This season, including winter, is marked by a fairly significant rain deficit. Spring was not particularly precocious, with in particular a fairly cool month of May. The end of flowering foreshadowed a start of harvest between September 18 and 20th. A normal year then ... 

It was without counting with a summer arriving suddenly and allowing a very rapid growth. Then there were a few heatwave episodes ... Powdery mildew has been a constant concern throughout the season but other diseases have left us alone. The situation was therefore very healthy at harvest, with just a little bit of dried berries to sort.

During this time, heat and sunlight caused the maturation to evolve rapidly, leading us to constantly re-evaluate the harvest date. Finally, the starting signal was given on September 13th, almost a week before the initially planned date... 

Despite a sometimes heterogeneous flowering, we found very ripe grapes, good to harvest everywhere, including Clos St Philibert, which did not not had the usual difference with the vineyards below on the « Côte ». 

The degrees have gone up and are very high (almost all the wines are around 14°) but the good surprise was to see beautiful acidity, quite biting even at the start of fermentation, with deep color extractions from the start. Few difficult endings of fermentation and in total, vinification without problem despite the high maturity.

The wines were exciting right from the start: rich, deep, powerful but very smooth... Of course, marked by maturity, with a lot of sweetness and smoothness, but also a significant acid support, much more intense than in 2018. A very good starting point... 

In this case, all there is to fear is the "great vintage" syndrome, ie a little too much power that would erase the terroirs. This is not the case, the aging has played its part and the wines have progressed in finesse, each one conforms to its character! 

By the way, this is reassuring about the effects of climate change on our region, Burgundy is not distorted...

Wines from which we can probably expect the following development: a rich youth but all in pleasure and appeal, some bottles being to seize in this state, for pure pleasure; a more closed period, after 2-3 years in the bottle, during which it would be better to leave the wines alone; a rebirth after 8-10 years, where wines with more tension than at the start will begin to show their true face and their magnificent balance. An evolution like in... 2009!

June 2021

Bourgogne blanc

A nice open nose, on ripe yellow fruits, where we can still distinguish a freshness of good caliber. The wood is light and well integrated.
On the palate, the wine is frank and lively at first, then unfolds, showing a nice roundness (and even a hint of heat) but ends by tightening on the acidity.
The whole makes an excellent impression, pleasant, balanced, appealing, the wine seems accessible from the end of 2021 and should remain at its optimum until 2026.

Hautes Côtes de Nuits Clos St Philibert

The nose is very expressive, nonetheless delicate: notes of exotic fruits (lychee, pineapple), a hint of pepper and greens, a well-integrated woodiness ...
In the mouth, the wine is subtle, fine, direct. Some leanness is obvious, for those who visualize the plot, one has the impression of tasting its pebbles ... The acidity, traditional in this wine, carries it and gives it a good length.
A very well balanced and gourmet "Clos St Phi", even if the wine is still quite discreet and can progress. Wait until the end of 2022 for consumption until the end of the decade.

Ladoix

A generally pleasant nose, where white fruits stand out, but also a hint of reduction, announcing a certain austerity.
On the palate, the wine is direct, quite dense and compact, with quite a bit of tension. The acidity is present on the finish.
A wine where appeal is not absent but which currently has a reserved and somewhat closed profile. The élevage is still a little present, as well as some sulfur notes. This is promising but needs to wait until at least 2022 for further refinement to allow tasting.

Saint-Aubin 1er cru 2018

Yellow and white fruits and a well-integrated oak characterize the nose, even if it is necessary to go beyond a certain sulfur reduction at first.
The palate is beautiful, with good fatness and a fine and spicy finish. A remainder of angular acidity remains at the end of the tasting.
Characteristic of St Aubin, with an austerity of good quality, this wine would benefit from waiting another two or three years before being consumed. From 2023 to 2030.

Meursault

Straight away, a frank, open and very ripe aromatic. Aromas of honey but also of white and yellow fruits, citrus, flowers ...

We also find this maturity on the palate, with richness at the opening and a wine that gains in amplitude in the mid-palate. The finish, however, is still tight with fairly present acidity, which still needs to be integrated. But it does balance the wine and gives it good length.

Solid wine, well in its appellation, very promising because at the same time ripe and acidulous. Not yet ready, however: it should be left to age for a minimum of two more years, i.e. tasting from 2023, for an optimum around 2028-2030.

Corton Charlemagne

A slightly discreet but elegant nose: the wood brings among other aromas sweet, smoky and aniseed notes; some exotic fruits and vegetal notes are also to be noted. The whole is already very appealing.

On the palate, a lot of precision, even if we notice the reserve perceived on the nose: the wine seems round, almost rich at times but rather collected and not very expansive, despite a fat texture and a lively finish.

A wine of fine nobility and finesse, the main asset of which today is its long and complex finish. It still needs to develop 3 or 4 years for an optimum tasting between 2028 and 2030.

June 2021

Bourgogne Côte d'Or « hémisphère sud »

An open nose, where we find black fruits, figs and a touch of vegetal.
On the palate, a fleshy and round side, dense and coherent, with a rather fine finish, where a certain warmth is felt.
Very nice wine, which already shows a beautiful finesse and can therefore be tasted now. Will keep without problems for the next 10 years.

Bourgogne Côte d'Or « hémisphère nord »

An intense nose of crushed red fruits (morello cherry, strawberry, fresh fig), very ripe but seductive.
In the mouth, an obvious maturity, some fatness but we avoid heaviness. The finish is tighter, with fiery tannins, which prolong the wine more than they tighten it and which are enveloped by a nice sweetness.
The whole constitutes an astonishing mixture of accessibility, appeal and seriousness. Very open, it can already be consumed for its generous fruitiness, but it will keep well for the next 10 years.

Bourgogne Côte d'Or « Etienne Camuzet »

The nose is a little more discreet on this wine but gradually reveals itself: red and black fruits, flowers, damp pebbles ...
On the palate, very supple, even tender, the tannins are smooth, the finish light and very gentle. The whole is very coherent.
Despite a very nice tasting, this wine does not seem completely ready to drink, and appears a little behind. To be kept until the end of 2022, for a tasting until 2027.

Marsannay

An open nose of ripe red fruits. Also spices and some smoky notes.
On the palate, the wine is fleshy and very present, almost imposing. The texture is silky and warm, but the finish is almost tense and the acidity stands out.
Here is an expressive, pleasant, multi-faceted wine that can be approached now although, in all probability, it will gain in finesse over the next few years and in any case until 2027.

Fixin

Red and black fruits are present, although the nose is quite discreet. Despite this, there is an impression of depth from this first contact.
As is often the case with this wine, the palate is tender, fine even at first glance, then the frame seems to become denser to finish again on a very elegant impression.
Still a lot of charm for this very supple cuvée, which could however gain in balance and density over the coming months. To be approached at the end of 2022 for a tasting until 2028.

Morey Saint Denis

Nice nose of strawberry and raspberry, also of black cherry, with a touch of wood and liquorice. Everything is already well integrated.

On the palate, it gives the impression of being collected, tense, with a nice texture. The freshness is there, very present, The finish is a little tannic, with a touch of rusticity, not dominant however.

4 or 5 years would allow these elements to merge because the wine already shows an evident seduction.

Volnay

A very open nose of cherry, with touches of citrus and sweet notes. A little reduction, the gamey side that emerges will require good aeration at the opening.

On the palate, a reserved side, some sharpness due to a rather strong acidity which carries the wine but makes it a little severe. A compact structure, boding well for future aging, precedes a still austere finish that needs to loosen up.

This wine lacks a bit of empathy today. But it should ease over the next few years, there is a great starting material just waiting to be expressed.

Pommard

An impression of density on the nose, conferred by aromas of black fruits, smoky and spicy notes and a slight sulfur reduction.

The mouth shows a good amplitude, seems dense, solid but also quite mellow. Rather fleshy, but not overwhelming tannins prolong the wine.

This wine seems quite solid, well established and in line with a certain idea we have of Pommard ... However, far from the rustic caricature too often conveyed. A little aging is necessary before tasting, which could be envisaged from 2024, until 2030 for the optimum.

Gevrey-Chambertin

Oh, what an enticing nose! Red and black fruits (strawberry, raspberry, cherry), sweet notes brought by aging (biscuit, cinnamon, caramel) and some floral notes (iris, violet).

A slightly sharp freshness in the attack, which accompanies the wine. This gains in power during the tasting. The acidity is very present, giving rebound on the finish.

This is a wine with sparkle, a shimmering flavor and a lot of harmony. Already attractive, it will keep as well, 7 to 9 years without problem. However, it is not inconceivable to start tasting it as early as 2023.

