Beaujolais | 2020 vintage
The region experienced a very sunny year coupled with a lack of water. These weather conditions settled into place early in the winter, which was mild, as was the beginning of spring. The vines thrived early in April thanks to abundant sunshine throughout the month. Fortunately, the frosts did not cause any damage, and flowering followed unhindered in May.
While the beginning of June seemed to suggest a shift towards cooler and wetter weather, this quickly proved to not be the case. Rainfall patterns varied, benefiting some areas which were able to withstand the very hot and sunny summer with greater ease. The vineyards were put under severe strain by no fewer than three heat waves, especially as the few summer storms rarely provided sufficient water. 2020 saw the harvests begin on 20th August, earlier than the 2019 vintage, which were equally early.
Very different results were observed in the various parcels, although Gamay grapes reached high levels of ripeness everywhere. The high-altitude vineyards (Chiroubles, Côte de Brouilly), as well as the north-facing hillsides, mostly produced crisper, more elegant, and structured wines, generally characterised by notes of red fruit, as in Chénas. Wines from the south and the plains, such as Brouilly, Moulin-à-Vent, the Pierres Dorées, and from the foothills of Morgon, are highly coloured and complex.
The vinification process had a greater impact on the wines than a vintage submitted to more traditional weather patterns. The grapes’ high level of ripeness sometimes resulted in very extensive extractions which produced very concentrated and powerful wines.
As for the white wines, Chardonnays reached great maturity, while preserving a pleasant acidity at times, especially in the higher altitude terroirs. The Pierres Dorées white Beaujolais wines are therefore taut and mineral. Furthermore, the wealth of the vintage prompted some winemakers to adopt a rather unusual, full-bodied, and opulent style.
