The weather 

This was the year of the three 22s. On April 22^nd a severe frost severely depleted the potential crop, albeit not quite as disastrously as in the Médoc. Hail followed on June 22^nd in Gevrey-Chambertin and again on August 22^nd in Chambolle-Musigny. If the flowering had not been successful these aspects would have meant a very small crop. As it was, the shortfalls were localised, depending on the strength of the frost and hail problems in any given site.

July and August were fine, dry and hot, with the good weather continuing through most of September. The Ban de Vendanges was declared on September 24^th and most grapes were picked quite rapidly thereafter, as the weather deteriorated right at the end of the month.

First impressions 

Whites were thought to be of reasonable quality and the reds rather better, with the hail having affected volume rather than quality. The market was so morose, however, that there was very little discussion of the 1991 vintage at the outset, and very little trading in it. The bulk market collapsed and there were parcels of Meursault being retailed at under £10 a bottle on Britain’s high streets.

The wines in bottle 

The white wines never really captured the imagination, but there were some attractive wines to be found. The reds however developed into firm favourites, in several instances eclipsing their older brothers from 1990. They were ripe, showed good vineyard definition and displayed an admirable sense of balance and precision. A few have been superlative, almost all very enjoyable; some will stay the course further – although I do not imagine there are many bottles left in captivity.