1976 Vintage: General Appreciation
This is in some respects was a vintage that was slightly over-hyped by many and much was given to needing a vintage with some qualities given a string of poor harvests over the past few years. It was an extremely warm summer leading to a drought and an early harvest. The difficulty with the 76’s was the level of tannin which gave the reds a hard edge and creating a somewhat uneven though at their best there are some notable successes.
Red Wines
The reds in general were always to tannic and obtrusively hard and though they looked rich with plenty of volume they are in general overly harsh lacking finesse and elegance. There are some wines that are drinking well now but they still come across a little hard and tough.
White Wines
The whites because of the excessive heat were in danger of being over-ripe and lacking acidity. Packed with rich, spicy fruits and a somewhat lumpy, flabby character. I suspect that most are well over the hill now.

Best Red Wines of the Vintage

Red Wines of the Vintage
Gevrey Chambertin: Chambertin Clos de Bèze (Drouhin), Chambertin Clos de Bèze (Jadot), Chambertin Clos de Bèze (Rousseau), Griotte Chambertin (Drouhin)Morey Saint Denis: Clos de la Roche (Dujac), Clos de la Roche (Rousseau), Clos de Tart (Mommessin)

Chambolle Musigny: Musigny (Jadot), Musigny Vieilles Vignes (Vogüé)

Vougeot: Clos Vougeot (Maison Leroy)

Vosne Romanée: Échezeaux (Dujac)

Aloxe Corton: Corton Pougets (Jadot)

Volnay: Volnay Clos des Ducs (Marquis d’Angerville)