Vintage Report 2016

The 2016 Burgundy Briefing Vintage Report is an in-depth assessment of the 2016 vintage on the Côte d’Or. Nightmare beginning, fairytale end. The memory of the devastating April frost will recede as delightful, medium bodied reds with juicy cherry fruit and supple tannins spread welcome cheer. The 2016 produced very digestible reds. Pinot as we like it. The whites are ripe, but not rich & are more restrained than 2015. Volumes are tiny and style, in the most damaged places, deviates to ‘strong’ whites and more concentrated reds. 

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 cover fifty 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 275 pages of tasting notes with introductions to the 102 visits to domaines and a few negocians. (55 visits for red and 47 for white). Last year I experimented with scoring wines wines out of 100, but find marking out of 20 offers more scope at the upper end and works better for the calibre of wines at the Burgundy domaines I visit. (I have supplied a table for an approximate conversion to 100.)  An asterisk marks wines 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.

The Red Collection. Selection of red wines to serve with meals and to lay down.

  • Supper: 8 wines for kitchen suppers and 12 for supper parties with tasting notes and suggestions for comparing wines from the same domaine, but from different terroir. These are relatively reasonably priced wines.

  • Dinner party: Elegant/mineral collection (4 wines). Gorgeous fruit & supple texture (4 wines). Fuller body (3 wines). A bit cold and strict (3 wines). 

  • Collectors: Wines to impress. Wines with quite power. Wines with intensity and finesse. (12 wines suggested)

The White Collection. Selection of white wines to serve with food.

  • Supper: Ten wines for a ‘kitchen supper’ and 6 for a ‘supper party’. 
  • Dinner party: 4 collections; Pretty, delicate, pure and high toned; Seven elegant wines; Two ‘full and rounded’ and one straight and powerful. 
  • Collectors: Wines to impress; Intensity and finesses; Wines with quiet power. Ten recommendations.

Older Vintages

As usual In like to taste some flights of past vintage to evaluate how the vintages are maturing. It is such a pleasure to taste older Burgundy in red and white. As a slight departure this year, there are more reds than whites. I made a separate visit in the spring to gather vignerons’ opinions and plenty of information for a detailed introduction to each flight. Additionally I made accompanying films in the vineyard which can be found in the films section of the website. 

  • Domaine Rossignol-Trapet, Gevrey-Chambertin, Petite Chapelle, 1993, 1999-2012

  • Domaine Thibault-Liger-Belair, Nuits Saint George, Les Saint Georges 2006-2014

  • Domaine Meo-Camuzet, Vosne-Romanée,  Aux Brûlées 1993, 1996, 1998, 2002, 2005, 2006, 2008

  • Domaine Meo-Camuzet, Vosne-Romanée, Les Chaumes 1993, 2002, 2005, 2006, 2008

  • Domaine Comte Armand, Pommard, Clos des Epeneaux 1980, 1995-2000

  • Domaine Chanson, Beaune Clos des Fèves 1995, 2002, 2003, 2005-2010

  • Domaine Chanson, Corton Vergennes 1994, 2000, 2003, 2005-2011

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.