The harvest here began on 19 September with both reds and whites and on both Côtes, and it finished on 4 October on the Hautes-Côtes. No sorting was necessary. Maceration was a little shorter than usual. Whole clusters were used more than usual and there was a little less pigeage (punching down) and a little more remontage (pumping over) than usual.
Generally, the wines are raised 1/3 in new oak, 1/3 in one-year barrels, and 1/3 in older barrels, and when the wines are racked, they go into older barrels.
2016 Bourgogne Pinot Noir Terres de Famille
This wine shows mineral red fruits in a medium-weight body with a smooth texture. But ultimately, it is quite simple. 30% whole clusters. 85/B-
2016 Côte de Beaune Les Pierres Blanches
There’s a bit more minerality here than in the Bourgogne. 20% whole clusters. Harvested 27 September. 86(+)/B-
2016 Pommard Les Petits Noizons
There’s good harmony to this wine with a medium-weight body, good concentration, and mineral red fruits. 35% whole clusters. Harvested 21 September. This vineyard managed to escape the frost and the hail in 2016. (85-88)
2016 Vougeot Clos du Prieuré
The monopole Vougeot, Clos du Prieuré has mineral red fruits, some dark, and a smooth texture with good length. 35% whole clusters. Harvested 21 September. (85-89)
2016 Chambolle-Musigny
The wine is smooth with lots of finesse. The fruit here is darker than that of the Vougeot. This wine includes wine from the premier cru Baudes and Gruenchers vineyards. Of a total of 51 ares here, 13 are classified as premier cru. 50% whole clusters. Harvested 27 September. (87-91)
2016 Gevrey-Chambertin
This wine shows Gevrey wildness and good concentration for its dark fruits. Good length here. (87-91)
2016 Gevrey-Chambertin La Justice
Vougeraie’s La Justice is smoother and deeper than the regular Gevrey and shows very good concentration. Harvested 26 September. (88-91)
2016 Gevrey-Chambertin Les Evocelles
The Gevrey-Evocelles is mineral and spicy with dark fruit, good density, and a smooth texture. The vines that Vougeraie had planted in ultra-dense spacing have been ripped out, so that bottling will no longer be available. Harvested 30 September. (89-92)
2016 Vosne-Romanée Aux Champs Perdrix
Propitiously located just upslope from La Tâche, the Vosne, Champs Perdrix is medium-light in weight and spicy with clear red currant fruit and good firmness. 100% whole clusters. Only two barrels of this excellent wine, and everything will will be bottled in magnum. 100% whole clusters. Harvested 30 September. (90-93)