(Please see my overview of the 2018 vintage in the Côte d’ Or here.)
Frédéric Mugnier said that harvesting began with the Bonnes-Mares on 28 August -- the parcel had suffered from drought, receiving no rain from July until October. The harvesting for the other Chambolle vineyards began on 1 September, and the Nuits were harvested on 8 September. He said that quantities were good. Alcohols for the Chambolle wines were between 13º and 13.5º; for the Clos de la Maréchale (which had suffered from the hail over the summer, with half the crop lost in red, a little less in white), they are 14º to 14.5º. Some malo-lactic fermentations went quickly, others not.
He noted that over the last five years, acidities have been good despite high sugar levels (which correspond to high alcohols). This is the effect of global warming, and it will be necessary to rethink standard rules in dealing with this changed environment.
2018 Chambolle-Musigny
Pretty red fruit aromas. In the mouth, smooth texture, lightness, purity, red fruits. Very elegant. (89-91)
2018 Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru Les Fuées
Perfumed, floral nose. Darker fruits and more structure than in the village wine, but still very elegant. Smooth texture. (92-94)
2018 Bonnes-Mares
Floral, earthy nose typical of young Bonnes-Mares. Dense, pure, berry fruits, penetration, good liveliness, power, finesse. (94-96)
2018 Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru Les Amoureuses
Pretty red and dark fruits, smooth, dense, rich, elegant, more nervous than the Fuées. (93-95)
2018 Musigny
The foregoing wines are within the range one expects for a good year; the Musigny, however, seems to go into the extraordinary range. Dark fruits, spicy, deep nose. Mouth is dense, rich, elegant, long. Spicy dark fruits. Seductive -- classic Musigny. (97-99)
2018 Nuits-Saint-Georges 1er Cru Clos de la Maréchale rouge
As noted above, half the crop was lost due to hail that hit the vineyard twice over the summer. This resulted in extra concentration for the grapes and also higher degrees of alcohol. The outcome is a wine that tastes as though it’s from a completely different vintage from the Chambolle wines. Powerful, stony nose. Mouth is dense, powerful, rich, almost violent. Blackberry fruits, long, medium-full. (90-92)
2018 Nuits-Saint-Georges 1er Cru Clos de la Maréchale blanc
Earthy, rich, mineral nose, tropical fruit. Mouth is rich and concentrated with tropical fruits. Plenty of glycerine makes for a texture that is opulent, smooth, and rich. This wine is unlike other vintages for its concentration, exoticism, and power. (91-93)