

  • Collectors: Wines to impress. Wines with quite power. Wines with intensity and finesse.

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 Ghislaine Barthod, Chambolle-Musigny Les Cras 1999 to 2013.

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 Patrick Javillier, Meursault Cuvée Tête de Murger 1999-2013
  • Domaine Jean-Claude Bachelet et Fils, Saint-Aubin, Blanchot-Dessus 2002-2013
  • Domaine Ballot-Millot, a combination of Meursault, Perrières & Meursault, Les Genevrères 2000-2013
  • Domaine Remi Rollin, Pernand-Vergelesses, Les Cloux

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.