Top Burgundy Vintages to Drink or Hold: Red and White Collector’s Guide

Jul 18, 2025by David Bachus

Whether you’re building out your cellar or opening something special this weekend, this is your essential guide to Burgundy’s greatest vintages—both red (Pinot Noir) and white (Chardonnay).

What Are the Best Burgundy Vintages of the Last 50 Years?

The best Burgundy vintages strike a rare balance between ripeness, freshness, and terroir transparency. For reds, it’s about vibrant acidity, fine-grained tannins, and aromatic lift. For whites, purity, minerality, and tension are key.

Best Red Burgundy Vintages (Côte d’Or – Pinot Noir)

Vintage Why It’s Great
1978 Old-school structure and stunning complexity. Rare and regal.
1990 Ripe, elegant, and fully mature. A joy to drink now.
1999 One of the finest modern vintages. Power and finesse.
2002 Exceptionally balanced. Ripe, fresh, and aging gracefully.
2005 Textbook Burgundy: structured, age-worthy, and precise.
2010 Cool vintage with crystalline clarity and minerality.
2015 Ripe and generous without losing terroir expression.
2019 Silky, perfumed, and vibrant. Built to age.
2020 Intense, compact, and focused. Low yields, high quality.

Bonus tips – drinking beautifully now:

  • 2001 – A sleeper vintage that’s aged gracefully. Classic structure and aromatic finesse.

  • 2002 – Fresh and harmonious, showing excellent balance.

  • 2009 – Plush, ripe, and seductive. Many wines are in a perfect spot right now.

  • 2008 and 2012 – Underrated and offering great value.

Best White Burgundy Vintages (Côte de Beaune & Chablis – Chardonnay)

Vintage Why It’s Great
1985 Aged white Burgundy at its finest. Rare survivors.
1996 Laser-sharp acidity and long-lived brilliance.
2002 Beautifully balanced with richness and drive.
2004 Tense, bright whites from Chablis to Puligny.
2010 Absolute clarity and site expression. Benchmark year.
2014 High acid and stunning purity. One of the best of the decade.
2017 Fresh, mineral-driven, and accessible.
2020 Ripe fruit preserved by crisp acidity. Bold and age-worthy.

Note: 2018 and 2019 whites are rounder and more generous; delicious now, but not built for the long haul like 2010 or 2014.

Red vs White Burgundy: Key Differences for Collectors

Red Burgundy White Burgundy
Grape Variety Pinot Noir Chardonnay
Key Villages Gevrey-Chambertin, Vosne-Romanée, Chambolle-Musigny Meursault, Puligny-Montrachet, Chablis
Aging Profile 10–30+ years (top Crus) 5–20 years (depending on vintage)
Collector Caution Sensitive to storage; rewards patience Premature oxidation risk in early 2000s

Best Burgundy Vintages by Drinking Window

Ready to Drink Now:

  • Reds: 1990, 1999, 2001, 2002, 2008, 2009, 2012

  • Whites: 2002, 2004, 2014, 2017

Drink or Hold:

  • Reds: 2005, 2010, 2015, 2019

  • Whites: 2010, 2014, 2020

Hold for the Long Haul:

  • Reds: 2019, 2020

  • Whites: 2020, 2021

Tips for New Collectors

  • Start with Premier Cru bottlings to get top quality at approachable prices.

  • Red Burgundy takes time. Most top-tier wines need at least a decade.

  • White Burgundy from cooler vintages (like 2010 or 2014) has serious aging potential.

  • The most important rule in Burgundy: producer trumps vintage. Know the domaine, trust the site.

FAQ: Burgundy Vintages

What’s the most collectible red Burgundy vintage?
1999 and 2005 are top-tier for age-worthy reds. 1978 is the holy grail for older collectors.

How long can white Burgundy age?
Top whites (e.g., Corton-Charlemagne, Montrachet) can go 10–20 years or more in great vintages like 2010 or 2014.

What should I avoid?
Some early 2000s white vintages (e.g., 2006, 2007) suffered from premature oxidation. Ask about storage history.

Is 2015 Burgundy a buy?
Yes and for early pleasure. It’s a ripe vintage that shows well young but still has structure.

Ready to Explore Burgundy?

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