Chambolle-Musigny

A slight reduction comes at the start of the tasting somewhat blurring the message conveyed by intense black fruits and subtle smoky notes.

On the palate, a nice attack, both firm and soft, a lot of freshness, this one being even more noticeable than on the nose. The finish is slightly severe, some tannins still grip but accompany and prolong the tasting.

This is a wine on a fresh frame for the vintage, so it is logically still reserved. But it's all there! It should be given a little time to reveal its balance and therefore its finesse, ideally until at least 2026.

Nuits Saint Georges

Here is a nice subtle nose, composed of red fruits, vanilla, cinnamon, wood ... The whole is open, delicious and well integrated.
On the palate, the texture is caressing and ample, the tannins firm but refined. The result is good length, with an impression of sweetness and finesse.
This wine is both harmonious and structured, complex and deep. It has a great future, while being approachable now. Certainly one of the emblematic wines of the vintage, that we can start drinking from 2022 on but will keep without problems until 2030.

Vosne-Romanée

The first contact is very pleasant, with an open nose, extremely fruity (with in particular a beautiful expression of raspberry and cherry) and fresh, with a well-integrated wood (we perceive notes of liquorice and caramel).

Very nice profile on the palate as well: the attack is full-bodied and vibrant; a beautiful freshness accompanies the wine throughout the tasting, the acidity prolongs it without making the finish biting.

It "glides on its own", seems very comfortable in its appellation and charms you with its delicate and delicious construction. A little easier and more affordable than usual, it could be drunk as early as 2023, even if the optimum for tasting is rather around 2028 or 2030.

June 2021

Fixin Clos du Chapitre

A nose that will immediately be described as generous and open: the aromas jostle, between red and black fruits, slightly stewed, a vegetal and spicy touch, some woody notes to support the whole ... We can't wait to taste it in the mouth!

The tasting rectifies the first approach somewhat with a fresh attack on the palate, a tight, fairly straight frame, a juicy and long, but slightly tannic finish.

A complete wine: good maturity, preserved acidity, aromatic delicacy ... A lot of charm, but the structure clearly present imposes a delay before consumption. We recommend waiting at least 3-4 years for an optimized tasting between 2028 and 2030.

Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru les Cras

On the nose, the maturity is evident and is expressed by crushed red fruits and sweet notes such as cane sugar, licorice or cinnamon. A slight touch of menthol as well. The wood is present but well integrated.

The impression is a little different on the palate, with a rather collected, almost tense wine, with supple and distinguished tannins. There is a hint of heat in the finish but it is not overwhelming and everything feels cohesive.

A little more reserved than usual, this wine shows excellent aging potential! It has complexity to spare, a little evolution should allow it to offer the full range of its charms ... To be tackled from 2025.

Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru les Feusselottes

The nose is open, even if the wood is present now: notes of vanilla, caramel, for the sweet side, liquorice and smoky for the empyreumatic part. After airing, the fruit is ripe, with cherry and fresh fig.

On the palate, the barrel is much less present but undoubtedly allows the wine to gain flesh and show a very beautiful structure: fine, quite chiseled, nevertheless ample, with a spicy finish, the result of the combination of acidity and tannins. .

A seductive wine, already complex, with good maturity. Typical of the vintage, with this blend of acidity and maturity, it will gain with aging until 2026

Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru les Chaumes
A well-defined nose, with lovely fresh red and black fruits. A nice woody note too, with some anise and minty notes.
The palate is straight, direct, very consistent, with a very long but slightly austere finish. The tannins are racy, the whole is pulpy and vibrant.
This is a very nice version of the 2019 vintage, endowed with a freshness which admittedly currently gives a certain austerity to the wine (although some will find it quite to their taste as of today) but which assures it of great aging potential. From 2030.

Nuits St Georges 1er Cru

An aromatic structure that is first expressed by empyreumatic and liquorice notes. The fruit is present of course, mainly in the form of raspberries. Also noticeable, vegetal and humus notes, not unpleasant, especially since they do not mismatch in a Nuits St Georges.

On the palate, the wine is quite straight, with a lot of minerality despite an obvious maturity. The acidity takes over on the finish and the wine ends in a spicy register.

This wine is very pleasant, rather sympathetic even, but it will take a little time to digest the woody notes which are still quite present. To be approached in 4-5 years.

