Burgundy 2008

Burgundy 2008 is much better than it should be. The top reds are the best since 2005 and arguably only bettered by 2005 and 2002 this decade. They are marked by a wonderful brightness and freshness of fruit with sufficient weight and richness to cope with the acidity. The tannins on the whole are fine and ripe, especially if the vigneron in question has resisted the temptation to extract too much in search of extra power and intensity. For those who like comparisons, top Burgundy commentator Bill Nanson has likened the vintage to 1996.

The whites are delicious - a mouthwatering combination of the richness and fun of the 2006s with the precision, minerality and focus that 2007 brought. This amalgamation of opulence and restraint is exactly what makes white Burgundy so exciting and there are lots of wonderful wines this year.

Here's the Bibendum lowdown on the vintage:

1. Top quality whites - a hypothetical blend of the richness of 2006 and the minerality of 2007. Something for everyone

2. Some brilliant reds, especially from the Cote de Nuits - the top growers have done amazingly well given the weather

3. Bibendum's favourite communes include Chassagne-Montrachet & St Aubin (for whites), Gevrey-Chambertin and especially Nuits St-Georges for reds

4. Don't forget the Maconnais - Robert-Denogent's Pouilly-Fuisses are outstanding

5. A vintage to buy - especially for anyone with half an eye on allocations for the highly anticipated 2009s

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Read about the team's trip to the Burgundy on the blog

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