The opportunity to open a vintage: question of the most difficult, as the rule changes according to the domain, the appellation and especially your tastes. But nothing prevents you from presenting a few trends to guide your choices.
2021: Still a very recent vintage, so much so that some long-aged cuvées are not yet in bottle. So to keep of course, even if this year, known for its freshness more than for its concentration, will very quickly be suitable for tasting, especially the reds.
2020: The great aging vintage par excellence. At the same time powerful, lively and tannic, the whites like the reds are made to flourish in the cellar. A test of patience because, apart from a few great terroirs, many 2020s are already good today.
2019: The gourmet vintage par excellence, which charms with its aromas of ripe fruit and generous textures, sometimes with a hint of sweetness. The wines were opened very quickly, and we can expect an average aging potential. The renowned terroirs will take a few more years to reach their peak, the regional appellations and certain villages are to be appreciated now.
2018: This warm and generous vintage is difficult to apprehend. Very fond in its beginnings, it “closed” a little after 2-3 years in the cellar, to become open again today. It is time to drink the cuvées not cut for laying down. The others enter a period that leaves us the choice between opening and keeping.
2017: Rather supple and fresh, the 2017s do not have infinite potential and are generally to be opened now. With the exception of estates that have applied yield restrictions, in red in particular.
2016: High concentration due to hail which reduced yields. Of recent vintages, this is the one that has taken the longest to open, it was still “closed” not long ago. You can still wait.
2015: A fiery vintage, full of tannic power and aromatic concentration. Of course, after 8 years, it’s time to enjoy it. But by waiting, you take no risk, apart from improving these cuvées.
2014: A medium-ageing vintage that is approaching the 9-year mark: it’s time to pull out the corkscrew! Except for a few very large appellations of course.
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