Vintage
2016
Balanced
Record rain, frost and mildew, then a dry summer
A record-wet first half, frost that wiped out the Côte des Bar, mildew almost everywhere and one of the smallest crops since the 1980s. Pinot Noir is the strength.
The harvest
513 mm of rain from January to June, 62 per cent above average. Frost on 27 April touched a quarter of the appellation. Mildew in 99 per cent of monitored vineyards. Final yield a little above 8,000 kg/ha.
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From the archive
Marie-Noëlle Ledru Cuvée du Goulté Grand Cru Blanc de Noirs 2016
A complex nose marked by cherry stone, red apple and blood orange, with cherry blossom, dried yellow flowers and light yoghurt notes behind.
Louis Roederer Cristal 2016
This is a rich Champagne, one that gives light tones of maturity, with fruit that is ripe and still fresh.
Mailly Grand Cru Rosé 2016
Deep in colour. Red berry fruit on the nose, with fine concentration and plenty of raspberry running through it.
Mailly Grand Cru Poétique de la Terre Variation XVI.I 2016
Fantastic. A Champagne with obvious cellaring potential ahead of it.
Taittinger Millésimé 2016
A rich Champagne with lovely ripe fruit and clear notes of age.