2016 Vosne-Romanée Champs Perdrix

“We were massacred by the frost in Chambolle, Savigny and the south side of Marsannay,” said Bruno Clair in January, adding that his estate produced just 35% of a normal crop in 2016. But he added that he had only half a crop in 2015, and roughly the same production in 2013, 2012 and 2010 as well. The estate began harvesting on September 23 with grape sugars around 12% and chaptalized about half a degree. In comparison, potential alcohol levels were at least 13% in 2015 (13.5% for the Bonnes-Mares) and no chaptalization was done.

Cellarmaster Philippe Brun vinified most of the ‘16s with 20% to 25% whole clusters. The malos were protracted, typically lasting until August, and the wines had been racked and assembled in November. Clair described 2016 as “a classic vintage with less excesses of heat and drought than 2015, and a set of wines that should age well. Only the frost was a problem, and the wines have good balance and structure.” Brun added that he prefers the more linear 2016s and that he finds the 2015s "a bit too rich, even if they avoided any cooked taste. But we'll see in ten years."