2024 will be remembered as a demanding and modest year, shaped by unusual weather patterns. Supported by a drier and brighter month of August, the vintage shows clean, well-defined balance and excellent readability of terroirs in the Côte de Beaune — in both white and red wines.
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The 2024 season required constant vigilance: rainfall above seasonal norms, localised frost and hail episodes, and sustained disease pressure. More stable late-summer weather allowed the harvest to be approached with confidence. In the Côte d’Or, picking for still wines began in mid-September, under clearer, sunnier skies.
At Domaine Jean Monnier & Fils, attention focused on soil management and canopy guidance (debudding, trellising, selective leaf-thinning) to balance grape protection, airflow, and vegetative growth across Meursault, Puligny-Montrachet, Volnay, Pommard, and Beaune (see Our Terroirs).
After a mild winter, budburst was early; a sharp cooldown in mid-April caused localised frost. Early May brought hailstorms to certain sectors; flowering, under unstable weather, unfolded in two phases.
The consequences: coulure, millerandage, more open clusters, and reduced yield potential — all factors that later contributed to the clarity of the juices.
Véraison began around July 20 in the Côte d’Or. The warmer, drier conditions of August improved vineyard health and favoured steady ripening; mid-September sunshine allowed for a precise harvest window, with alcohol levels often lower than in recent years. Across the region, sugar/acid balance was considered favourable, consistent with the final profile: fresh, clean, and brilliantly clear wines.
Chardonnay — Meursault, Puligny-Montrachet, Beaune: canopy management (trellising, selective leaf-thinning) ensured both protection and airflow during a humid spring, supporting steady ripening.
Pinot Noir — Volnay, Pommard, Beaune: soil care and well-timed interventions helped maintain berry integrity to full maturity, with particular attention to canopy ventilation.
This approach is fully aligned with the spirit of Our Philosophy.
Harvest began in mid-September under drier, sunnier weather, making it possible to align picking dates with the true maturity of each parcel.
For reds, extractions were measured to preserve supple tannins; for whites, gentle pressing and discreet barrel ageing ensured clarity and purity of the juices.
Modest in volume but meticulous in expression, 2024 combines freshness and precision — in Chardonnay (straightforward profile, lively finish) and Pinot Noir (precise fruit, fine tannins).
Lower alcohol levels than in previous years reinforce this clarity.
For broader context and regional insights, consult the Bourgogne Wine Board (BIVB).
