Exceptional 2002 Chablis Harvest. One thing’s for sure, the Chablis Grand Crus 2002 harvest was one of the best ever. A dry spring without any major frost permitted the vegetative cycle to begin normally. A beautiful month of May and the beginning of June assisted an early flowering that was completed near the 10th June for the entire Grand Crus vineyards. July was marked by cool and wet weather conditions. August showed both extremes, with a large variation of hot and cool temperatures but without any major rain. The vineyards were extremely healthy and they were not affected by any mildew or oidium. The premier controls of ripeness were completed early September and they showed that the vegetative cycle was in advance of the average with the sugar content levels similar to the excellent vintages of 1990 and 2000. September was absolutely marvelous, sunny and dry. The vine benefited from the optimal conditions with lots of sunshine and cold nights, which generate the development of the aromas. With these excellent climatic conditions, all of the wine growers had plenty of time to wait for full ripeness. The Grand Crus harvest started on the 20th September and finished around the 8 October. The harvest was perfect with the weather condition producing plenty of sunshine and no rain. The small rainfall recorded during the entire growing season gave smaller yields but this was compensated with high natural sugar levels. All of the Grands Crus were harvested fully ripe with the potential alcohols between 12, 5 and 13, 5. The first tastings were a real pleasure with a mixture a ripe sweetness, elegance and concentration. The acidity levels are good and on average compared to previous years. All these facts lead as to believe that the 2002 will be classic Chablis style and an exceptional vintage. The 2002 harvest can be compared to 1986 or 1990, which had similar small yields and excellent concentration and ripeness.

This could be the vintage that Burgundy only sees once every 30 or 40 years, but the jury is still out. Even flowering, warm bright sunny summer days and a cool sunny autumn, with none of the problems from rain found in the Rhone and south. The wines are deeply colored, rich dense physiologically ripe examples of Pinot Noir with high supportive acidity and mature chewy tannins. Perfectly ripe fruitwith slow extended maceration and fermentation has produced some exquisite wine, and in most cases secondary fermentation has not even begun.  The red wines were most successful but the whites are excellent as well. More importantly, every appellation and every level of Burgundy enjoyed and shared equally in the success of 2002. These are truly 'vin de garde'.