Burgundy 2016 insight – tense low yield wines

Some of the 2016 red Burgundies are made from very low yields, and while this give a very fine intensity and concentration, some of these low yield wines seem very tense, lacking some of the effortless balance found in other wines.

The stressed 2016s

Some of the 2016s that have been strongly affected by the frost are tense and have a certain nervousness.

The expression of the acidity is different and the midpalate fruit is lacking the harmonius expression found in wines made with a more normal yield.

Especially wines from lesser terroirs are afffected by this – whereas Grand Cru wines seem more robust and maintain the balance and ease.

The biodynamic wines

I have however noticed that the biodynamic/organic wines apparently are less affected by the low yields.

It seems like the biodynamic vineyards have handled the stress from the frost better, and the wines show less or no tendencies of being stressed and “nervous”.

I do not have the explanation – but somehow it does make sense if the biodynamic vineyards cope better with stress associated with the frost – and even the milldew, as they are in better balance.