Vosne Romanée 1er Cru

For the first sensation on the nose, the wood is still quite present, with smoky notes, liquorice and spices. Very black fruit however emerges and brings approachability.

On the palate, one is immediately seduced by a nice finesse, a frank and round attack, a general feeling of balance and suppleness, even if the finish seems more tight and straight.

A nice and seductive wine, but also structured. Its density, its firmer finish require aging for a few years, ideally until 2030-2032, but at least until 2027.

Nuits St Georges 1er Cru les Perrières

The nose is rather open, even if you have to work the wine a little: the start is a little hidden, then the black cherry appears, aromas of candy, woody notes ... The marriage between fruit and wood is harmonious at this stage.

On the palate, finesse is the dominant impression: fresh, subtle, a little on reserve but lots of length and even sparkle.

It is obvious that this wine has potential ... and that this potential, despite the obvious current finesse, has not yet been realized. Aging for a few years (until at least 2026) will make it take on a little more amplitude and reveal even more the pretty definition and sophistication that are its major characteristics.

Nuits St Georges 1er Cru aux Argillas

Aromatically still a little dominated by wood (notes of vanilla), even if spices and especially red fruits (raspberry, strawberry, redcurrant...) are also present.

The entry into the mouth is distinguished, with a good amplitude; a certain straightforwardness is then expressed but the finesse persists, the texture is tasty and this wine cannot be described as severe.

A Nuits St Georges that is ultimately more elegant and affordable than usual. Admittedly, the terroir seems signed by a slight bitterness at the end of the mouth and we can also imagine a greater openness over time, but for some, it will already seem quite approachable. Aging until 2030 is however recommended.

Nuits St Georges 1er Cru aux Murgers

From the start, the nose is devilishly enticing, very diverse: there are sour cherry, blueberry, mint, notes of toast and flint. This makes for a completely flirtatious and charming ensemble.

The palate is smooth at the start, a little on the reserve, the fruit reappears in the middle of tasting and the finish is quite lacy.

It is clear this wine is extremely seductive even if one cannot help but notice a certain reserve. It will therefore benefit from aging even more, without a problem for ten years and much more. For the impatient ones, it can be tried in 5-6 years.

Nuits St Georges 1er Cru aux Boudots

The nose is open and already very seductive: there are red and black fruits, some floral notes and wood providing a very nice sweet support (vanilla and caramel) to the frame of the wine, which we can guess already appealing. We have a hard time breaking away from it ...

The mouth is voluminous, very ample, marked by silky and racy tannins. The wood goes well with the wine, giving it energy, although the finish could be more expressive.

Caressing, with a very nice texture but not forgetting to be complex, this wine has a lot of advantages and should be one of the stars of the vintage! It even tastes very well now ... even if its mass will withstand aging for ten years very well (until 2030) for even more sensations!

June 2021

Corton Charlemagne 

Straight away, a frank, open and very ripe aromatic. Aromas of honey but also of white and yellow fruits, citrus, flowers ...

We also find this maturity on the palate, with richness at the opening and a wine that gains in amplitude in the mid-palate. The finish, however, is still tight with fairly present acidity, which still needs to be integrated. But it does balance the wine and gives it good length.

Solid wine, well in its appellation, very promising because at the same time ripe and acidulous. Not yet ready, however: it should be left to age for a minimum of two more years, i.e. tasting from 2023, for an optimum around 2028-2030.

Charmes-Chambertin

The nose, quite discreet at first glance, mainly offers notes of cherry (morello cherry, kirsch) and wood (smoked, cocoa, liquorice). Also some floral notes which make the whole very complex.

On the palate, the wine first shows a silky, caressing, even sweet side. Then the acidity takes over and makes a strong comeback at the end of the tasting; this has the effect of lengthening the wine without making it lose its delicacy.

It is not at all demeaning to say that the wine is quite immediate and rewarding at this point, well in the expression of its terroir. We can still detect a certain reserve, as is normal for a grand cru; therefore, it should ideally be waited for at least until 2029.

Corton Perrieres

Immediately upon opening, a nice complex nose showing ripe red fruits (strawberry and raspberry), woody spices and floral and vegetal notes (menthol) due to a slight addition of stems. Airing reveals darker fruits and mineral notes (limestone).

On the palate, it begins discreetly, appears very fine and pleasant, without being overwhelming. But it ramps up quickly and develops with a lively and dynamic mid palate, beautiful fruit and a sappy and firm tannic structure. And always this impression of pebbles ...

