The 2013 vintage was another nerve-racking one for Burgundy winegrowers. Diseases were present throughout the season, which began with an exceptionally cold and damp month of May, causing a very late harvest.

During the flowering in the second half of June, the unsettled weather brought about coulure and millerandage (small berries), and thus a harvest that was 20-25% smaller than usual. These small bunches, however, finally reached perfect ripeness in spite of the mixed summer weather, with the exception of July that was hot and sunny. They also made the grapes less sensitive to botrytis - which in the last stormy days before harvest might have wiped out the crop - and helped reduce the proportion of juice, which explains the deep colour of the wines, their natural concentration, without too much tannin, because the partial fertilisation reduced the number and the size of the pips.

The fact remains that 2013 is the latest year harvested at the estate since its takeover by JNM and is the only example of a harvest entirely carried out in October.

The late ripening in fairly cool temperatures made it possible to retain intense fruit aromas, the distinctive markers of each terroir, as well as a high level of acidity, the guarantee of long life. This acidity, however, is not so noticeable when the wines are tasted, thanks to the very soft tannins and the rich texture which diminish our perception of it. Alcoholic degrees are low (around 12,5), wines having been slightly chaptalized.

In the end, these wines have turned out to be a magnificent gift from nature. The first people to taste them all agree and stress the tightness, which was to be expected but also, and above all, the preciseness, the fruit, the openness and even the voluptuousness of all these cuvées. They bear witness to the unique character of our region of Burgundy, capable of fashioning wines which are both fresh, ripe and easy-drinking.

Marked by a cold season, harvested under disturbed conditions, characterized by strong acidity, an alcohol content limited to 12.5 but ... an interesting texture, 2013 was nevertheless classified among the "difficult" vintages.

How does it look today? These wines are in a paradoxical situation: the vintage has not closed like so many others at this stage of their development (the wines are generous or open up quickly, the aromas of fruit are present, none are really "undrinkable"), however they are generally not ready, being still very young, lively and structured.

Chambolle Musigny: 

the color has a trace of evolution, the nose is pretty, slightly candied but the fresh fruit comes back quickly. Lots of cherry as well as spicy and smoky aromas.
In the mouth, a nice roundness, a medium density, caressing with an acid finish but not too tannic.
Today still a bit angular, unsurprisingly because this wine is not one of the first to drink in the range of villages. We feel all the same that we are not far from the phase where we will be approachable.

Gevrey Chambertin: 

The color is a little more evolved and so is the nose.
Some wild notes but the mouth is quite harmonious and rather flattering.
Overall a more palatable wine that can be considered good to drink today.

Fixin Clos du Chapitre: 

Slightly evolved color.
A pretty fine nose, slightly smoky, very pleasant with its touch of greenness and its aromas of ripe cherries.
On the palate, roundness and precision, we do find the characteristics of this wine, that we like a lot. The slight stiffness on the finish reminds us that we are in 2013. But overall, there is a nice volume, the structure is balanced by a nice texture and a pleasant saline finish.
We can start drinking it, without urgency, it still has time ahead of it and will benefit from refining for a few more years.

Vosne Romanée: 

the color is deep and lively.
The nose is fresh and young with notes of black fruits, a small reduction adds complexity, the wood is more present than in the previous ones (normal, there is a greater proportion of new barrels).
In the mouth, we are in the presence of a beautiful volume and a rather fulfilled wine. The acidity is there on the finish, however, as is often the case with this wine.
All in all, a very beautiful bottle, almost opulent, in any case velvety but whose energy deserves a few more years of ageing.

Chambolle Cras: 

beautiful, slightly evolved color
The nose is a little less powerful than on the Vosne but very fine, with notes of red fruit, strawberry and cherry. Evolution has begun its work, without degrading the wine of course.
On the palate, an impression of verticality and a strong sensation of minerality on the finish. The length is impressive, smooth and delicate.
Perhaps a little less exuberant than the Vosne but a very nice complexity and a very rewarding tasting today with an endearing personality.

Vosne Chaumes: 

A beautiful deep color, with still black reflections.
A nose of black and red fruits, with a touch of reduction that takes a little time to dissipate.
The palate is beautiful and generous but we must recognize that the finish is still prominent, even a little harsh.
This wine is therefore more reserved and seems more difficult to approach, with more vegetal tannins. It seems undeveloped and quite reserved. Finally, it's quite typical of this period when the wines are supposed to be closed and not very generous. Of course, in these conditions, we have to wait.

Nuits Boudots: 

A beautiful deep and youthful color
A beautiful blooming nose, where you can smell raspberry and cherry, complemented by a hint of greenness in a beautiful complementarity.
On the palate, a very nice texture, with even power. The tannins are significant, the texture still grainy, yet everything is very well balanced.
It is a very generous wine but which still needs to be polished and which must be waited for, despite its overall very open side today.

Nuits Murgers: 

nice color with a very slight evolution.
On the nose, beautiful black fruits dominate despite a small reduction. The fruit is quite ripe.
In the mouth, a nice texture, fine, a little firm on the finish where a certain minerality is expressed.
A bit discreet today perhaps but it is slowly opening up. You have to go get it but it conquers with its elegance and finesse. This small lack of openness signals all the same that it would be better to wait.

Corton Perrières: 

beautiful shiny colour, with a hint of evolution.
On the nose, slight reduction at first sight. Notes of gunflint, woody, toasted. Then the fruit (mainly red fruits) reappears.
The entrance to the mouth is straight, strict, linear. A nice firm tannic finish, without being dry.
Everything is therefore very coherent, ends up opening up but obviously, the wine must wait, in order to properly integrate its acidity, present from the start.

Clos Vougeot: 

beautiful deep color, little developed
Very nice precise nose, where black cherry, peony stand out (there is often a floral note in Clos Vougeot) and a touch of caramel.
On the palate, a beautiful smoothness where one feels a high quality of tannins, the wine shows a lot of precision while being quite imposing. It ends on a slightly austere note.
It is a very open wine but not so evolved. You can find it to your liking (it has a little less tannins than the others) or prefer to wait, the latter option being the most advisable in our opinion. Even if on the table with a fish (and therefore 2 hours of opening), it went well...

Echezeaux: 

beautiful deep color, few traces of evolution.
A nice freshness of fruit, the wine is open despite a slight reduction. Concentrated black fruits dominate.
A very silky texture on the palate, all in finesse, the tannins are very coated, we finish with a marked acid point, which brings out a very primary fruit.
It is a wine that is ultimately quite accessible, balanced, with a pleasant tonic side. Exuberant in many ways, it deserves to wait to mature.
He, too, passed the table test pretty well...

Vosne Brulées: 

the color is deep and little developed
A spicy, liquorice, slightly reduced side, despite palpable red fruits, makes it less expressive than Echezeaux.
On the palate, quite discreet at the start but the wine develops, all in coherence and mineral expression.
Despite a good length and a very nice texture, the wine appears tense, a little closed compared to the others and in this phase of almost hibernation where you regret having opened the bottle...

Richebourg: 

beautiful deep color
Very nice ample nose, where one feels a nice diversity of red fruits and sweet and smoky notes. Despite a slight initial reduction, it quickly opens and fills the glass.
In the mouth, a lot of power and minerality. We feel a precise, homogeneous wine, already integrated with a good length. Complete and complex, aging will give it a touch of elegance that will make it memorable. In any case, it showed very well today and on the table, it was a pleasure... Even if we know that he can do even better...