Conditions at the Domaine were essentially the same as those described in my general overview of the vintage.
Harvest dates were as follows:
4 September: Corton
6 and 7 September: La Tâche
8 September (morning): Romanée-Conti
8 (afternoon) and 10 September (pause for rain on 9 September): Richebourg
10 and 11 September: Romanée-Saint-Vivant
12 September: Grands-Echézeaux
13 September: Echézeaux
15 September (pause for rain on 14 September): Montrachet
Yields were generous for the Domaine (but the average vine age of 50 years and good pruning practices act as a limit against runaway yields). Overall production is twice that of 2016, but recall that both Echézeaux and Grands-Echézeaux were severely affected by the frosts (90% loss) in 2016. Due to the excellent health of the grapes, use of whole clusters is high, and some cuvées, such as Romanée-Conti are essentially 100% whole cluster.
Malo-lactic fermentations were normal, occurring in December and January.
Aubert de Villaine sees the vintage as one emphasizing the vegetal (in a positive sense) and floral aspects.
Unsurprisingly, there are great wines here for those who have the means and access to them. (Continue reading here.)