Only the dry September saved the 2021 vintage, at least where it was possible to withstand the diseases until then. The calm, dry and generally cool conditions in autumn allowed for a relaxed harvest in most cases. It was possible to use the hanging time for more substance and aroma yield without fear of further disease pressure or too much sugar formation.
The results of the 2021 wines are quite heterogeneous, and this, it seems to us, is particularly pronounced in the white Pinot varieties. Where everything is right, the wines have power and expression with moderate alcohol, finesse, tension and sometimes downright nobility; at the other end, there are thin, dull, indifferent, sometimes even dull and bitter wines - and that in isolated cases even from wineries from which we are used to completely different qualities.
2020, on the other hand, offers a long series of excellent wines, which is of course also due to the fact that many wineries bring their best wines to market late. Similar to the 2018 vintage, the dryness made for a pronounced phenolic, which, however, gives the sometimes quite powerful wines additional backbone. Overall, 2020 seems to us to be the more convincing vintage for Pinot varieties, but those who like it lean and fresh are often better served with the good 21s. In any case, it is important to choose carefully.
Among the whites Pinot varieties we count Pinot Blanc and Pinot Gris, Auxerrois and Chardonnay, even if the latter does not directly belong to the immediate family genetically. The white-pressed Pinot Noirs are considered in a separate Pinot Noir theme.
In total, we have tasted well over 500 wines from the varieties mentioned, of which we present the best here. In addition, we have selected the most convincing wines up to 10 euros for you. Links to all results with detailed wine descriptions as well as the producers can be found at the end of each of the best lists.