I’ve been drinking mostly '18 WB lately because I have a ton of it. It was rather flabby on release, but my wife really liked it. After a couple of years it’s really settled down and is drinking beautifully. I’ve had many bottles from different producers and they’ve been very good. Acid and fruit are really in balance.
Popped a '17 Sauzet PM 1er Folatieres today. My first '17 in a while tonight and it’s incredibly tight, all acid, needed a splash decant and then still tight. Hard to drink right now. It’s like freshly squeezed lemon juice.
My question is for those who have experienced vintages similar to these over many years. Obviously '17 is a way better vintage, but how long will it take for it to show?
I agree with you on 2018. It has improved markedly in bottle, and I am very much enjoying each '18 I open. I reckon '17 has tightened considerably and they need a couple of years in bottle to re-emerge.
My 2018 are in a very good place now. I think they will get better in 2-4 years. The 2017 wines I have had are very shrill. I am a bit worried about if they will come around. Maybe 5-7 years for the 2017 white burgs.
I feel like most good producers in those high energy vintages go through a shutdown phase 5-8 years in and dont’ re-emerge until a decade or so.
can’t say I’m a fan of 18 though even now, it’s just a bit too alcoholic and weighty still. Feel like the progression is more like 09 than 15. Where 15 are coming together very well. But could just be what I’m trying
Thanks Andrew for your post. I agree. Most of the 18 whites I am drinking are starting to really get in a good spot. I have started to lay off 17s for just the reason you site.
[quote=“Philip_Laub, post:7, topic:286752, full:true”]
Depends on the '17. I just had a '17 Ramonet Clos du Cailleret last Friday that was absolutely singing.
[/quote]great Ramonet vintage
Interestingly, I just brought one of those home also to sample. But when I see notes on CT like “best on second day” I’m concerned that my palate preference may not be the same “singing” as yours.
I saw that comment as well. Didn’t map to my experience at all with this particular bottle. It was open and giving right from the pop, great over 3+ hours. Explosive, intoxicating nose, strong texturally, that kiss of spearmint…
A 2017 Jean Marc Pillot Clos St. Marc I opened almost two years ago was one of the tightest wines I’ve ever tried. I’m wondering what the drinking window on that might be.
I tasted "17 vs '18 Bouchard Meursault Genevrieres in the last couple of weeks. The '18 was a bit fatter and without the vibrancy and energy of the '17. Similar to '15 vs. '14.
Try the 17 H Boillot wines, they are drinking nicely at the moment. Recently we’ve opened the Mouchere, Corton and Batard and all have been drinking well, very expressive and did not display out of balance acidity. 17 Latour-Giraud Meursault Genevrieres on the other hand was acidic, grumpy and closed.
And regarding the 18s I’ve opened comparably fewer and have been generally disappointed. Mostly PYCM Saint Aubins and a Raveneau MdT. In general they come across as pleasant but lacking cut, energy and complexity.
Same. Here’s my list of 18s over the last year. Only ones I’d want to drink again are the Caroline Morey and Niellon. I found them to be kind of hollow in the middle and lacking the cut Larry mentions. YMMV
Domaine Michel Niellon Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru Les Champs-Gain
Domaine Bernard Moreau et Fils Saint-Aubin 1er Cru En Remilly Blanc
Marc Colin et Fils Saint-Aubin 1er Cru Le Charmois Blanc
Caroline Morey Beaune 1er Cru Grèves Blanc
Yves Boyer-Martenot Meursault Les Narvaux
Domaine Marc Morey & Fils Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru Les Vergers
Jean-Jacques Vincent Pouilly-Fuissé Cuvée Marie-Antoinette Vincent
Samuel Billaud Chablis 1er Cru Vaillons Vieilles Vignes
May I ask you specifically about the Marc Morey Vergers 2018?
Hollow and lacking cut like your broad description?
I had the 2017 last year and loved it so I loaded up on that and also the 2020.
That’s made from over 100 year old vines, so it’s basically a baby chevalier. I wouldn’t drink that too soon, or give it a ton of air. His other wines (which I like a lot) are a lot more approachable.
Hey Andrew,
I haven’t noticed the 17’s tightening up yet. Actually, it’s the 14’s where I feel that is happening more. I’ve drunk a decent amount of 2018 Lafon (various wines) and love them, and also liked some one off bottles of other producers.
BTW, isn’t this your note!?!