It is unusual for a vintage in Burgundy to be great for both reds and whites, but 1996 is such a year. The weather during the summer was fairly unremarkable but the vintage was made by a very fine, sunny September, with warm days and cool nights, which ripened and concentrated the fruit, while preserving the acidities. Consequently the 1996 White Burgundies offer purity, clarity, highly concentrated ripe fruit and lively yet well-integrated acidity.

It was a very large vintage and the temptation for some growers was to overcrop - consequently this is a vintage to stick with the best growers, who are traditionally quality, rather than quantity, orientated. The best wines have richness and intensity, with the structure and acidity levels that will ensure longevity.