2018

Our view on the 2018 vintage

Thanks to a humid spring and a perfect summer, the harvested crop from the 2018 warm vintage offers quantity and quality throughout France. In Bordeaux, the 2018 vintage is of great quality, though the weather has been somehow complicated leading to mildew propagation in some estates and chateaux - especially those producing organic and biodynamic wines. In Burgundy, winemakers and viticulturist were worrying about the hail. Finally, after an easy winter, a humid spring and a beautiful summer, the harvested grapes were of great quality and have given wonderful wines, often compared to the excellent 2009 vintage. Looking at 2018 white Burgundy wines, Pouilly Fuisse, Saint Romain and Beaune designations of origin are considered to be easily palatable whereas 2018 Meursault wines are deeper, more vibrant and generous. The wines from Corton Charlemagne and Batard Montrachet 2018 are exceptional. Focusing now on 2018 red Burgundy, the wines from Pommard and Savigny les Beaune are  more generous and approachable than the Auxey Duresses and Pernand Vergelesses wines. The Beaujolais region has also enjoyed great weather conditions, producing elegant and silky wines, with plenty of finesse. Same pattern in Champagne  where the harvest has never been earlier (and so, very healthy) than in 2018. 2018 Languedoc (South of France) and 2018 Loire valley  wines have been a bit affected by the mildew as well, however the volume produced are still very good (contrary to the very low yield of 2017) and the wines are globally very well-balanced.