The 2024 harvest continued yesterday (09/09/2024) somewhat of an interim day with quite some rain and humidity.

The harvest is not up to full speed yet – and there are currently quite some speculations regarding the ripening of especially the whites.

The whites are this year often being harvested after the reds in Côte de Beaune which is a bit unusual, and some are even suggesting a pause between the reds and the whites … see below …

The unripe whites

It seems that the phenolic ripeness and even the sugar ripeness are falling behind in some white vineyards. Very little is happening currently regarding the ripeness in these plots … will they ever be ripe?

This is not a completely uncommon phenomenon, as this happened with the whites in 2007, where some vignerons had to wait a very long time to reach better phenolic ripeness …

According to Benjamin Leroux, waiting worked in 2007 and he is now looking into the 2024 whites to see if delaying harvest also could solve some of the ripeness issues in 2024.

Weather Conditions in 2007

March was mild in 2007 and generously sunny April let bud-burst and flowering get off to a fine start. Then came a cool, damp and dreary summer that threatened mildew and rot (like 2024), and left winemakers wondering if the grapes would ever ripen (just like 2024). Although Chardonnay was less affected than Pinot Noir, a great deal of effort was needed to keep the vineyards healthy.

The vigneron prayers were answered in 2007 with a warm August end and a fresh, breezy, sunny September. Some growers delayed picking as long as possible (even up to 10 days after the reds) to ensure the Chardonnay reached full maturity or at least acceptable ripeness.

2024 is not 2007 …. but

No situations are 100% alike … and no one is saying that the 2024 whites will be like the 2007. There is however no doubt that the symptoms in this year indicate wines in the same direction as 2007 … slightly unripe steely wines – lacking some charm and joy.

The 2007s harvested early have sometimes been criticised … as they are sometimes lacking energy, playfulness and vividness … they can be firm and precise but with little structural complexity … and yes with a slightly austere note of steely low ripeness.

It could be great if a later harvest could provide the white 2024s with a bit more energy and structural complexity … loosening up the tight steely structures so to speak.

Someone will most likely try to wait with the whites … it worked well for some in 2007 … among others Benjamin Leroux …

Yesterdays Harvest View