Vintages
The winegrower has always scrutinised the sky. None can rejoice until the last of the harvest has been brought in. The four seasons set the rhythm, shaping the identity of each vintage. We always remember the important meteorological conditions such as extreme cold, hail, prolonged rainy periods, hot weather and drought. These elements carry with them winter and spring frosts, coulure and millerandage. And the presence of serious diseases such as downy mildew, powdery mildew or grey rot. The final stage is the date of the harvest, which is determined according to the health and maturity of the grapes.
The wines of Pommard are colourful, powerful and known for ageing well. But depending on the year, they can be good to drink rather than keep – the best solution is to do both!
Once vatted, levels of alcohol, acidity, tannins, polyphenols, etc. are monitored as indicators that contribute to the quality of the vintage.
The annals date back to 1988. Notes and dates that were recorded in small school notebooks. In those days, the alcohol content was measured with an ebulliometer! We had no oenological guidance, no harvesting machines, no pneumatic press, no cooling devices.
Consult the particularities of each vintage
From 2010 to 2018
2010
A truly great vintage! But not as well recognised as it ought to be because it comes after the 2009 vintage … No notable climatic events; a rather cool summer and a harvest that started late on 23 September and ended in October. The wines are powerful, but round and structured. Great laying down potential.
2011
Plenty of sun again; harvest began on 30 August. Round and silky tannins. The fruit is exceedingly powerful. Wines to drink with pleasure.
2012
The start of our troubles … significant events this year: first came coulure, followed by two bouts of hailstones (30 June and 1 August). A low yield, but of high quality, harvested on 17 September. The resulting wines are good due to the hard work carried out during sorting and vinification. These wines are concentrated and frank. A very good vintage for laying down.
2013
More hail, followed by a rainy and cool summer. The harvest was finally started on 1 October! The grapes were sorted, allowing us to make powerful and highly coloured wines. Patience was required to achieve phenolic ripeness. The results are modest in quantity, but we managed to achieve good quality through hard work. A wine for laying down.
2014
Two further episodes of hail that will impact the 2014, but also the 2015, harvest as the wood was quite severely affected. Clement weather after the storms meant we were able to bring in the harvest from 19 September. Yield was cut by more than a half. The wine is supple and pleasant to drink or can be laid down for a few years.
2015
A perfect year for Simon, Lydia Joillot’s son, who was at the helm of the vinification process. He is passionate about the profession and graduated from the Beaune wine school to begin working with Jean-Luc Joillot in 2015. He decided to change the style of the estate’s wines. A new identity was born. He aimed to create more supple and less astringent wines that would be more balanced and easier to taste, making it possible to drink them sooner. These days, the wines should be drunk within 15 years maximum. This vintage was affected because of the harm done to the vines over the last three years. The quantity achieved was therefore not great, but the wines are concentrated, powerful and of high quality. Made for laying down due to their excellent balance.
2016
The winter is very mild … too mild. The vines developed too quickly and black frost struck on the nights of 26 and 27 April. The whole of the crop on the plains was lost. The vines on the slopes of Pommard and Beaune remained unharmed. The delay was such that we started the harvest on 26 September. The wines are concentrated and very balanced; the fruits are pleasant and the tannins silky. A vintage to drink straight away, but there’s also the surprising possibility for laying down some of our better crus.
2017
As is often the case, nature regains a balance after a year of frost to produce impressive growth of clusters. This time the frost was present only in areas known for the cold. Fortunately, the weather that followed was perfect, without storms. Harvesting began on 4 September; it was therefore early and of high quality. A good crop that arrived the same year as Agathe, Simon Goutard’s daughter, and Léonard, Jeanne Joillot’s son – a new generation to take over the estate.
2018
Soon available !
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2010
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2010
A truly great vintage! But not as well recognised as it ought to be because it comes after the 2009 vintage … No notable climatic events; a rather cool summer and a harvest that started late on 23 September and ended in October. The wines are powerful, but round and structured. Great laying down potential.
