1995 Vintage: General Appreciation
1995 is a very good vintage across both reds and whites and was other than 1991 and 1997 in the case of the reds, the smallest harvest of the 1990’s. The start of the growing season was mild and encouraging though, in May there was even some snow which slowed down the development of the vines. The harvest started well in the Cote de Beaune but by the end of September when the Cote de Nuits started picking in earnest thunderstorms started. Again, it was those who performed severe triage that did the best. There are without doubt some fine examples in both colours.
Red Wines
The best of the reds are concentrated with pronounced tannins that took about 10 years to soften leaving richly fruited, deep flavoured Pinots with good acidity ensuring that they are long-aged. The best of the Premier Crus are still drinking well but most will not improve but remain enjoyable for some time. The best of the Grand Crus have now hit their stride with many having bags of life left in them and no hurry to drink.
White Wines
It was clear from the start that the whites were going to be impressively concentrated. In the key white villages of the Cote de Beaune including Puligny Montrachet yields were down by half. The best of the whites are highly attractive with rich, vibrant flavours and are beautifully balanced. Certainly, the best are still drinking well now though this is the year that by the start of the 2000’s some wines were suffering from what became known as premature oxidation.

 

Best Red Wines of the Vintage

Red Wines of the Vintage

Gevrey Chambertin: Chambertin (Rousseau), Chambertin Clos de Bèze (Faiveley),Chambertin Clos de Bèze (Rousseau), Gevrey Chambertin Cazetieres (Rousseau), Griotte Chambertin (Claude Dugat), Latricières Chambertin (Domaine Leroy), Mazis Chambertin (Dugat-Py), Mazis Chambertin (Roty), Ruchottes Chambertin (Georges Mugneret), Ruchottes Chambertin (Christophe Roumier)

Morey Saint Denis: Clos de la Roche (Dujac), Clos de la Roche (Hubert Lignier), Clos de la Roche (Rousseau), Clos Saint Denis (Dujac), Clos Saint Denis (Jadot)

Chambolle Musigny: Bonnes Mares (Groffier), Bonnes Mares (Roumier), Bonnes Mares (Vogüé), Chambolle Musigny Les Amoureuses (Vogüé), Musigny (Drouhin), Musigny Vieilles Vignes (Vogüé)

Vougeot: Clos Vougeot (Engel), Clos Vougeot (Domaine Leroy)

Vosne Romanée: Échezeaux (Engel), Grands Échezeaux (Engel), Richebourg (Grivot),Richebourg (AF Gros), Richebourg (Anne Gros), Richebourg (Meo Camuzet), Richebourg (Hudelot-Noëllat), Richebourg (Domaine Leroy), La Romanée (Bouchard), Romanée Saint Vivant (Arnoux), Romanée Saint Vivant (Sylvain Cathiard), Romanée Saint Vivant (Hudelot-Noëllat), Vosne Romanée Les Beaux Monts (Grivot), Vosne Romanée Beaumonts (Rouget), Vosne Romanée Aux Brülées (Domaine Leroy), Vosne Romanée Cros Parantoux (Rouget), Vosne Romanée Les Suchots (Arnoux)

Nuits Saint Georges: Nuits Saint Georges Aux Boudots (Meo Camuzet), Nuits Saint Georges Les Cailles (Chevillon), Nuits Saint Georges Les Chaignnots (Georges Mugneret)

Aloxe Corton: Corton Clos Rognet (Meo Camuzet)

Volnay: Volnay Les Caillerets Clos des 60 Ouvrées (Pousse d’Or), Volnay Champans (de Montille), Volnay Clos des Ducs (Marquis d’Angerville), Volnay Santenots de Milieu (Lafon), Volnay Taillpieds (Marquis d’Angerville), Volnay Taillepieds (de Montille)

Pommard: Pommard Les Rugiens (de Montille), Pommard Les Vignots (Domaine Leroy)

 

Best White Wines of the Vintage

White Wines of the Vintage
Pernand Vergelesses/Aloxe Corton: Corton Charlemagne (Bonneau du Martray)

Meursault: Meursault Les Perrieres (Coche Dury)

Puligny Montrachet: Batard Montrachet (Domaine Leflaive), Chevalier Montrachet (Michel Colin-Deleger), Chevalier Montrachet (Domaine Leflaive), Chevalier Montrachet Les Demoiselles (Louis Latour), Montrachet (Bouchard), Montrachet (Lafon), Montrachet (Marquis de Laguiche/Drouhin), Montrachet (Domaine Leflaive), Montrachet (DRC), Puligny Montrachet Champs Canet (Louis Carillon), Puligny Montrachet Les Pucelles (Domaine Leflaive)

Chassagne Montrachet: Bienvenues Batard Montrachet (Ramonet), Batard Montrachet (Jean-Noel Gagnard), Montrachet (Ramonet)