Why Our 2019 French Reds Are Destined to Be Classically Great

The 2019 season was full of risk and that’s part of why the wines are so rewarding.

• A dry, warm winter depleted soil moisture heading into spring.

• Early warmth was followed by frost in April that reduced yields, especially in the Côte de Beaune.

• During flowering there were issues like coulure and millerandage, further thinning the crop and concentrating what remained.

These stresses forced the vines and growers to make every remaining grape count. The result? Grapes with smaller berries, thicker skins, intense flavour profiles.

There were hot spells, two big waves of heat in June and July, with temperatures exceeding 40°C. Normally, such heat would threaten overcooked, jammy flavours and high alcohols. But in 2019 something shifted:

• On the back end of the season—late August into early September, cool northern winds arrived, drying the grapes and preserving acids even as sugars built up.

• This allowed the fruit to ripen fully and retain freshness.

What we have now are wines that offer lush, ripe fruit without heaviness; plush textures without loss of structure; expressiveness without volatility.

We believe 2019 is a turning point, one that shows how much winemaking in Burgundy (and more broadly in French reds) has evolved:

• More precise canopy management.

• Thoughtful harvest timing.

• Gentler extraction and greater attention to detail during winemaking.

• Use of whole-bunch fermentation not as a trend, but as a tool to balance warmth and add dimension.

These methods met the challenge of a warm yet variable vintage and delivered wines with bones, complexity, and longevity.

One of the most impressive things about 2019 is that excellence isn’t reserved only for the star vineyards: the floor under Burgundy (and many French red regions) has been raised.

• Even at more modest appellation levels, we taste clarity, depth, and structure we don’t always see.

• Premier Cru and Grand Cru bottlings are showing profound ageing potential—yet also charm and lift now.

This means there are terrific opportunities both for those who want to enjoy now and those planning for long-term cellaring.

2019 isn’t just ‘a great year’; it’s a kind of milestone.

• Climate change has been reshaping winegrowing for some time, and in 2019 many of the newer challenges were met with confidence and expertise.

• The outcome suggests that when warm vintages happen, they don’t necessarily have to mean loss of freshness or imbalanced wines.

• It represents what Burgundy (and French red wine more broadly) can achieve when traditional craftsmanship, smart vineyard work, and modern vinification come together.

Because of all the above, when we had the chance, we committed to buying large of the 2019 vintage. Here’s why we believe it’s a vintage for both enjoyment and investment:

• Immediate Pleasure: The wines show ripe fruit, plush textures, lifted aromas. They’re approachable now without feeling unfinished.

• Ageability: Strong tannins, acidity, structure, enough to cellar for 15-30 years, depending on the cru.

• Value Depth: With the quality so high across levels, there are some hidden gems at village and lower Premier Cru tiers that are still relatively accessible.

• A Modern Benchmark: 2019 will likely be looked back on like 1990 or 2005—as a reference point for what great French red wine can look like in the modern era.

We’re currently offering selections of our 2019 red French wines. Whether you’re building your cellar, searching for a special gift, or simply want something splendid to drink now, our 2019s offer something rare: finesse, power, and longevity wrapped in classic style.

If you’d like, we can walk you through specific terroirs, cuvées, or ageing potential, so you can choose what best aligns with your taste and goals.