Joseph DROUHIN (Beaune) -- 2018 Part I: Côte Chalonnaise and Côte de Beaune Reds Tasted from Cask Samples and Bottle

(Please see my overall view of the 2018 vintage in the Côte d’ Or here.)

Harvesting on the Côte de Beaune began with the Corton-Charlemagne on 29 August and largely was finished on the Côte de Beaune by 6 September. The best whole clusters were selected, making the wines generally 25-50% whole clusters. Pumping over generally was used instead of punching down, and macerations lasted between 15 and 21 days. There was no acidification of the reds except maybe the press wine (which was largely not used, so essentially no acidification). Alcohols generally range between 12.5º and 14.3º.