Vintage variation matters more in Burgundy than almost anywhere else in the wine world. A cool, difficult year and a warm, generous one can produce genuinely different wines from the same grower and the same vineyard. Here's a practical, non-technical guide to what recent Burgundy vintages actually taste like, so the year on the label tells you something useful before you even open the bottle.
2019: Generous and Complex
2019 is widely regarded as an excellent year for red Burgundy in particular, wines with real generosity and flair, complex and detailed without losing their sense of delicacy. Edouard Delaunay's Chambertin Grand Cru 2019 comes from this vintage, a serious bottle from a serious year.
2020: Dense and Powerful
2020 produced big, dark, serious wines, whites in particular showed lovely purity and balance. Some tasters find the reds slightly monolithic in youth, dense wines that reward patience rather than immediate drinking. Several of our Burgundy reds, including Château de Meursault's Pommard 'Clos de la Platiere' and Domaine de Montille's Beaune 1er Cru 'Les Sizies', come from this powerful vintage.
2021: A Classical, Lean Vintage
A small, frost-affected harvest, 2021 produced wines that mark a genuine return to a more classical Burgundy style: bright acidity, precise detail, and a lighter touch of fruit than the two vintages either side of it. Lower yields mean these wines can be harder to find, but the quality among what was produced is good. Domaine de Montille's Monthelie and Château de Marsannay's Gevrey-Chambertin 'Vieilles Vignes' both come from this classically-styled year.
2022: Ripe, Balanced, and Built to Age
2022 is frequently praised as a highly consistent, generous vintage, with plush fruit and warm character balanced by robust natural acidity, giving these wines both immediate appeal and real ageing potential. This is one of the best-represented vintages in our current range, including Domaine de Montille's Pommard 'Les Cras', Domaine Comte Senard's Aloxe-Corton 'Jules', and Domaine Vincent Bouzereau's Meursault.
2023: Charming, Fruity, and Well-Balanced
2023 delivered charming, fruit-forward reds with acidity slightly higher than 2022 and no sign of heat stress, often compared favourably to 2022 but with a touch more classical nuance. Domaine Robert Groffier's entire current range, including the Bonnes-Mares Grand Cru and several Chambolle-Musigny Premier Crus, comes from this promising vintage.
So Which Vintage Should You Buy?
If you're drinking soon, look to 2022 or 2023 for immediate charm and generosity. If you're building a cellar and have the patience, 2019 and 2020 offer more to gain from a few extra years, while the leaner, more classical 2021s are worth seeking out for drinkers who prefer precision over power. There is no single 'best' vintage, only the vintage that matches what you want in the glass tonight versus what you're willing to wait for.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a 'good vintage' always better than an 'off vintage'? Not necessarily. A talented producer can make excellent wine in a difficult year, and vintage character is often more about style than quality, a lean 2021 isn't worse than a generous 2022, it's simply different.
Should I cellar these wines or drink them now? Village and Premier Cru Burgundy from strong vintages like 2019, 2020, and 2022 generally benefits from 3 to 8 years of cellaring, while lighter, more accessible bottlings can be enjoyed within a year or two of purchase.
Where can I see current vintages available in Kuala Lumpur? Browse our Burgundy Reds and Burgundy Whites collections at The Vintage Wine Club.
For orders, tastings, or personalised recommendations, contact The Vintage Wine Club Malaysia at admin@thevintageclub.my, WhatsApp +6012 2801623, or visit us at Publika, Solaris Dutamas, Kuala Lumpur.