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2011
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2011
Plenty of sun again; harvest began on 30 August. Round and silky tannins. The fruit is exceedingly powerful. Wines to drink with pleasure.
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2012
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2012
The start of our troubles … significant events this year: first came coulure, followed by two bouts of hailstones (30 June and 1 August). A low yield, but of high quality, harvested on 17 September. The resulting wines are good due to the hard work carried out during sorting and vinification. These wines are concentrated and frank. A very good vintage for laying down.
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2013
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2013
More hail, followed by a rainy and cool summer. The harvest was finally started on 1 October! The grapes were sorted, allowing us to make powerful and highly coloured wines. Patience was required to achieve phenolic ripeness. The results are modest in quantity, but we managed to achieve good quality through hard work. A wine for laying down.
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2014
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2014
Two further episodes of hail that will impact the 2014, but also the 2015, harvest as the wood was quite severely affected. Clement weather after the storms meant we were able to bring in the harvest from 19 September. Yield was cut by more than a half. The wine is supple and pleasant to drink or can be laid down for a few years.
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2015
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2015
A perfect year for Simon, Lydia Joillot’s son, who was at the helm of the vinification process. He is passionate about the profession and graduated from the Beaune wine school to begin working with Jean-Luc Joillot in 2015. He decided to change the style of the estate’s wines. A new identity was born. He aimed to create more supple and less astringent wines that would be more balanced and easier to taste, making it possible to drink them sooner. These days, the wines should be drunk within 15 years maximum. This vintage was affected because of the harm done to the vines over the last three years. The quantity achieved was therefore not great, but the wines are concentrated, powerful and of high quality. Made for laying down due to their excellent balance.
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2016
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2016
The winter is very mild … too mild. The vines developed too quickly and black frost struck on the nights of 26 and 27 April. The whole of the crop on the plains was lost. The vines on the slopes of Pommard and Beaune remained unharmed. The delay was such that we started the harvest on 26 September. The wines are concentrated and very balanced; the fruits are pleasant and the tannins silky. A vintage to drink straight away, but there’s also the surprising possibility for laying down some of our better crus.
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2017
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2017
As is often the case, nature regains a balance after a year of frost to produce impressive growth of clusters. This time the frost was present only in areas known for the cold. Fortunately, the weather that followed was perfect, without storms. Harvesting began on 4 September; it was therefore early and of high quality. A good crop that arrived the same year as Agathe, Simon Goutard’s daughter, and Léonard, Jeanne Joillot’s son – a new generation to take over the estate.
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2018
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2018
Soon available !
From 2000 to 2009
2000
A very sunny year to ring in the new century. Harvest started on 11 September; a thunderstorm hit on 12 September which caused flooding; this was followed by good and hot weather. Nice maturity, resulting in very fruity and supple wines that are pleasant to drink, but not to be laid down for more than 10–15 years.
2001
The village of Pommard was spared by the hailstorms of 2 August, but Volnay was not. The harvest began on 19 September and continued in good conditions. Fortunately, the quality was there even if the grapes were not fully ripe. A difficult vintage; young, but good for laying down.
2002
All of France was hit by rain and cold except for Burgundy. The outcome is a great vintage! Very good weather for the grape harvest that started on 16 September. High shoulder wines, good for laying down.
2003
A year of drought and hot spells. Harvest started on 23 September. The grapes were stunted by these extreme conditions, which resulted in atypical wines. Records were broken, with alcohol by volume exceeding 14% vol., which will prevent our wines from ageing prematurely.
2004
A hailstorm on 17 July, followed by a second one on 23 August. The yield was cut in half. Harvest began on 20 September, but the quality was not very good. We were able to save whatever clusters that were spared these climatic conditions at the sorting table. A difficult vintage that will not yield wines for laying down.
2005
A great vintage – both quality and quantity are present. Harvest started on 14 September in the rain … A powerful and deeply coloured vintage that is rich in alcohol and tannins; a true Pommard – rather austere but with a great ageing potential of 15–20 years.
2006
No significant events, except persistent rainfall all summer. Harvest started on 16 September in difficult conditions. This vintage presents good maturity; supple and pleasant to drink.
