The Best Burgundy Vintages: A Collector’s Guide to the Top Years for Pinot Noir & Chardonnay

Burgundy is one of the most revered wine regions in the world, and for good reason. Its Pinot Noir and Chardonnay are famously transparent, telling the story of vintage, vineyard, and winemaker with every sip. For collectors, sommeliers, and passionate drinkers alike, knowing which years truly stand out can make all the difference when selecting bottles to drink now or ones that will age gracefully.

Come explore the best Burgundy vintages, from recent rising stars to time-tested legends, so you can build a cellar that’s as thoughtful as it is thrilling.

Burgundy in the 2020s and 2010s: Precision Meets Power

The 2022 vintage is already making waves as one of the best in recent memory. A warm, dry growing season produced wines with beautiful balance. The Pinot Noir shows generous fruit and smooth tannins, while the Chardonnay is pure, fresh, and structured. Drinkable young but built to age, 2022 is a modern Burgundy classic.

2018 is considered a legendary vintage, due to one of the hottest and driest growing seasons in recent history. Despite early concerns about ripeness and alcohol levels, producers were able to harvest at their leisure, resulting in generous, sun-kissed wines. The whites are rich yet surprisingly fresh, with many showing excellent potential to age. The reds are bold and fruit-forward, with standout structure in appellations like Vosne-Romanée, Morey-Saint-Denis, and Gevrey-Chambertin. 

2015 was a legendary vintage defined by heat, low yields, and remarkable concentration. Despite a brutally hot summer, vines, especially older ones, bounced back with the help of late-season rain and cooler temperatures. The reds are structured, powerful, and deeply expressive, showing great aging potential without feeling overripe. Whites were less uniform but still strong, leaning toward ripe fruit with slightly lower acidity. Many are drinking beautifully now, but the best reds will continue to evolve for years to come.

2010 was a cooler, more challenging year, but one that delivered elegant, finely structured wines. After a difficult growing season marked by rot, hail, and disease pressure, September sunshine rescued the vintage. Lower yields led to concentrated fruit with lifted acidity and aromatic precision. The reds, especially from the Côte de Nuits, are vibrant and age-worthy, while whites from producers in Volnay and Pommard also shine. A classic vintage for Burgundy purists, with many wines drinking well today and still improving.

Burgundy in the 2000s and Late 1990s: Value and Grace

2005 is one of Burgundy’s most celebrated vintages, widely regarded as legendary. Growing conditions were near-perfect, with healthy flowering, a dry summer, and minimal disease pressure. Yields were modest but concentrated, and both Pinot Noir and Chardonnay achieved excellent balance. The reds are structured, deep, and built for long-term aging, while the whites combine richness with vibrant acidity. Many are still evolving and have years of life ahead.

2000 was a generous, early-drinking vintage that offered freshness and charm. While summer rot and inconsistent weather required careful sorting, ideal conditions returned in August, helping the fruit recover. The reds are bright and supple with low acidity, especially enjoyable in their youth. Some top wines from the Côte de Nuits have aged surprisingly well, but most bottles from this vintage are now best enjoyed sooner rather than later.

1999 was an outstanding vintage that delivered ripe, balanced wines across both Côte de Beaune and Côte de Nuits. Warm September weather created ideal ripening conditions for both Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, leading to rich, expressive wines. The reds, especially from Grand and Premier Cru vineyards, are still drinking beautifully and aging with grace. Whites are less consistent due to premature oxidation issues common at the time, but the top reds remain some of the most collectible from the late 20th century.

Burgundy in the Early 1990s and Earlier: Timeless Treasures

1990 is a legendary Burgundy vintage and one of the most celebrated of the 20th century. A hot, dry summer followed a cool spring, producing small, concentrated berries and a generous crop. The reds are rich, structured, and deeply layered, showing remarkable balance between power and finesse. While some early critics noted slightly firm tannins, the wines have aged beautifully and continue to deliver. Whites were also strong, though many lacked the acidity to age as long. Today, the best reds from the Côte de Nuits and Côte de Beaune remain in peak form.

1985 was another legendary year that produced graceful, beautifully balanced wines. Despite a brutally cold winter and a hailstorm in Aloxe-Corton, the summer and harvest seasons were warm, dry, and steady—ideal for slow, even ripening. The reds are known for their elegance, soft tannins, and lingering complexity, while top whites offered freshness and charm early on. While some bottles peaked years ago, reds from top producers still drink well today and command high prices on the secondary market.

Final Thoughts: Curating a Burgundy Cellar That Lasts

From the structured power of 2005 and 1990 to the ripeness of 2018 and the richness of 2022, the best Burgundy vintages reflect the heart of this region, its unpredictability, its beauty, and its singular ability to bottle time and place. Whether you’re buying to drink or to cellar, these vintages offer a roadmap for discovering Burgundy at its best.

For wine lovers looking to invest in iconic years or simply enjoy a perfect bottle at dinner, there has never been a better time to explore the top Burgundy wine vintages. Let your palate guide you, your curiosity lead you, and these vintages light the way.

The Best Burgundy Vintages in a Glance: