Marked by precocity and concentration, this vintage will not simply be remembered as that of COVID ... Of course, we cannot deny the stress caused by the pandemic (organization of work and harvests, supply difficulties) but in the end, it did not result in negative impacts.

Much more significantly, this season is marked by mildness, sunshine and water deficit. A mild winter, a very mild month of March, temperatures of 25°C recorded as early as April: the vegetation started with an advance which continued during the season. The flower passes in just a week and ends on May 26. We already know at this point that a harvest in August is very likely. The rest of the season will follow suit: strong sunshine, lack of rain, the vines are "galloping" and will require intense work to keep up with their pace. But otherwise, the year does not present any particular difficulties, apart from a surge of powdery mildew in early summer. 

Vineyards do not seem to be affected by water stress (perhaps thanks to a very watered winter) and continues its maturation cycle, until an episode of heat wave in early August, which will have a definite effect on the character and concentration of the vintage.

The harvest began on August 23, an absolute record of precocity, and took place in summery, but not overwhelming weather. The crop is at this point very healthy and will remain so, unfortunately some sorting is still necessary, due to the scalding caused by the heatwave. There is here certainly an explanation for the low yields of the vintage. 

The alcoholic degrees are high, although lower than those of 2019 (most are below 14 °), however at the end of the harvest, some sites surprise us with their relatively low sugar level. 

All have surprising acidity, marked by low malic acid and very good tartaric acid retention. And above all, an incredible concentration of the juices, with intense colors showing already at the end of the pre-fermentation maceration. The whites are more classic, also acidic but lower in alcohol.

It is therefore a very special vintage, which has been bottled, after a few logistical disorders (see our chapter about "dry products"), now unfortunately a rather common occurence whatever the sector. 

With a rather high alcohol content, the wines are not at all heavy, held by a firm acidity that highlights aromas of black fruits, rather characteristic of a cold vintage!

The combination of high maturity and acidity is the dream of the Burgundian winemaker. This is a rare but not exceptional phenomenon since the vintages 1990, 1999, 2015 and to a lesser extent 2005, 2009 and 2019 can be considered to meet this characteristic. But it reached an unprecedented high in 2020.

Given their concentration, these wines will need time, including for "entry-level". While they do seduce by their aromatics, in the mouth, they exhibit some tension, which leads us to say that keeping them for some time is a better option.

The personalities of the terroirs have emerged during aging and in this powerful vintage, we find the finesse of Chambolle, the distinction of Vosne, the structure of Nuits, the complexity of Clos Vougeot and Richebourg ... Patience will be required however, as these are serious, structured wines that do not want to be taken lightly. 

Paradoxically, this does not necessarily mean we'll see an aromatic closure in the bottle, given the strong acidity which should allow the freshness of the fruit to show for a long time. But evolution will be slow and certainly very profitable for these wines which will undoubtedly represent bottles of anthology in the decades to come!

WHITES

Bourgogne blanc

Nice nose, expressive and fresh: Citrus, grapefruit, bergamot; orchard fruit, apricot; white flowers. The aromas are intense and ripe. A slight hint of reduction that escapes after a few minutes of opening.
Palate: The attack is nervous, the acidity blends in perfectly with the richness of the wine. The aromas lean towards citrus fruits such as lemon and lime. An exotic hint of pineapple is revealed.

The finish is chiseled and the whole wine dynamic and fresh. To be consumed between 2023 and 2025

Hautes Côtes de Nuits Clos St Philibert

Nose: Mature and intense. Mineral note, with a solar profile. The aromatic notes show particularly exotic scents such as pineapple, but also quince and white honeysuckle flower.
Palate: The attack is comforting and offers a nice volume. Its tonicity on the finish gives it freshness and persistence. Some pretty bitters tones leave a salivating memory in the mouth.

Still needs integration between nose and mouth. Wait until 2025. Aging potential 8 to 10 years.

REDS

Bourgogne Côte d'Or « hémisphère sud »

Nose: Attractive but understated. The bouquet is focused on forest fruits. A slight varietal note, peppery and spicy. This discretion offers a refined nose, without exuberance.

Mouth: supple attack with firm tannins. Angular texture. The well-present acidity in the mid-palate energizes the tasting.

Less complex than its comrade "Etienne Camuzet" but nevertheless very coherent. His generosity makes him extremely accessible.

Very approachable when opened, it provides a subtle immediate pleasure. Aging potential between 5 and 6 years

Bourgogne Côte d'Or « hémisphère nord »

Nose: Directly intense with aromas of very ripe black fruits (blueberry, blackberry, black cherry). Very nice aromatic intensity.
Palate: Firm attack. The tannic structure is still young and a little strict, which gives it angles and structure. Its severity on the finish is noble. The tannins need to polish over time.

Very promising, it will seduce with its persistence and solidity. This one is made to get better with time. Be patient, it will show its full splendor after a few years in the bottle. Ideally not to be consumed before 2024. Aging potential 7 to 8 years.

Bourgogne Côte d'Or « Etienne Camuzet »

Nose: Bright! It offers a complex blend of red and black fruits of great maturity. Subtle notes of chocolate, vanilla and smoked tobacco.
Palate: Fresh and dynamic on the attack. The tannins are racy and delicate. The texture is silky. Beautiful vitality on the finish but still fiery.

The whole is harmonious with charming fruit aromas. Very seductive on the nose, the palate, on the other hand, still requires a patina. With two or three years in the bottle, it will express itself with great class. Aging potential 5 to 8 years.

Marsannay

Nose: Its profile currently is reserved. Despite everything, the bouquet remains delicate with black and spicy fruits.

Palate: Frank. The tannic structure is supple but remains austere. Items seem to not have found full embed links yet. Very promising despite everything by its fruit and its flesh. Tense on the finish, it seeks to flourish and must be solicited.

This one is still shy, it needs time. Wait until 2024. Aging potential 7 to 10 years.

Fixin

Nose: Very elegant, gifted with a nice intensity, with a floral tone and black fruits. Aromas of violet and lilac dominate. What a charm !

Palate: Nice fullness, caressing texture. The tannic expression is rounded, supple and stretched, the finish lively and joyful.

It is a wine that has all the elements to age well but what a delight already at the opening! Aging potential 7 to 8 years

Gevrey-Chambertin

Nose: Complex, with aromas of stone fruits, but also redcurrant and blueberry. Light vanilla and blond tobacco notes. Elevage is fully controlled.

Mouth: Frank and spherical. It offers an enveloping and refined texture. The finish is revived by a dominant acidity.

A distinguished, homogeneous and balanced wine. It will gain in complexity over time. All these assets will be delivered after 1 to 3 years at least. Aging potential 10 years.

Chambolle-Musigny

Relatively discreet but subtle nose. Scents of ripe black fruit. Slight smoky note. The wood is very well integrated.

The mouth, endowed with fine and silky tannins, offers an ample texture and is very attractive. Some acidity appears in the middle of the mouth and contribute to a fresh and tense finish.

Overall, it is a sophisticated wine but needs to gain in complexity. Still shy, it will reveal its secrets after 5 to 7 years in the bottle.

Nuits Saint Georges

Nose: Very beautiful aromatic expression. It seduces with its spicy and minty character. After a few minutes it exudes notes of scrubland and juniper berries. A subtly integrated woodiness gives it added complexity and intensity.

Palate: Caressing attack. It displays a voluminous texture, with rounded corners. The tannins are racy and sappy. Narrow finish. Its authority on the finish suggests a subtle bitterness and tone.

A Nuits-Saint-Georges that combines power and velvet. Approachable, it deserves aging for at least a year or two. Its solid base allows it a very good aging potential of 10 to 12 years. 

Vosne-Romanée

Intense nose with a spicy character of red and black fruits. Vanilla hint. Élevage, at this stage, wants to be dominant.

The palate is straight and subtle. The tannins are rounded and tight on the finish. This reinforces its structure and prolongs the finish.

It is a wine with a beautiful complexity but whose flavors still seem to be looking for each other. Its wood is noble but still needs to be integrated. This wine has plenty of time ahead of it. Keep 8 to 10 years.

Fixin 1er Cru Clos du Chapitre

The aromatic profile is intense. The nose suggests scents of black fruits, spices and leather. It is also gamey, with slight vegetal and liquorice notes.

The approach on the palate is sustained and firm. Beautiful freshness, there is indeed acidity. The mid-palate is sheathed and tense.

It is a charming wine, while being powerful and fiery. Also very homogeneous. Aging potential 8 to 10 years.

Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru les Feusselottes

Very pretty nose, which suggests sweet and intense aromas of black fruits, cloves, peony, all followed by a smoky note. Rather seductive, this type of wood gives it style.

The palate is spicy and structured, with a nice concentration. Its liveliness enhances the feeling of freshness. Long and subtle on the finish, it fully fulfills its role as Chambolle-Musigny 1er cru.

Very upbeat so far. Aging potential between 8 and 10 years

Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru les Cras

A still timid nose, where we can distinguish pretty fruits. The wood remains marked and needs to blend in.

It offers a lot of structure and amplitude in the mouth, with a supple finish.

Very typical "Chambolle" with its characteristic texture, it also shows a beautiful energy. Keep 7 to 9 years.

Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru les Fuées

Very beautiful aromatic expression: pretty fruits at first, then élevage takes over and gives way to scents of infused teas and very ripe black fruits. A hint of chocolate and smoke is revealed later.

The mouth is ample, its flesh enveloping. The tannins are patinated. Precise and juicy, it leaves a suave and gourmet memory on the finish. Here too, we recognize the framework of a Chambolle-Musigny.

Currently all seduction, aging is expected to provide it with additional complexity. Keep 7 to 8 years.

Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru les Charmes

Good intensity and concentration, with stewed black fruits and light vanilla and toasted notes. The oak is very well integrated and offers complexity and generosity.

Enticing in the beginning, with elegant tannins. The mouth is spherical and rich, with nevertheless nice spikes. Èlevage stretches out the long and complex finish.

Its profile has all the assets of a great wine. Keep 12 to 15 years.

Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru les Chaumes

A slightly shy nose at first, which gently opens on menthol, aniseed, vanilla and white pepper notes. Wood remains very present to this day.

In the mouth, the wine takes up space and envelops the palate. It asserts itself with its power and firm tannic structure. The ensemble is still sheathed and needs to relax. Its power offers it a long life ahead. 10 to 12 years old.

Nuits St Georges 1er Cru

The aromatic profile is fine and intense, very attractive: sweet aromas, of pastries and fresh figs. The élevage offers a seductive aspect.

The palate is lively and dynamic, with a good grip. Due to its acidity, the entry of the mouth is salivating, the middle with a lot of flesh. Subtle and enveloping finish.

Very coherent, concentrated and massive ensemble. Very good aging potential. 10 to 15 years old.

Nuits St Georges 1er Cru aux Argillas

A nose that first expresses stone fruits, then a hint of mint and chocolate. Nice smoky notes too. A well-integrated élevage!

Seductive and lively attack. Caressing texture. Good acidity. Racy and stretched tannins. A wine with a solid structure. Affordable despite its youth, it will gain in complexity as it ages.

Often austere and shy, to this day it wants to be rather seductive. The barrel gives it complexity and a slightly cocoa and sweet finish, which complements it well. Keep 6 to 8 years.

Nuits St Georges 1er Cru aux Murgers

The nose is immediately very flattering, demonstrative and fine. Very ripe fruits, such as blueberry and blackberry, mingle with wood aromas in a perfect integration and beautiful complexity.

The start in the mouth is juicy and crisp, the general architecture of the wine, straight and tapered. The tannins are melted, racy and make up a persistent and long finish.

Both complex and refined, it deserves our full attention. It is a high class wine, with a lacy texture. It stands out with its charming fruit and elegance. Already very open, it can be kept for 8 to 10 years.

Nuits St Georges 1er Cru aux Boudots

Fine and sophisticated, it stands out thanks to its complexity and aromatic intensity. The nose is very elegant and expresses a bouquet of sour cherry, vanilla, fresh leather and thyme. The wood fits in very well.

The palate is enveloping and comforting; also lively, with racy tannins. The texture offers a velvety feel. The amplitude of the wine coats our taste buds. The finish is long and of great refinement.

Élevage perfectly sublimates the wine.

Already very affordable, it can be kept for several years. 10 to 12 years.

WHITES

Corton Charlemagne

A heady nose, with its aromas of vine peach, acacia and plums. Subsequently, woody notes such as fresh almond and menthol are revealed; a hint of butter too.

The palate on approach is opulent and rich, with notes of pastry tamed by high quality acidity. It then refines, losing its fat slightly to bring out great mineral and saline depth on the finish.

Wine in the making. Let's be patient while it gains more intensity and volume. Can be kept for 6 to 8 years.

REDS

Charmes-Chambertin

Fine and bright nose. Delicious, it seduces with its aromas of concentrated black fruits, complemented by a still very present boisé (menthol, anise, spices, liquorice). A really charming and mature nose!

The mouthfeel is juicy and elegantly woody. It is a tasty wine, not imposing and made accessible by the finesse of its tannins.

Nevertheless more generous than usual, it offers an enveloping and comforting feeling. The finish is not yet related to the beginning of the wine but leaves a very digestible impression.

Drink now or keep for 8 to 10 years.

Clos de Vougeot

We are very seduced by this wine: the bouquet expresses itself with a lot of concentration. The fruit, of high quality, blends perfectly with the wood notes. Floral and empyreumatic aromas stand out subtly, complemented by roasted and finely toasted accents.

The beginning in the mouth is very elegant. The texture is caressing. The follow-up is dense, tapered and sapid. Very nice length on the finish, which does not yet deliver its full potential.

It is a frank and dynamic wine, whose virile structure and substance will be appreciated. A stunning Clos de Vougeot! And promised to a bright future. Can be kept for 12 to 15 years.

Corton Perrières

The nose is nicely perfumed, with candied and spicy fruits. Pure and concentrated, the wood is integrated and exudes scents of nougat, caramel, liquorice and star anise. Also, finely smoky notes, refreshed by a vegetal touch.

The mouth is straight, framed by precise tannins. Its texture is silky, offering a caressing and voluptuous sensation. Its freshness gives it a gourmet aspect. The élevage is not dominant and rightly underlines the structure of the wine. On the whole, a delicate wine with velvety fruit.

Certainly a great wine, which we are proud to present! it will still gain in finesse and complexity. Already very pleasant, it can be kept for a decade.

Corton La Vigne au Saint

A high definition nose. It delivers a character of stewed black fruits, roasted coffee beans, cocoa, liquorice, green pepper and cloves. Still a little dominated however, by quality élevage notes.

The mouth is deep but remains discreet. It is signed by a beautiful freshness, with sharp tannins. Still a little imposing and dense, this wine is not ready today but the nobility of its ageing, the quality of the tannins and its length promise it a great career in the cellar. 12 to 15 years old.

Corton Clos Rognet

Nose of great refinement, which evokes burlat cherry, crushed raspberry, violet and peony: an intense and complex aromatic expression. The wood is felt after a few minutes of opening and reveals notes of vanilla, fresh leather and nougat.

The palate is structured, with racy and firm tannins. It is enveloped by a velvety touch and a judicious breeding. The finish offers a feeling that is still sheathed and austere; powerful too, with a good acid perspective on a hint of smoke.

Long in the mouth, it is a wine that offers great aging potential: 15 to 20 years.

Échezeaux les Rouges du Bas

We are immediately seduced by its bouquet: black fruit cream, cherry and violet perfume the nose. A very well integrated oak also offers sweet notes.

The palate combines freshness, delicacy and concentration, with tight and sharp tannins. The finish is salivating.

Good energy overall. A promising wine, which approach however is quite easy. Aging potential of 10 to 12 years.

Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru aux Brulées

We can already distinguish on the nose a depth and a remarkable quality of fruit; accentuated by notes of grilled almonds, spices and anise brought by the élevage.

On the palate, a wine of extremes: depth, length, sapidity, breeding. Its imposing frame and sappy material prepare it for a long life.

In the end, it is a disconcerting wine, which is distinguished by its accessibility but also its diffuse power and its persistent and stretched finish. We reason that it has all the assets to age very well, but it is already so attractive now! Aging potential of 15 to 20 years.

Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru au Cros Parantoux

Beautiful maturity, a wine with distinguished fruit, whose character of intense black fruits such as blueberry is appreciated. The oak expresses itself with nobility and discretion.

The start in the mouth is luscious, salivating, smooth and of a beautiful liveliness. Fleshy and rich, it offers a voluminous and persistent ensemble, with a coating texture. The fruit returns in the end!

Rather approachable to date but not to its potential, it is advisable to keep it for another decade at least.

 

Richebourg

Charming at first glance, it seduces with a great purity of fruit, such as raspberry and strawberry. There is also a floral (rose petal) and minty side.

The palate offers a caressing and seductive texture, ample and with perfectly adjusted tannins. You will have to be patient for the ensemble to blend and reveal itself fully, but the balance, the dimension and the pleasure place it among the greats.

Aging potential 15 to 20 years