As I wrote the alcohol levels are not only starting to climb, they are also starting to become a serious problem – see full article.
2018 is a rather hot year, and while some harvested early some perhaps harvested relatively late – without having worked with denser canopies for greater shading, or like Domaine Leroy not topping their vines – hence protecting the wines towards the sun.
With 2003 presumably remaining the hottest growing season, 2018 seem to be rather hot too, although the experience with hot weather is much better now – 15 years after.
The alcohol levels does however in some cases seem high to very high. Quite many growers apparently picked their red grands crus at 14.5% and a number have presumably harvested Pinot Noir at close to 15%.
In the end … very good wines have surely been made …
Hints for the Hospice de Beaune
A hint to the buyers at the Hospice de Beaune auction, acidity is important – also in 2018, and with the large area covered by the Hospice de Beaune vineyards – large variation can sometimes be seen between the different wines in the same year acidity and freshness wise. So look for freshness.
Finally careful with the alcohol – again the large areas does leave room for relatively large variations in alcohol levels. Go for wines cooler wines with lower alcohol levels – that would be my advice.
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