In this guide, the team at Hedonism Wines explore some of the top vintages for Red and White Burgundy, as well as the role that critics’ scores have to play.
To discover more about the world of Burgundy wines, peruse our Guide to the Key Appellations of Burgundy or hear from the producers themselves such as in our interview with Domaine Louis Jadot's Pierre-Henry Gagey.
The Oxford Companion to Wine defines a ‘vintage year’ as ‘the year in which a wine was produced and the characteristics of that year. Most, but not all of its characteristics result from particular weather conditions experienced.'
What is a Vintage Chart?
A vintage chart is a visual way of mapping out a region and its vintages in a grid to show the quality ratings for each year. These charts may also include guidance as to whether to drink or age the wines further, with categories such as ‘Drink now’, ‘Drink or keep’, ‘Keep’ and ‘To lay down’. Key examples include the yearly chart produced by The International Wine & Food Society or the Robert Parker Wine Advocate Vintage Chart.
It is worth noting that some wine experts deem such charts too simplistic, believing it better to follow the dictates of palate and occasion when choosing the ‘best’ wine.
What are critics’ points scores?
Key examples of critics’ scores include Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate, Jasper Morris and Jancis Robinson to name but a few. These scores and reviews can help determine the quality of that particular vintage and the age-ability of the wines. Traditionally scores are marked out of 100, although this can differ according to the critic, with some marking out of 20 for example.
What are the best Burgundy vintages?
Despite being a notoriously difficult question to answer, given that there can be so much variation between key areas (Chablis, Côte d’Or, Côte Chalonnaise, Mâconnais, Beaujolais), producers and properties, certain years are widely considered ‘excellent vintages’ on a regional level.
Jasper Morris MW explains, “The nature of the vintage has an effect on the flavours of the wine to a certain extent, at least insofar as they might be described as black-fruit or red-fruit years for the reds, or where the whites might sit on the scale from mineral or saline, to use recent buzz words, through to a more lusciously opulent style.”
| Year | Notes | Red Burgundy Score | White Burgundy Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | One of the all time greatest vintages in modern times. A mild winter followed by a cool, wet spring set a favorable stage, while summer brought optimal conditions, promoting excellent ripening. Red Burgundies are rich, with enduring complexity. White Burgundies, though overshadowed, offer a harmonious balance, showcasing the vintage's remarkable expression. | 10 | 8 |
| 1991 | The 1991 Burgundy vintage saw good, albeit slightly austere, red wines with high sugar levels, despite severe April frosts and hailstorms in June and August reducing yields. White wines were mixed - the best were fruity and attractive, and there was a tendency for Chablis to be lean and unstructured due to the adverse weather. Particularly noteworthy were some wines from the Côtes de Nuits region that ripened before rain, deemed excellent. | 7 | 6 |
| 1992 | Characterised by a mild winter and spring, but heavy June rain. Reds were largely light with little tannic backbone, suited for early drinking, while whites were extremely attractive. The adverse weather resulted in soft, tender wines, with some fine, well-balanced reds suitable for medium-term enjoyment. | 6.5 | 7.5 |
| 1993 | Notable for its warm and wet spring conditions, with hail in May impacting the vineyards. Despite this, red Burgundies emerged rich, concentrated, and well-structured, benefiting from a hot August that allowed the Pinot Noir grapes to develop healthy, thick skins before rains in mid-September. The white Burgundies, initially acidic, matured into taut and elegant wines. Overall, the 1993 vintage was a great success but fell short of being legendary, | 9 | 8 |
| 1994 | The 1994 Burgundy vintage faced a frosty winter, followed by a hot, dry summer. However, weather deteriorated in late August with more rain in September, leading to uneven wine quality. Red wines generally lacked charm and structure. Despite initial high expectations, the vintage was modest, affected negatively by mid-September rains and subsequent rot. | 4 | 7.5 |
| 1995 | Despite tricky weather and a small harvest due to poor spring conditions, 1995 yielded excellent wines. A hot, dry summer followed a damp spring, aiding quality. Reds, especially from Cote de Nuits, exhibited good structure and firm tannins, while both red and white wines had good acidity and concentration, bouncing back from a series of disappointing vintages. | 8 | 8 |
