Bordeaux | 2010 vintage
Unlike in 2009, nothing was a foregone conclusion in 2010 right across the Burgundy appellations. The summer was not really very hot, but the fine late autumn period in September and October ensured that grapes reached peak ripeness. Flowering issues leading to coulure and millerandage meant that yields were naturally low, with thick-skinned grapes and concentrated juice. Wines are less heavy than many in 2009, and are ripe, concentrated and fresh. This balance makes them very easy-drinking and straightforward to pair with food.
2010 is therefore a great vintage both for whites and reds. Saved at the last minute by a small harvest (half the volume of a normal year), it delivers very taut texture, plenty of dry extract and marked acidity, which will keep wines young and fresh. The small number of clusters per vine and their excellent concentration even made it possible to achieve better ripeness than in certain exceptional years.
It is also a vintage in which each terroir can express itself and every wine reflects its origins. Terroir is more important than vintage, which was not really the case in 2009. Overall, red and white wines are extremely concentrated due to low yields. Producers who usually achieve 35 hl/ha dropped to 28 hl/ha. This small harvest was not due to disease and there was no stringent selection unlike in 2011, when up to 20% of grapes were rejected. Spring was relatively dull and in spite of the sun, the yield was meagre.
Lastly, the quality of the vintage is similar in Côte de Beaune and Côte de Nuits. Whites from the Côte Chalonnaise are also concentrated, with good acidity in this instance, which bodes well for ageing. In the Chassagne area, there was good concentration once again; wines truly stand out and will age very well. Aromatic expressions are also exactly as they should be. Puligny experienced a similar or even greater success and Meursaults were extremely promising when they made their appearance. As for Chablis, everyone agrees that 2010 is the best vintage in the last twenty years!
