2004 Pure and Well-defined

OVERVIEW
As the old Burgundy proverb goes "September makes the wine". The weather definitely gave the vignerons of Burgundy a hard time during the year: there was a magnificent spring followed by a very unstable summer, characterized by hail storms in some areas, a pale sun most of the time and a cool August.
Fortunately, a glorious September brought back more than a ray of sun. Summer-like conditions and a warm and dry wind enabled the grapes to mature and to remain disease-free.
The harvest started at a rather early date: September 13 in Mâconnais and Côte Chalonnaise, September 20 in Côte d'Or and September 29 in Chablis.
Due to variation in the quality of the berries, a careful sorting of the grapes was essential. At the Domaine, just as with any other serious proprietor, it was necessary to sort out a good part of the crop. The vinification went rather slowly.

Contrary to 2003, the yields were more generous (as a reminder, the yield in 2003 was 30 to 40% lower than in 2002!): our production in 2004 was 10% higher than the average of the last 10 years.

CHABLIS
A text-book vintage. The wines have great purity, showing mineral qualities and acidity. Their evolution will be slow, especially with the Grand Crus.

WHITES
Great purity. Beautiful style and elegance. On the palate, the wines feel ample and well focused, with floral aromas. Good balance between acidity and softness. Fruit and freshness give them a defined personality, typical of their origin. They are now ready to drink.

REDS
The reds show the colour normally associated with pinot noir. The bouquet is reminiscent of little red berries. On the palate, the wines are rather elegant with a refined tannic structure. They demonstrate all the qualities of pinot noir and of the Burgundian terroirs. This is a vintage that can be enjoyed now, certainly ahead of the 2002's. The Grand Crus are still a little closed.
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