| 1996 | Another good year, 1996 was generally characterised by high acidity in both reds and whites, with a warm spring promoting early flowering, followed by a cool summer. Despite the coolness, late August and September saw favorable warm temperatures aiding grape ripening. The red wines were pure and elegant, while the white wines were notably ripe and aromatic. | 9 | 8 |
| 1997 | 1997 saw early, uneven flowering due to challenging initial weather, but hot, stormy August and early September rain only caused manageable rot. Reds were ripe and fruity, lacking some structure and acidity, deemed good for short to medium-term enjoyment. Despite these challenges, the vintage was considered a 'classic' at the time by critics. | 7.5 | 8 |
| 1998 | A difficult growing season with warm, dry, but mostly overcast summer conditions. Despite the challenges, the vintage quality was solid, with the wines now ready to drink. The red wines, while not all were impressive, the finest exhibited good structure. The white wines, on the other hand, were described as quite fat with relatively low acidity, but the Chablis from top sites turned out rich and powerful. | 8 | 5.5 |
| 1999 | A superb vintage, marked by a warm summer and favorable ripening conditions, yielded excellent red and white wines. While reds were celebrated for their powerful acidity and elegant ripeness, whites faced some issues with premature oxidation. The vintage was generous, producing fruity, appealing or well-structured, and fleshy wines. | 9 | 8 |
| 2000 | The 2000 Burgundy vintage, noted for its fine white wines, especially from Côte de Beaune, was good but not exceptional. While reds from Cotes de Nuits fared better, Cotes de Beaune faced harvest challenges due to September storms. Reds lasted well, but the vintage really shone for its white wines. |
7 |
9 |
| 2001 | A cool, wet spring led to uneven ripeness at harvest in 2001. April frosts and June's cool weather contributed to uneven flowering. Red Burgundies were intensely fruity, showing clear terroir distinction, while white Burgundies faced challenges from July's cold, wet weather and an early August hailstorm, impacting the overall vintage quality. | 7.5 | 7 |
| 2002 | 2002 was marked by a dry, sunny September after a cool start, yielded delicate, refined reds considered the best since 1999, and fine, crisp whites. Both red and white wines showcased ripe, balanced, and expressive fruit characteristics, reflecting well on the vintage's quality, making it a stand-out year and the first great vintage of the 2000s. | 9 | 8.5 |
| 2003 | 2003 was marked by a ferocious summer heatwave, with 15 consecutive days in August exceeding 40°C, leading to an exceptionally early harvest on August 18. This "freak vintage" yielded lesser quantities, with white wines often seen as heavy and lacking acidity, contrasting a typical Burgundy vintage. | 8 | 6.5 |
| 2004 | 2004 started well with a warm spring but experienced a cold snap in June - as a result, the white wines showed firm to racy acidity, deemed good but not great. Red wines showed more geographical definition than the previous vintage. An oidium outbreak affected white Burgundy, while vines compensated for 2003's low yields. | 5.5 | 7 |
| 2005 | Favorable weather conditions made 2005 one of the greatest years on the new millennium. Reds from Côte de Beaune and Cote de Nuits were lauded for richness and smooth texture while retaining freshness and elegance. Dubbed as a monumental year, the vintage experienced minimal issues, making it a standout year in Burgundy, showcasing exceptional terroir expression in both red and white wines. | 10 | 8 |
| 2006 | Following an extraordinary 2005, was marked by a cool, damp spring delaying budburst and flowering. Described as a classic, drinker's vintage, it produced lightish, elegant, and fresh wines, with whites being notably pleasing. Despite modest expectations, some reds and Chardonnays showed potential. The vintage's wines were expected to be expensive, possibly more than the acclaimed 2005 vintage. | 7 | 8 |
| 2007 | A warm April and dry September bookended a cool damp summer in 2007. The red wines were fragrant with light tannins, rated 3/5 on the Côte d'Or red scale, suggesting earlier drinking. White wines had high acid levels, with the vintage described as "good" and wines being ready to drink. | 6 | 7 |
| 2008 | 2008 was marked by cool, damp conditions, which saw white wines from Côte d'Or benefiting from a brisk North wind in September, concentrating both sugar and acidity. Despite initial challenges, timely dry, sunny weather and winemakers' adaptability led to very good wines exhibiting rich, exotic fruit and spice. | 7 | 7 |
