2020

Following particularly mild conditions this fall and winter, the first signs of renewed plant growth were observed as early as the end of February. The mild weather in March confirmed that this will definitely be an early vintage.

In mid-April, we observed exceptional growth linked to maximum temperatures worthy of June and very generous sunshine. At our BEAUREPAIRE vineyard, we noted up to 5 or 6 leaves spread out on the Pinot Noir vines, while the Chardonnay vines seemed to be lagging behind. Across the entire estate, we observed very significant heterogeneity in vine development. This great diversity would be the defining feature of this vintage.

Simon is taking advantage of the very favorable weather conditions to conduct his first trials with a prototype electric straddle tractor. This is unprecedented in the wine-growing region! Three weeks ahead of schedule, we are starting to remove the excess buds. Simon has managed to put together a small team of 5/6 people, following the unavailability of our Polish workers. Organizing the work is not easy with the constraints of the coronavirus!

At the end of April, 2020 ranks among the earliest years ever recorded. According to agricultural warnings, this level of precocity has only been noted six times in 80 years: 2011, 2007, 1997, 1981, 1974, and 1961. In terms of water supply, despite the absence of rain since the end of March, many soils are still moist below 15 cm and there is no sign of water stress yet. However, once the vines have developed 5-6 leaves, they gradually switch from feeding solely on their reserves to photosynthetic activity that is more dependent on water and minerals.

Tuesday, May 19: First sighting of vine blossoms in our Puligny Pinot Noir vines!

A drop in temperatures during the first half of June led to coulure, particularly on Chardonnay vines. With temperatures rising again, the first green berries appeared in early July. By mid-July, we began to see the effects of the lack of water on veraison, which slowed down the process, but above all, we saw the onset of sunburn on the bunches from early August onwards.

There is lively debate about the harvest dates, with widely differing opinions: some say it should start on August 15, while others say it should wait until August 25/27. These differing views stem from the wide variety of situations: some heavily laden vines, in a favorable climate, need to wait to reach the minimum degree. Other vines yielding 35-40 hectoliters per hectare will be ready for harvesting immediately after August 15.

Simon and I have set the start of the harvest for Wednesday, August 19. We had initially planned to begin on Tuesday, August 25, but the recent heatwave has caused our Pinot Noir grapes to ripen very quickly. To preserve their freshness and elegance, we will start earlier than planned. We also had to take into account the sunburn that was particularly prevalent in Aloxe-Corton and Ladoix, which deprived us of 15 to 20% of the harvest in these appellations. The phenomenon is less pronounced in Santenay and Chassagne-Montrachet.

On Wednesday morning, our team is complete, composed as it has been every year for the past four or five years of 90% Polish workers, some of whom have been coming for several years. This year, there are 34 of us cutters, which will allow us to cut the 16.5 hectares in 11 days with shorter days due to the intense heat! Due to COVID-19, Yvette and her team of cooks have had to use their imagination to serve up to 50 people while respecting social distancing measures: setting up a self-service system, an open-air dining area on the castle terrace and, of course, mandatory use of hand sanitizer.

We would like to mention the presence of our son Boris, a resident of Montreuil and sound engineer by trade, who was able to take time off to participate in the harvest. From the vineyards, as a substitute porter, to the winery and the picking, everyone appreciated his good humor and great sense of humor!
Our entire team stopped work on the afternoon of Saturday, August 29, but the harvest was not quite finished! Gourmet Odyssey's customers finished the last plot of the Clos des Cornières (the Parc) on Sunday, August 30, under variable skies, but without rain and with ideal temperatures. By cocktail hour, the 2020 harvest was truly over!

The 2020 vintage will certainly go down in history as the year of the coronavirus, with its restrictions, work stoppages, and health requirements. A wine produced in such conditions that some might call it a “war vintage.” But for me, as a new grandfather since the birth of little Diane last March, 2020 will forever be the vintage of renewal and new life. With less time taken up by wine work, I was able to take lovely walks with my granddaughter at the end of the day. It was an opportunity to get to know her better and see how attentive this little girl is to nature and everything around her.

Tasting notes red

Wednesday, September 2: Racking of the Aloxe-Corton and first observations: intense color and aromas of small fruits with subtle nuances. The palate is generous from the very first attack, with ripe tannins coating the mouth. The wine is both charming and powerful. Like any youngster, it seeks to show off, but we must allow it time to grow, so that we may one day admire the finesse and complexity of its maturity.

Tasting notes white

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