Best Burgundy Vintages: Guide to Exceptional Wines

What are the best Burgundy vintages to discover?

Discovering the best Burgundy vintages means opening yourself to the secrets of an exceptional terroir. Whether you wish to enrich your cellar or experience a memorable tasting, certain Burgundy red wines and white wines represent essential landmarks. Each exceptional year shapes its own identity, influenced by weather, the winemaker's talent and the pure expression of the soil. This guide to iconic vintages accompanies you in your choices, whether you are looking for an aging wine or a bottle ready to savor.

To remember

The essential Burgundy vintages:

• Exceptional older vintages: 1945, 1959, 1962, 1966, 1978
• Very successful years 1980-1990: 1985, 1989, 1990, 1992, 1995, 1996, 1999
• Years 2000 to 2015 to remember: 2002, 2005, 2009, 2010, 2015
• Recent reference vintages: 2016, 2019, 2022

In Burgundy, vintages ending in 9 (1959, 1989, 1999, 2009, 2019) are renowned for being almost systematically successful.

What makes a great vintage in Burgundy?

A great vintage is born from an alchemy between climate and expertise. Clement weather, with just the right amount of sunshine and rain, guarantees optimal ripeness of the grapes. Years when maturation takes place under a luminous sky often offer expressive and concentrated wines.

Red Burgundy wines from these years present a deep, brilliant color. Their nose reveals complex aromas: cherry, morello cherry, sometimes truffle or forest notes after a few years of aging. On the palate, the structure is elegant, the tannins silky, the finish long and persistent. As for white Burgundies, they shine with their minerality, freshness and remarkable length, especially in exceptional years.

Legendary vintages: which years to remember?

Some years truly deserve the title of legendary vintages. They occupy a special place in any vintage ranking established by enthusiasts. Here are those that have made history, both for reds and whites.

There is no constant perfection: only a few vintages of the century exceed all expectations. Tasting a Clos Vougeot 1959 or a Meursault 2005 is experiencing a rare emotion. The estate's talent matters, but nature remains sovereign, even among the greatest producers.

Historic vintages before the 1980s

Among the best old vintages, these years dominate: 1945, 1959, 1962, 1966 and 1978. These mythical wines still maintain an unparalleled rating among collectors today.

The 1945 vintage offers concentrated and structured wines, with impressive aging capacity. Some estates still possess a few precious bottles. 

The 1959 vintage evokes opulence, intensity and balance: the red wines of this year retain rare energy. 

Finally, the vintages of 1962, 1966 and 1978 appeal with their finesse, freshness and aromatic complexity acquired over time, and are among the great successes of the century in Burgundy.

Golden years from the 1980s to 1990s

The vintages of the 1980s include several great vintages. 1985 and 1989 appeal to enthusiasts and connoisseurs alike thanks to their natural elegance, the perfect maturity of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, and a refined texture on the palate.

The early 1990s mark the arrival of wines of great depth. The 1990 vintage stands as a reference among modern vintage rankings, offering richness, balance and length on the palate.

To these major years are added 1992, delicate but successful at several attentive estates, 1995, appreciated for its harmonious structure, 1996, a true success in Pinot Noir, and 1999, a very consistent vintage that once again confirms that years ending in 9 are among the finest in Burgundy.

From 2000 to 2015: between evolution and confirmation

Since 2000, several exceptional vintages deserve their place in any guide to Burgundy vintages. The evolution of viticultural practices makes it possible to get the best out of each harvest, even in challenging years.

The 2000 vintage offers open and harmonious wines, easy to appreciate from their youth. The reds present melted tannins and bright red fruit aromas, while the whites are characterized by pleasant freshness, floral notes and well-balanced acidity. This vintage appeals with its readability and generosity, allowing immediate tasting without waiting for long years of aging.

The 2002 vintage stands out for its perfect balance between structure and finesse, as well as its remarkable aromatic precision. The reds reveal silky tannins, well-defined fruit and harmonious length on the palate, while the whites offer rare homogeneity, with a round texture and persistent mineral notes. This vintage demonstrates exemplary consistency, found from one estate to another, and confirms Burgundy's ability to produce elegant and reliable wines even in less spectacular years.

