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Red Burgundy Vintage Breakdown

Below is our current drinking advice for recent vintages of the red wines of Burgundy but there are many exceptions so please contact us for further information.

Our sales and purchasing team are extremely knowledgeable with a combined fine wine trade experience totalling hundreds of years. Please contact us for further details of any particular vintage or wine or advice on the drinking windows of wines from other regions.

Below is our current drinking advice for recent vintages of the red wines of Burgundy but there are many exceptions so please contact us for further information.

Our sales and purchasing team are extremely knowledgeable with a combined fine wine trade experience totalling hundreds of years. Please contact us for further details of any particular vintage or wine or advice on the drinking windows of wines from other regions.

2019 A potentially outstanding vintage from barrel, early tastings have fulfilled this potential in bottle - it may eclipse all other recent vintages. There is a solar ripeness to the wines yet much more freshness in acidity and fruit when compared to 2018. Deep, disarmingly charmful and built to last. Hold. 
2018 A richer, ripe vintage with bold fruit and above average alcohol. Heatwaves led to some big wines, so seek out cooler sites. There are great wines at the top that are flattering but deep in structure. 
2017 A good vintage with, rarely, good volume! Classically proportioned with fresh acids and soft tannins, they have real approachability and old school savour. 
2016 A classic vintage with both ripeness and freshness though a bit less weight and power than the 2015s. Village level wines are now approachable but hold the Premier and Grand Crus. 
2015 A great vintage - arguably the best since 2005. The wines are muscular, rich, ripe and powerful with abundant fruit. Many of the lesser wines will be relatively approachable in their youth but the top wines will benefit from at least 10 years cellaring.
2014 A very fine and under-rated vintage. Classically styled with great freshness and purity. 1er Crus and Grand Crus would benefit from 2-5 years more in the cellar, however the pure, ripe and fresh style of the wines makes many of the villages level wines approachable now. 
2013 A good, approachable vintage. Freshness and fragrance are abundant. Drink now or keep in the short term. A better vintage than 2011 but behind 2012 and 2014.
2012 Another very fine vintage with good richness, ripeness and density. The villages wines and many of the 1er Crus offer excellent current drinking.
2011 A challenging vintage in the vineyards produced forward wines, ideal for drinking in the short-medium term. Drink or sell.
2010 A terrific vintage that produced wines with outstanding balance. Not as concentrated as the fuller 2005s and 2015s but laser-like precision, gorgeous ripe fruit and fine freshness are the hallmarks of this great, classic vintage. Drink and enjoy now although the top wines will still develop further in cellar. Drink or hold.
2009 An opulent, rich and warm vintage. Big wines, most of which can be drunk now but the top wines will benefit from a further 5+ years in the cellar. Drink or hold.
2008 A good but not great vintage, slightly lean but now mature and ready to drink.
2007 A charming vintage for current drinking. Underrated with wines that offer great drinking pleasure now. Drink or sell.
2006 A excellent vintage but somewhat overshadowed by the wines from 2005 . Great balance and ripe fruit. Classic wines. Many are at peak now, but tere is no rush to drink the top wines.
2005 One of the great Burgundy vintages. The wines are dense, powerful and ripe. Village level wines and some 1er Crus will reward those that have had the patience to wait until now whilst the top wines may need a little longer.
2004 A challenging vintage. Drink or sell.
2003 A year marked by the extreme heat of the vintage means that the wines often lack typicity. Now mature, they should be drunk or sold.
2002 Though behind 2010 and 2005, this is a excellent vintage and the wines offer much pleasure to drink. Drink or sell.
2001 An underrated vintage, much like it is in Bordeaux. Beautifully balanced wines, now fully mature. Drink or sell.
2000 A charming vintage, now fully mature. Drink or sell.
1999 A great vintage. The very best wines will continue to develop over the next decade or more. Drink or sell.
<1999 Now fully mature and should be drunk or sold.
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