2007
A very precocious year. The beginning of the harvest took place on 28 August; plenty of heat and sun. Notes of red fruits and citrus dominate the wines. These have all the signs of ageing wonderfully.
2008
We return to a late vintage, with the harvest starting on 29 September. Fortunately, the weather was very good. This gave us powerful wines, rather closed in the nose, austere in the mouth; they should be left to lie and age for a few years.
2009
An almost perfect vintage. The year was punctuated by a cold and harsh winter, a sunny spring and a hot summer, salvaged by a little rain. Very good weather for the harvest that began on 16 September. Displays wonderful quality and quantity. Good to drink immediately, but better to lay down; very balanced wines.
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2000
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2000
A very sunny year to ring in the new century. Harvest started on 11 September; a thunderstorm hit on 12 September which caused flooding; this was followed by good and hot weather. Nice maturity, resulting in very fruity and supple wines that are pleasant to drink, but not to be laid down for more than 10–15 years.
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2001
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2001
The village of Pommard was spared by the hailstorms of 2 August, but Volnay was not. The harvest began on 19 September and continued in good conditions. Fortunately, the quality was there even if the grapes were not fully ripe. A difficult vintage; young, but good for laying down.
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2002
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2002
All of France was hit by rain and cold except for Burgundy. The outcome is a great vintage! Very good weather for the grape harvest that started on 16 September. High shoulder wines, good for laying down.
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2003
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2003
A year of drought and hot spells. Harvest started on 23 September. The grapes were stunted by these extreme conditions, which resulted in atypical wines. Records were broken, with alcohol by volume exceeding 14% vol., which will prevent our wines from ageing prematurely.
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2004
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2004
A hailstorm on 17 July, followed by a second one on 23 August. The yield was cut in half. Harvest began on 20 September, but the quality was not very good. We were able to save whatever clusters that were spared these climatic conditions at the sorting table. A difficult vintage that will not yield wines for laying down.
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2005
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2005
A great vintage – both quality and quantity are present. Harvest started on 14 September in the rain … A powerful and deeply coloured vintage that is rich in alcohol and tannins; a true Pommard – rather austere but with a great ageing potential of 15–20 years.
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2006
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2006
No significant events, except persistent rainfall all summer. Harvest started on 16 September in difficult conditions. This vintage presents good maturity; supple and pleasant to drink.
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2007
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2007
A very precocious year. The beginning of the harvest took place on 28 August; plenty of heat and sun. Notes of red fruits and citrus dominate the wines. These have all the signs of ageing wonderfully.
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2008
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2008
We return to a late vintage, with the harvest starting on 29 September. Fortunately, the weather was very good. This gave us powerful wines, rather closed in the nose, austere in the mouth; they should be left to lie and age for a few years.
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2009
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2009
An almost perfect vintage. The year was punctuated by a cold and harsh winter, a sunny spring and a hot summer, salvaged by a little rain. Very good weather for the harvest that began on 16 September. Displays wonderful quality and quantity. Good to drink immediately, but better to lay down; very balanced wines.
From 1988 to 1999
1988
Harvest started on 23 September. A good quantity of powerful wines for laying down achieved. This is the first Pommard “Les Noizons” vintage. The crop was fully destemmed thanks to CHERREAU equipment bought second-hand at Domaine De La Romanée Conti.
1989
Harvest started on 24 September. A remarkable vintage, reported in the national press. Balanced, fine and pleasant to drink. Wines in which the fruit lingers for a long time, but the structure is more for the long term.
1990
Perhaps not on a par with the 1947 vintage of the century, but I would place this in 2nd position. All the variables are perfect: great quantity, great quality. Almost too good for journalists. The harvest began on 15 September. It was also the year our children Lucie, Mathieu and Simon were born.
1991
Modest vintage, harvested late because we had snow in April. We started the harvest on 26 September. This was the first harvest from the Pommard “Les Rugiens” parcel. Only 75% destemmed to maintain a little structure.