The 2005 vintage shines with its tannic structure and aging potential. The reds express the typicity of Pinot Noir, while the Chardonnays reveal beautiful energy and subtle aromas.

Focus on recent vintages

The 2009 vintage stands out for its generosity and bright fruitiness. The reds offer aromas of ripe fruit, cherry and morello cherry, supported by supple and elegant tannins. The white wines present beautiful roundness and aromatic maturity that is appealing from the opening. This sunny and charming vintage is particularly accessible young, while maintaining interesting aging potential for enthusiasts wishing to follow its evolution.

The 2010 vintage is recognized for its precision and remarkable structure. The reds are characterized by firm and silky tannins, balanced acidity and an architecture capable of lasting decades. The whites, lively and taut, offer beautiful minerality and exceptional length on the palate. This vintage demonstrates great rigor from the vineyard and outstanding aging potential.

In the last decade, the 2015 vintage stands out. This exceptional year gives birth to powerful, ripe red wines, accessible young, with a solid aging promise. The dense structure never sacrifices balance: the fruity aromas remain intense.

The 2016 vintage confirms Burgundy's recent excellence. The reds are intense and precise, with elegant fruitiness and fine tannins that ensure beautiful complexity. The whites stand out for their aromatic brilliance, their freshness and their length, offering very balanced and accessible wines from their youth. This year illustrates the consistency and growing mastery of Burgundian winemakers.

In 2019, climatic conditions produced concentrated, pure and highly aromatic wines. The reds present deep black fruits, a silky structure and a persistent finish. The whites reveal a remarkable balance between freshness and maturity, with floral notes and mineral tension that give them beautiful elegance. This 2019 vintage is already among the modern references to follow for both aging and immediate tasting.

The 2022 vintage impresses with its aromatic concentration and vivacity. The reds, fleshy and powerful, display supple tannins and great depth, while the whites are characterized by their freshness, precision and notable length on the palate. This year confirms the winemakers' ability to make the best of sometimes variable conditions, offering balanced and promising wines, both for immediate consumption and for aging.

Summary table of iconic vintages

How to choose a vintage according to the occasion?

The choice of a vintage depends on your preferences and the context. For a convivial meal, favor recent years such as 2015 or 2009, which appeal from the opening. To mark an event, choose a legendary vintage such as 1990 or 2005, ideal with a piece of meat or aged cheese.

Serving a bottle of 1959 for a milestone anniversary creates an unforgettable memory. Always consult the vintage ranking to verify a wine's aging potential, especially if you are building a cellar for the future.

Red wines for aging: 2005, 2010, 2015

White wines with rapid evolution: 2001, 2009

Rare bottles for unique events: 1945, 1959

Discoveries ready to drink: 2000, 1985

Frequently asked questions about the best Burgundy vintages

What is the vintage of the century in Burgundy?

1945 and 1959 are regularly cited among the vintages of the century in Burgundy. 1959 offers wines of remarkable depth and longevity, highly sought after by demanding enthusiasts.

1945: extreme concentration, highly sought after

1959: opulent, exceptional for reds and whites

What period should you choose to taste Burgundy red wines?

Red Burgundy wines from great vintages such as 2005, 2010 or 2015 can age for several decades before reaching their peak. Others, like 2000 or 1985, are best enjoyed now.

Young (less than 10 years): vibrant color, fresh fruits

At maturity (> 15 years): complex bouquet, silky texture

Which vintages should you favor for a cellar collection?

Choose years recognized for their solidity such as 2005, 2010 or 2015, which promise impressive aging potential, both for reds and structured whites.

For long-term aging

• Reds: 2005, 2010
• Whites: 2010, 2015

Is the vintage ranking the same for reds and whites?

No, certain years favor Chardonnay or Pinot Noir more. For example, 2010 delivers superb taut and precise whites, while 2009 shines with its ripe and indulgent reds. Consult the vintage guide to identify the specific nuances of each color.

Notable red years: 1985, 1990, 2005, 2015

Major white years: 2001, 2010, 2014