2002 red Burgundy
keep
Fine tannins, ripe fruit and excellent balance
Weather Conditions
A cool May retarded the flowering, but that took place in good conditions. July and August were dry and warm, but not too hot, and thankfully there were no violent storms. By the beginning of September, thanks to the drought, development had become somewhat blocked, but this seemed to be less of a problem with the Pinots than in the Chardonnays. Then there was rain. This did no harm except in Ladoix where it was somewhat excessive, reducing the concentration of the Cortons and such Corton-Charlemagnes as come from this side of the hill. This was followed by fine weather: clear skies with a cool north wind. The harvest began in the Côte d’Or on September 15 and was all over by the 1st of October, after which the weather deteriorated, affecting the quality of the later-picked Hautes Côtes. The crop was 5.5 percent less than the five-year average.
Best Appellations
BEAUJOLAIS A splendid Beaujolais vintage: the wines are fullish, crammed with fruit and have very good balance. The crus are only just beginning to come round. They can safely be held for three or four years. CÔTE CHALONNAISE The main danger here in 2002 was over-cropping. The best producers green-harvested after de-budding and confined their yields to 45 hl/ha or so. These have made delicious, intensely-flavoured expressions of the Pinot Noir, medium to medium-full bodied, with good acidities. Keep these until 2007. CÔTE DE BEAUNE Consistent across the board, with the single exception of Ladoix (but even here the Prince de Mérode has made some lovely Cortons), the 2002s will give a lot of pleasure. The fruit is pure, refreshing, elegant and delicious; tannins are ripe; the wines have medium to medium-full body. Drink the vintage wines from 2007/2008, the premiers crus from 2009/2010, Cortons from 2012. CÔTE DE NUITS As above: delicious and consistent. As usual the wines are bigger and more black-fruity than the Côte de Beaunes. The top wines are also more concentrated. Start consuming your village wines and premiers crus from 2010; grands crus should be kept to 2015.
Best Producers
BEAUJOLAIS: Dom. Aucoeur, Morgon; Château de Bellevue, Morgon (Jadot); Patrick Bouland, Morgon; André Collange, Fleurie; Thierry Descombes, Juliénas; Dom. Desperrier, Moulin à Vent; Bernard Douzel, Morgon; Jean Foillard, Morgon; Dom. Franchet, Côte de Brouilly; Château des Jacques, Moulin à Vent (Jadot); Château de Juliénas/MM Condemine; Hubert Lapierre, Chenas and Moulin à Vent; Dom. de la Madone, Fleurie; Jean-Pierre Margerand, Château de Moulin à Vent; Juliénas; Michel Tête, Juliénas; Joseph Pellerin, Fleurie; Domaine du Petit Puits/Gilles Méziat, Chiroubles; Olivier Rabier, Fleurie; Chateau de Raousset, Chiroubles; Château Thivin, Brouilly; Plus the estate selections of Georges Duboeuf, Paul Beaudet, Loron and Mommessin.
CÔTE CHALONNAISE
René Bourgeon; Luc Brintet; Faiveley; Jacquesson; Joblot; Michel Juillot; Bruno Lorenzon; François Lumpp; Rodet, François Racquillet; Clos Salomon.
CÔTE DE BEAUNE
Marquis d’Angerville; Comte Armand; Roger Belland; Billard-Gonnet; Simon Bize; Jean Boillot; Château de Chorey; Coste-Caumartin; Jean-Marc Giboulot; Lucien Jacob; Michel Lafarge; Lucien Muzard; René Lequin-Colin; Jean-Marc Pavelot; Aleth Le Royer-Girardin; Plus the selections of Bouchard Père & Fils; Chanson, Vincent Girardin; Jadot and Nicolas Potel.
CÔTE DE NUITS
Arlaud Père & Fils; Denis Bachelet; Ghislaine Barthod; Sylvain Cathiard; Jean Chauvenet; Robert Chevillon; Claude Dugat; Bernard Dugat-Py; René Engel; Faiveley; Fourrier; Gouges; Jean Grivot; Robert Groffier, Anne Gros; Michel Gros; Gros Frère & Soeur; Alain Hudelot-Noëllat; Clos des Lambrays; Liger-Belair; Hubert Lignier; Méo-Camuzet; Alain Michelot; Dr. Georges Mugneret; J.F. Mugnier; Dom. Roumier; Armand Rousseau, Clos de Tart and De Vogüé. Plus the selections of Joseph Drouhin, Louis Jadot and Nicolas Potel.