| 2009 | A return to form, 2009 was marked by favorable weather and yielded exceptionally good wines with especially ripe, fleshy reds from Côte d'Or, though low acidity raised aging concerns. The vintage's allure led to quick sell-outs among UK merchants for sought-after wines, yet delicious options remained from less famous producers and humbly ranked vineyards. | 9 | 8 |
| 2010 | The 2010 Burgundy vintage, marked by a warm September following uncertain weather, yielded balanced, graceful wines with more red fruit flavors. Red wines from Côte d'Or were rated highly, showcasing vivid fruit, freshness, and supple tannins. Despite less fanfare compared to 2009, the vintage is appreciated for its cool-climate characteristics. | 9 | 8 |
| 2011 | The vintage faced early weather challenges but yielded surprisingly well-balanced wines. Initially expected to disappoint due to summer rain, the vintage turned out elegant, early-drinking wines. Reds were aromatic and fresh, while whites were expressive. The wines, ripe and fruit-forward, were praised for their charm and accessibility despite lacking the depth of other vintages. | 7.5 | 7 |
| 2012 | The 2012 Burgundy vintage faced a wet spring but was saved by a very fine September. Though hailstorms reduced Chardonnay yields, the small crop exhibited extraordinary concentration. Both reds and whites were highly rated by critics and are set to age gracefully - a good vintage, despite the challenges. | 9 | 9 |
| 2013 | A tough year where growers faced cold, wet conditions, delaying budburst and flowering. Despite challenges, rigorous vineyard management yielded some exceptional red wines, while whites were less promising. Top producers succeeded in crafting lovely wines, yet quality varied greatly among lesser producers, making careful selection crucial. | 7 | 6.5 |
| 2014 | Hailstorms in June had growers worried, but a long, warm September set the stage for a superb vintage, yielding lean, light, refined reds. The whites eclipsed the reds on this occasion, marked by a distinct ripeness, and juiciness. The warm, dry conditions that ensued helped recover the vines to some extent, delivering a particularly excellent vintage for white wines. | 8 | 10 |
| 2015 | Particularly celebrated for its red wines, 2015 was frequently likened to the outstanding vintages of 2002, 2005, and 2010. Pinot Noir and Chardonnay both performed well and the wines are marked by balance and finesse. Time will tell on the reds, but whites are drinking well now at Villages and Premier Cru level. | 8.5 | 8 |
| 2016 | Severe spring frost, hail, and mildew, led to low yields in 2016, especially affecting Côte d’Or and Chablis. Despite challenges, the vintage was noted for potentially high quality in both Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. White Burgundy stood out for its aromatic purity of fruit, reflecting a silver lining in a tough season. One to watch. | 9 | 7.5 |
| 2017 | Described by one prominent critic as a "pleasant surprise," 2017 offered both red and white wines that were drinkable, and enjoyable from the get go. The conditions were more favorable than the previous year, with red wines noted for supple tannins and sweet fruit, while white wines were praised for their focus, freshness, and minerality, showcasing a particularly good year for white wines | 8.5 | 9 |
| 2018 | Labelled by some as the "Heatwave Year," 2018 was one of the warmest and driest in recent memory, akin to 2003, offering both quality and quantity, albeit in a riper style. The red wines, especially Grand Cru, showcased excellent color and concentration, while the weather pattern, reflecting an increasingly common trend of warm, early harvests, hinted at broader global warming impacts. | 8 | 7.5 |
| 2019 | 2019 was highly acclaimed for its ripeness. The wines were marked by bold aromas, balanced acidity, and fine structure - particularly shining in red wines with their complexity and rich fruit-forward character. Despite reduced yields due to an early frost, the enduring fruit showcased exceptional quality, making it a notable vintage embraced with enthusiasm by both winemakers and critics. | 9 | 8 |
| 2020 | The 2020 Burgundy vintage saw variable weather, marked by early warmth, a dry summer, and late-season rain. Despite concerns, careful harvesting resulted in wines with vibrant acidity, well-defined fruit flavors, and structured tannins for reds, while whites displayed crisp acidity and minerality. While yields varied, the vintage is expected to age gracefully, drawing comparisons to the elegant 2010 and 2014 vintages. Overall, Burgundy's 2020 vintage promises wines of quality and potential for collectors and enthusiasts. | 9 | 9 |