Thanks to careful selection and hard work in the vineyards, Burgundy-lovers will be pleased to hear that 2013 has exceeded expectations. Early reports suggest that the vintage has produced some superb whites and good-to-excellent reds, despite the challenges of poor flowering, constant disease pressure and hail. Most of the 2013s are fleshy, soft and best suited to early drinking.
‘Qualitatively speaking I would suggest that Chablis performed the best followed by the Côte Chalonnaise and finally in third place the Mâconnais,’ says Burgundy expert Allen Meadows (of Burghound.com). ‘For red wines some 2013s are interesting in that the wines mirror the whites with their succulent and round flavors that in some cases are more interesting than their 2012 counterparts.’
Wine Cellar will offer the best expressions of the vintage later in the year. In the meantime, take a look at our current Burgundy selection on Winecellar.co.za.