How was 2018 and 2019 for white Burgundy?

[DavidG]

Time to reload on a few white Burgs, and it looks like 2018 and 2019 are what’s available locally. Any signature vintage characteristics? How do these vintages compare to each other and to recent greats like 2014?

[Blanquito]

You may have seen this already, but just in case: https://www.wineberserkers.com/forum/vi ... 9#p3253039

I’ve not had any 2019’s yet, but the 2018’s I’ve had generally have been ripe to very ripe, showing much more Bartlett pear and even tropical notes than I prefer. But I have tried a brace of more inexpensive ones ($25-$33), mostly from Pouilly Fuisse and Maconnaise, that Gilman scored 92-94 pts and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed them. I bought more after trying. Most showed better balance on day 2 FWIW.

Three I especially recommend for the price:
2018 Pascal Bonhomme Viré-Clessé Vieilles Vignes
2018 Guerrin et Fils Pouilly-Fuissé La Maréchaude
2018 Jacques Saumaize St-Véran Poncetys

They definitely scratch the French chardonnay itch, but without the refinement and detail that the $75-$100+ white burgs deliver. Would love to try these from, say, 2014 or 2017, but irrespective these are quite nice in 2018.

[JCNorthway]

You might also look at Chablis in 2018. They are not a "classical" profile because they are riper. But I think you can get a decent representation of a regular white Burg with a relatively less costly Chablis.

[jal]

I have had better luck than Patrick with 2018 White Burgundies, a lot less ripe than the 2015s, true, less focused and angular than 2017 but the ones I had were really nice. Jacques Carillon Puligny Village, Puligny 1er Referts, also I tried some beautiful Chablis from Fevre, Louis Michel and billaud Simon.

[Blanquito]

I have had better luck than Patrick with 2018 White Burgundies, a lot less ripe than the 2015s, true, less focused and angular than 2017 but the ones I had were really nice. Jacques Carillon Puligny Village, Puligny 1er Referts, also I tried some beautiful Chablis from Fevre, Louis Michel and billaud Simon.

I trust Jacques.

[DavidG]

I really liked the 2017 Jacques Carillon Puligny Villages and will grab a few of the 2018s. And maybe some 2018 Bouchard Meursault Perrières.

[Claudius2]

David
My view of the few 18’s I’ve tried is that it is a riper year befitting the warmer weather, arguably closer to 2015 though like in most vintages there will of course be differences across villages and producers. I was hoping to try the 2018 Remoissenet wines last year but alas COVID crashed the party. However notes from the Aussie I used to import with before moving here was impressed with their balance and rated them above 2015. Having said that the 15’s are still very good but in a different style to 14 though on their own they are rich and tasty. 2015 is a top red vintage and better than 2014 when tasted side by side.

2014 is a great white vintage and one of the best I have seen. Even the lesser wines are very good with minerality and length matched to balanced fruit. I have drunk quite a few of them (I bought a bulk shipment) and I love this vintage.

I rate 2017 whites well with good minerality but they are not as balanced as 2014. However I’d grab 17s at good prices if you see them and they should last well. 2016 seems to have slipped under the radar given the quality of Bordeaux in that vintage but I have found the reds to be very good and the whites maybe a little behind the reds but also very good. Maybe a cross between 14 and 15.

I read Neal Martin’s BurgReport and he rates 2019 very well, above 2018 for reds and whites and more even in quality for both though particularly reds.

[DavidG]

Thanks Mark. I share your assessment of 2014 and 2017 - those are the two most recent years in the cellar.

[Blanquito]

I really dig the 2017s but when I went back to get more, most everything was sold out already. I think my feelings about the 18s reflect this to a degree — for my mileage, they’re no 2017 but I wanted it to be. But I like the 18s much better than the 15s I’ve tried and I’m sure the higher end 18s, like the J Carillon, did better than most of what I’ve tried (whereas 2017 seems great across the board, even at the QPR end).

[jal]

Try the Buisson Charles Meursaults by Patrick Essa. The 2017 were very nice, the 2018 got good reviews.
I liked the village ones in 2017 ; Vieilles Vignes and Tessons

[s*d*r]

FLAME ALERT

Is all white Burgundy better than all California Chardonnay ?

[Claudius2]

Stu
Happy to answer that question if you just oblige by sending two bottles (in case one is corked or randoxed) of all of both!
I have limited experience with Calif wines per se other than a handful of Cabs, thus assume I am a complete novice on the topic and I'll rate them all and post notes here.
cheers
Mark