Vintage guides are all well and good but they can only serve in the most generalised sense. In the case of Burgundy generic pronouncements concerning vintages are not especially useful as Burgundy is a patchwork quilt of vineyards where most are shared by a number of grower/producer families and consequently, individual plot sizes are miniscule (most under 1ha). There is therefore more control especially at the time of harvest for individual growers to make and take decisions that can impact more significantly on the outcome of the wine.
Naturally, each growing season brings with it specific characteristics that impact any vintage but in Burgundy, of greater significance than any particular vintage is the grower/domaine/producer and then individual tastes in terms of specific preferences for villages and vineyards. The differences between for example a Puligny 1er Cru Les Folatieres from a top domaine/producer as compared with one that is merely adequate is profound. Furthermore, if you like the wines of Domaine Armand Rousseau, the chances are that you will enjoy better a Rousseau Gevrey Chambertin Clos Saint Jacques from what is considered a mediocre vintage than one from a mediocre domaine/producer from what commentators would call an outstanding vintage.
Vintage Appreciation and Tasting
In terms of appreciating wines from various vintages it is worth considering the following general elements:
