Vintage report 2021

The Return to "Classicism" (and Heartbreak)

After three warm years, 2021 was a violent return to the Burgundy of the 1980s. A catastrophic April frost wiped out up to 80% of the crop in some areas, followed by a cool, wet summer that required constant vigilance against mildew.

 * The Profile: This is a "terroir" vintage. The alcohols are lower (often 12.5–13%), and the wines are defined by transparency, high acidity, and floral aromatics. The reds are crunchy and red-fruited (cranberry, pomegranate), while the whites are chiseled, saline, and electric.

 * Regional Note: The Côte de Beaune whites were hit hardest by frost, making them incredibly rare. The Côte de Nuits reds are delicate and "pretty," offering a refreshing alternative to the heavy-hitting solar vintages, though they lack the density of 2020.