A wine that cultivates its difference: upright, with a certain firmness, but no austerity. This year, it looks finer and more approachable, even seductive, with great dynamics and a stretched finish.

Corton la Vigne au Saint

A still discreet nose but where we find black fruits, sweet woody notes such as vanilla and caramel, spices, a floral touch, and perhaps a little reduction which would explain this aromatic reserve.

In the mouth, a beautiful amplitude and an immediate seduction: the texture is at the same time tender, fine, juicy, sparkling even at the end of the mouth... and very "drinkable" because the structure is refined, almost airy for the vintage.

A very welcoming ensemble, however, we feel that the wine is still a little closed and above all, that it can do more! it would be better to wait until 2031.

Clos de Vougeot

A fine but nevertheless varied and open nose, where we find red fruits, fresh plum, light smoky notes from a well-integrated élevage and above all, an earthy side which we are not surprised to find in this appellation.

The palate is delicate in the attack but quickly shows a nice presence, with sweetness and a long finish, all in fine persistence.

Certainly a very nice ensemble, complex and svelte, for a wine that is a little more massive, more like the image of the appellation, than usual. As a result, a little less easy despite the finesse and appeal inherent in this cuvée ... All the same approachable within two years but it seems to us that the potential will only be fully realized in ten years, that is to say from 2031 on.

Corton Clos Rognet

From the opening, a great aromatic amplitude, where we find very ripe red and black fruits, a beautiful expression of well integrated wood with almost pastry aromas (hand of spice, vanilla). Very promising and salivating!

On the palate, amplitude and concentration from the start but without the wine appearing to be heavy! There is a lot of energy, vibrations even in the final, which keeps it on a great dynamic.

This wine represents a very beautiful expression of Corton and of the vintage: the maturity is there, certainly, but without being overwhelming. As always, aging should be gradual. Currently quite integrated, it is not unthinkable to taste it within two years, for lovers of young wines ... For others, they can easily wait 10 to 12 years, i.e. from 2032.

Échezeaux les Rouges du Bas

What a festival to the nose! Intense black fruits (especially blackberry), smoky and anise notes, a woody flavor that brings gourmet aromas (shortbread, pastry cream)... We are already under the spell!

On the palate, the attack is frank, full-bodied and solid. But this does not at all give an imposing dimension to the wine, the concentration is underlying, it supports the wine and gives it body and consistency. We could also mention the acidity, which allows a nice freshness and gives a promising length.

By its intensity and its aromatic and taste palette, this wine already gives a lot of pleasure. More approachable than usual, for lovers of young wines, it already allows them to indulge themselves with a grand cru. For the majority, however, it will be better to keep it for another dozen years, or until 2033.

Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru aux Brulées

Fleeting aromas but which in the end make up a complex and elegant aromatic palette: there are red fruits, spicy notes, a slightly smoky wood (which allows the wine to bear its name well), all of this quite changeable and pleasant.

The entry into the mouth is very beautiful, of great amplitude, both filling and delicious. The finish is very long and fine, very seductive.

This is a majestic wine, as Vosne knows how to be, an impression immediately corrected by extreme elegance and softness, especially on the finish. However, we feel a certain austerity (or is it reserve?) Which makes us think that it would be better to let it integrate again until 2032.

Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru au Cros Parantoux

Powerful fruit mingles with notes of élevage that are still a little present: intense red-black fruits complemented by notes of cinnamon, bramble, anise ...

On the palate, the attack is full-bodied with a nice presence and an enveloping texture. This material is embellished by a fruitiness that persists well after the first approach on the nose. The finish is a little tight, mineral, not very expansive but still stretched by the fruit.

A wine on the freshness, joyful, with great potential but fine. No heaviness, a certain reserve but overall more accessible than usual. Despite this, aging for several years will be beneficial. We can consider starting to drink it from 2030.

 

Richebourg

A nose similar in structure to that of Cros Parantoux but with a different expression: a beautiful intensity of red and black fruits with notes of élevage on the smoky-toasted side. In addition, floral scents such as violet and peony are also noteworthy.

On the palate, the usual majesty of Richebourg, with its smooth and serious side. The structure is very regular during the tasting, until a slightly harder finish, showing also a little touch of warmth.

A calm, solid wine, impressive in many ways. It is not until a good aging (at least 2032) that it will acquire all the finesse and complexity of which it is capable!