Burgundy 2020 EP: Standout vintage hits the market

 A hot growing season led to the earliest ever harvest for the region with some producers beginning as early as 12 August and finishing before the month ended. Thanks to the skill of the best producers as well as the apparent ability of the vines to adapt to our warming climate, many of the 2020 wines strike a delicate balance.

“Global warming is changing the wines of the Côte d’Or, and yet the vines are resisting the effects witnessed in 2003, so that even in a precocious season like 2020, they retain desirable freshness, tension and alcohol levels that have not spun out of control,” explains Vinous’ Neal Martin.

The most successful producers allowed for enough grape hangtime for full phenolic ripening but also avoided leaving grapes on the vine too long and risk sugar concentration and overripe flavours.

While quality appears high across the region, expect some variability at the individual wine level depending on when vineyard parcels were harvested. 

After a mild winter, the 2020 growing season began with balmy spring temperatures. Fortunately, most regions did not experience any severe frosts post-budburst, avoiding significant losses that are expected in 2021.

Although grape volumes were healthy overall, some producers reported crop losses due to sunburn while several others emerged with less juice due to evaporation during the growing season.