1992
This year produced a modest harvest because of the slight spring frost, but the quantity was good. Harvest started on 12 September. Storage space is getting scarce as the estate, and the number of bottle sales, is growing in size.
1993
An abundant crop but a little diluted. Harvest started on 16 September. This vintage is ideal for immediate sale.
1994
Harvest started on 19 September. The year was very wet and the grapes were not fully ripe. We opted for chaptalisation. This wine should be drunk quickly except for the fine vintages of Noizons, Rugiens and Epenots.
1995
Harvesting began on 21 September. The rain that preceded the harvest caused the berries to swell. Quality and quantity have both graced us with their presence. A powerful vintage, suitable for laying down. A benchmark year with the birth of Jeanne.
1996
A generous yield; harvesting began on 19 September and only ended on 8 October. We’re beginning to notice the lack of storage. Maturity is good and the excellent health of the grape is noteworthy.
1997
A very sunny and hot year. An excellent crop brought in from 12 September. The wines are delicate, very fruity and pleasant to drink quite young. The crus can be laid down. The “wooden cage” vertical press has finally been exchanged for a pneumatic press, which is easier and faster to use, especially for whites.
1998
A climatic phenomenon that has left its scars – scorching occurred with a 10% loss. Harvest started on 17 September. The indicators signalled a good structure, powerful and tannic. These are wines for laying down for a long time.
1999
The new vat room was able to accommodate the abundant yield! The harvest began on 16 September. The wines are not diluted because we performed “green” harvesting in the parcels that had superfluous clusters.
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1988
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1988
Harvest started on 23 September. A good quantity of powerful wines for laying down achieved. This is the first Pommard “Les Noizons” vintage. The crop was fully destemmed thanks to CHERREAU equipment bought second-hand at Domaine De La Romanée Conti.
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1989
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1989
Harvest started on 24 September. A remarkable vintage, reported in the national press. Balanced, fine and pleasant to drink. Wines in which the fruit lingers for a long time, but the structure is more for the long term.
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1990
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1990
Perhaps not on a par with the 1947 vintage of the century, but I would place this in 2nd position. All the variables are perfect: great quantity, great quality. Almost too good for journalists. The harvest began on 15 September. It was also the year our children Lucie, Mathieu and Simon were born.
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1991
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1991
Modest vintage, harvested late because we had snow in April. We started the harvest on 26 September. This was the first harvest from the Pommard “Les Rugiens” parcel. Only 75% destemmed to maintain a little structure.
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1992
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1992
This year produced a modest harvest because of the slight spring frost, but the quantity was good. Harvest started on 12 September. Storage space is getting scarce as the estate, and the number of bottle sales, is growing in size.
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1993
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1993
An abundant crop but a little diluted. Harvest started on 16 September. This vintage is ideal for immediate sale.
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1994
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1994
Harvest started on 19 September. The year was very wet and the grapes were not fully ripe. We opted for chaptalisation. This wine should be drunk quickly except for the fine vintages of Noizons, Rugiens and Epenots.
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1995
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1995
Harvesting began on 21 September. The rain that preceded the harvest caused the berries to swell. Quality and quantity have both graced us with their presence. A powerful vintage, suitable for laying down. A benchmark year with the birth of Jeanne.
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1996
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1996
A generous yield; harvesting began on 19 September and only ended on 8 October. We’re beginning to notice the lack of storage. Maturity is good and the excellent health of the grape is noteworthy.
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1997
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1997
A very sunny and hot year. An excellent crop brought in from 12 September. The wines are delicate, very fruity and pleasant to drink quite young. The crus can be laid down. The “wooden cage” vertical press has finally been exchanged for a pneumatic press, which is easier and faster to use, especially for whites.
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1998
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1998
A climatic phenomenon that has left its scars – scorching occurred with a 10% loss. Harvest started on 17 September. The indicators signalled a good structure, powerful and tannic. These are wines for laying down for a long time.
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1999
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1999
The new vat room was able to accommodate the abundant yield! The harvest began on 16 September. The wines are not diluted because we performed “green” harvesting in the parcels that had superfluous clusters.