The vintage for red Burgundy in 2002 was a superb one. January was drier than usual with most of its rain falling in a two day period. Temperatures were often below freezing. February was considerably warmer than usual with only two days of temperatures below freezing. Rainfall was average for that month. March was way below average for rain but above average in temperature. The same goes for April. Temperatures in May were average; rainfall was the most for the entire year. This was very good for the vegetation.

Flowering occurred in June from the 7th in the Cotes de Beaune and the 12th in the Cotes de Nuits. It was a noneventful flowering which experienced both cool weather and hot weather during that period. The production levels were decent yet the size of the berries were smaller than in 2001 and 2000.

The hottest weather of the summer, save for a four day period from July 26th to July 30th, was in June - from the 14th to the 23rd. It was a very dry summer almost to the point of drought conditions. Even though it was dry, it was rarely hot and it was often gray. It was like late Spring all Summer long.

August was downright cool with only two days over 30ºC. September started very gray, I remember calling my producers in Burgundy and not one of them were optimistic. The sugar levels were around 10% alcohol levels at that point. There was a fairly large rainstorm on September 3rd which kick-started the vegetation. It stayed gray until about the 12th of September, at which time, miraculously, the sun came out with a strong north wind and stayed that way until October. There was absolutely no rain during that period. This wind thickened the skins and concentrated the sugars. Since it never got hot, acids remained high and with the sunshine in September, the grapes achieved phenolic ripeness. The thick skins and the small berries produced wines with excellent concentration and deep color. Because of the extensive hang time of the grapes, the wines have a beautiful bouquet and lovely terroir expressions. Since there was no rain during the harvest and very little before, there was absolutely no rot resulting in wines that were easy to make.

This vintage was very slow to undergo malolactic fermentation. For this reason the wines have a beautiful Pinot Noir aroma. There is a great balance with acids very high in tartaric which translates to a long life when combined with concentrated ripe fruit. Crop levels in 2002 were smaller than in 2000 and 1999. As far as variations between the Cotes de Beaune and Cotes de Nuits in 2002, it is far less evident than in the three previous vintages. If I had to give a nod, I think the Cotes de Nuits was slightly more intense. It is a vintage that has tremendous freshness with its vivacious acidity complemented by great balance and concentration. Needless to say, producers were ecstatic about the final result.

"Soft and ripe, this is a gently claret with scents of green pepper and youthful tannins. The light grip with accompany charcuterie." Wine & Spirits