Burgundy (Cote d'Or) - 2005

Rich and ripe, the 2005s give much pleasure now.

A normal crop of healthy, perfectly ripe grapes were picked in ideal harvest conditions and have produced concentrated, beautifully-balanced wines of the highest quality.

Right from the presses the musts impressed with their purity and aromatic complexity and had an ideal acid/sugar balance, so virtually no chaptalisation was required. The wines are now developing fine aromas, are beautifully balanced on the palate, ripe yet fresh, and show an unusual concentration of fruit and an impressive structure. Most will be delicious throughout their lives. The best will keep very well and develop with cellaring.

The weather conditions throughout the year were close to ideal. 2005 was a year of normal temperatures and sunshine hours, but significantly less rain than average. The dryness meant there were no serious fungal diseases and the grapes were concentrated, healthy and ripe. The flowering began a week or so earlier than in 2004, at the beginning of June. In the Côte D’Or and Chablis the first part of the flowering in the premiers and grands crus vineyards took place in cool weather. This led to significant coulure (grapes which develop but then fall off) and millerandage (where the grapes do not fully develop in size). Both are beneficial for quality. July and August were very dry with temperatures just below average which enabled the grapes to ripen without losing acidity.

The critical harvest month of September was superb, considerably drier and warmer than normal. The grapes had thick yellow to gold skins, ripe pips and were healthy. The weather was stable, so the producers could pick their optimum moment to harvest.