BEAUNE PREMIER CRU
LES MARCONNETS 2014
BEAUNE PREMIER CRU
LES MARCONNETS 2014
click on one of the vintages below for further information
Varietal
Tasting notes
Visual: Bright garnet red.
Nose: Deep and pure bouquet with fine red fruits aromas with roasted, grilled notes.
Palate: The attack is very fruity (aromas of black berry and blue berry). An ample wine with a good tannic structure and a fine length.
Food and wine pairing
Serving suggestions
Ageing potential
Origins
Overlooking the town of Beaune to the north, just above the Clos du Roi parcel, the 'Marconnets' climat (originating from the Germanic word Marconnans) covers just over 9 hectares, of which 6 hectares are given over to the Pinot Noir grape variety.
Today, it is generally accepted that the climat takes its name from the spring that once flowed through the area and is mentioned in several period registers. The term is derived from the Old French "marc" meaning marsh.
Vinification and maturing
Vintage : 2014
After three difficult years, the start of the 2014 vintage remained just as challenging for winemakers, but surprisingly nice weather conditions paired with the winemakers' expertise allowed for a bountiful harvest and a promising vintage in terms of quality.
First, a warm and dry spring, which benefited the vines and preserved their good sanitary condition, led us to expect an abundant and early harvest. However, the harvest's expected volume was affected by a few occurrences of "coulure" (failure of grapes to develop after flowering).
Unfortunately, Mother Nature, along with variable weather conditions, put a damper on these positive perspectives in nearly all of France's winemaking regions.
Unlucky once again, Burgundy was hit by a horrible hailstorm on the 28th of June in the Côte de Beaune, which decimated - for the third consecutive year - the vineyards of Beaune, Pommard, and Volnay; nearby villages and a part of the vines in Côte de Nuits next to Vosne-Romanée also having been affected.
The summer was characterized by an absence of sunshine, so much so that the head start acquired at the beginning of the cycle was no longer relevant. A regular rain pattern settled in during July and August, postponing the onset of ripening which usually takes place by the end of July and beginning of August, and fueling the development of various diseases - oidium in southern France and mildew in the northern half.
Thankfully by August 20th, and with the changing phase of the moon, a miracle came - along with the return of beautiful weather. The sun, and the northern wind, made its appearance in the first days of September. This created ideal conditions for optimal maturation of the grapes and maintained their good sanitary condition.
In mid-September, the winemakers regained their optimism and the harvest began under the sun's warm rays. The harvested grapes already fulfilled some of their early promises by showing very nice balance and exhibiting intense colors. The vatting process took place unhindered and the alcoholic fermentation began spontaneously. The start of autumn, very mild, allowed for the malolactic fermentations to trigger quickly.
The 2014 vintage early appeared very promising and the volumes were relatively good, even if they do not quite compensate for the lack of quantity.
First, a warm and dry spring, which benefited the vines and preserved their good sanitary condition, led us to expect an abundant and early harvest. However, the harvest's expected volume was affected by a few occurrences of "coulure" (failure of grapes to develop after flowering).
Unfortunately, Mother Nature, along with variable weather conditions, put a damper on these positive perspectives in nearly all of France's winemaking regions.
Unlucky once again, Burgundy was hit by a horrible hailstorm on the 28th of June in the Côte de Beaune, which decimated - for the third consecutive year - the vineyards of Beaune, Pommard, and Volnay; nearby villages and a part of the vines in Côte de Nuits next to Vosne-Romanée also having been affected.
The summer was characterized by an absence of sunshine, so much so that the head start acquired at the beginning of the cycle was no longer relevant. A regular rain pattern settled in during July and August, postponing the onset of ripening which usually takes place by the end of July and beginning of August, and fueling the development of various diseases - oidium in southern France and mildew in the northern half.
Thankfully by August 20th, and with the changing phase of the moon, a miracle came - along with the return of beautiful weather. The sun, and the northern wind, made its appearance in the first days of September. This created ideal conditions for optimal maturation of the grapes and maintained their good sanitary condition.
In mid-September, the winemakers regained their optimism and the harvest began under the sun's warm rays. The harvested grapes already fulfilled some of their early promises by showing very nice balance and exhibiting intense colors. The vatting process took place unhindered and the alcoholic fermentation began spontaneously. The start of autumn, very mild, allowed for the malolactic fermentations to trigger quickly.
The 2014 vintage early appeared very promising and the volumes were relatively good, even if they do not quite compensate for the lack of quantity.