This is a great year to stock up on Premier and Grand Cru from the Côte de Beaune. 2014 Chablis is also worth a second look as the wines are classic but not generally austere.
Described by most producers as classic in style, the wines we tasted showed great balance across the region with ripe acids and tannins, making them a pleasure to drink even when young. Grapes achieved phenolic ripeness resulting in wines that are fresh and energetic, yet finessed and round.
Overall quantity is still lower than average. However, many producers in the Côte de Nuits are producing more than in 2013. Quantity is extremely variable in the Côte de Beaune as a June hailstorm destroyed between 10%-90% of the crop from Beaune to Meursault.
There is no consensus among producers, as it seems 2014 stands on its own in terms of the overall profile. The vintage comparisons that came up most often when asking producers were 2007, 2008 and 2011.
The acidity of the 2014s has been compared to the 2011 vintage and the ripeness of fruit to 2012. Overall the quality is said to be close to 2010.
What you should buy 2014 Burgundy wines:
Côte de Beaune Premier Cru and Grand Cru: Corton Charlemagne Grand Cru, Montrachet Grand Cru, Batard Montrachet Grand Cru, Bienvenues Batard Montrachet Grand Cru, Chevalier Monrachet Grand Cru, Meursault Premier Cru, Puligny Montrachet Premier Cru, Chassagne Montrachet Premier Cru, Saint-Aubin Dents de Chien.
Bonnes Mares was a stand-out in the red Grand Crus. Saint-Aubin is a treasure trove of great value whites. Morey-Saint-Denis our pick of villages for great value reds.
Growing season and harvest analysis:
The 2014 season started and finished strong. A warm and dry spring suggested an early harvest as vines were advanced by about two weeks. Flowering came early as dry, stable weather continued until a big hail storm on 28 June. This had an impact on vineyards from Beaune to Meursault and in some parts of the Côte de Nuits, reducing yields significantly for those affected. Thankfully, the Maconnais was spared any damage.
In July, there was rain which caused some berry swelling and a reduction in concentration. The rain also created the perfect environment for the Drosophila Suzuki, an Asian vinegar fly that can drill holes into berries and contaminate them with acetic bacteria. Aside from the Suzuki fly, overall grape health was very strong with minimal fungal disease or botrytis.
By late August, the fine weather returned and continued into September with the needed balance of warm days and cool nights to bring grapes to optimum levels of maturity.
Conditions remained warm and dry through to mid-September when most were finishing harvest.
What the Burgundians had to say:
“The 2014s remind me of 2007”, Chantal Tortochot, Domaine Tortochot
“One of the signatures of 2014 is energy from the ripe acids,” Henri Boillot, Domaine Henri Boillot
“2014 has the acid and fat of 2008 and the finesse and precision of 2010. I think it will turn out to be a great vintage." Henri Boillot, Domaine Henri Boillot
“The 2014 whites have noticeable bright fresh fruit and great acid because they are not as concentrated as 2012, the reds are a little more variable," Brian Sieve, Chef de Cave, Domaine De Montille
“2014 was a good vintage; my best up until 2015 came along," Philippe Pernot, Domaine Pernot-Belicard
“2014 was a classic vintage with a normal yield for us," Benoit Stehly, Domaine Georges Lignier
“Some are already talking about 2014 being a Bonnes Mares vintage," Jeremy Seysses, Domaine Dujac
