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Burgundy 2020 en primeur: Full report plus top-scoring wines

It was another hot year but the best producers rode out the drought and concentration of fruit to produce many superb, if less than typical wines. Having tasted over 1,200 wines, Charles Curtis MW delivers his verdict on the Burgundy 2020 vintage.

Côte d’Or 2020 whites score: 4/5

Côte d’Or 2020 reds score: 4.5/5


‘2020 was the third year in a row of hot, dry weather, and may prove a template for the future era of global warming.’


White wine of the vintage:

Domaine des Comtes Lafon, Montrachet Grand Cru

Red wine of the vintage:

Domaine Georges Roumier, Musigny Grand Cru

The unique conditions – economic as well as meteorological – of 2020 mean it is an exceptional Burgundy vintage.

The potential was there to make sublime wine if one avoided the traps of overripeness and over-extraction.

A judicious choice of picking date and a gentle hand in the winery were required, but the best producers made delicious wines that will last for decades.

‘It’s good. But is it Burgundy?’, I found myself asking on more than one occasion during the recent month I spent in the region tasting the 2020 vintage.


Scroll down for tasting notes and scores of Charles’ top-scoring Burgundy 2020 wines


After more than 1,200 samples tasted, I’m still on the fence. There is one certainty, however. As more than one winemaker pointed out: ‘We have no choice but to deal with what nature has given us.’


See tasting notes and scores for Charles Curtis MW’s top-scoring Burgundy 2020 wines:


Related content:

Top 2020 Côte Mâconnais en primeur wines

Top 2020 Côte de Nuits en primeur wines

Chablis 2020: Full vintage report and top-scoring wines

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