Summer Tastings of the 2017 vintage #1

Time to taste the 2017 vintage …. but before I get to the first tastings I need to set the scene. I have – to be honest tasted af few 2017s already … so I have formed some kind of preliminary opinion of the vintage.

It is however useful to place the 2017s into context – as this vintage is very different from the two previous .. and this can in my view not be ignored when evaluating the vintage and setting the expectations.

The 2017 vintage has produced good yields – and especially compared to the 2016 vintage very good yields indeed, and even compared to 2015 and most other vintages since 2009 quite generous quantities.

This is great news – but lets be honest – higher yields does not produce the same concentration – and the wines must therefore be expected to be lighter and less powerful.

Both the 2016s and the 2015s offer a quite high level of intensity and concentration for the reds – in my view sometimes rather abundant but not too much. On the other hand – I would not like to see all Burgundy vintages be like the 2015s – I like to have my classic cool year vintages too – and without low yields due to the frost.

So … this is the context … higher yields … in many cases less weight and concentration …. and the tastings will show the character of the vintage … the balance, the frestness, the energy .. let the fun begin.

The whites is a different game as the quality of the 2017s seem to be very fine indeed .. if not even better.

The 2017 vintage in the market …

The situation is mixed – we need wine – after the limited quantities in recent vintages – yet there are clear signs that not all bottles are sold from all produce at current prices.

Prices have increased – and for the top producers – presumably no problem – but for the … lesser and lesser known producers charging high prices … there is a risk .. for some even a big risk .. that 2017 could give a first sign of a collapse of the market.

So the essential thing is that 2017s can convince the market that this is a collectors vintage … if they are going to pay collectors prices or investors prices if you like.

I do have a open mind going in to taste the 2017s … as they seem to suit my palate – hence also a vintage I would like to recommend.

That being said … when prices reaches a certain level … it’s not all about quality … it’s also return on investment – and this is where I fear that 2017s could face difficulties relative to the 2015s and 2016s.