2019, Structure, colour, healthy grapes : A superb vintage
2019 witnessed a normal rainy spring, after an exceptionally rainy spring in 2018.
The autumn and winter rainfalls (460 mm) launched the vegetative period and provided the soils with good water reserves. April and May were moderately cold, marked by fast -and then suddenly slow- growing periods. This phenomenon can trigger coulure (= failure of the fruit to set. The growing season was very with only 158 mm total rainfall (against 530 mm in 2018 and 185 mm in 2017). It was also very hot, with 7 every 10 days exceeding 30°C (86°F) between 1st June and 15th September. At the end of June, a heat wave hit the region, peaking at 44.3°C (111.2°F) on 28th June.
In the face of these extreme weather conditions, the foliage did rather well. The water shortage however impacted the size of the berries that remained comparatively small. By harvest time, the grapes were showing a beautiful sanitary state albeit a low yield in juice. The 15 mm rainfall on 18 September was rather welcome and allowed the grenache grapes to reach phenolic maturity. The yield is slightly up from average, compared to the last few years.
Côtes-du-Rhône
Villages Terre d’Argile
Les Garrigues
2018, Ripeness and balance
One must go back several decades to find such a rainy spring. Fortunately, we were spared the traditional September equinox rain , thus allowing the wine growers to harvest in total peace of mind until late autumn. The 2018 Châteauneuf-du-Pape reds and whites have been produced from grapes that presented excellent sanitary conditions, they are characterised by optimal ripeness and a nice length on the palate.
With a total rainfall of 520 mm during the growing season and the sum of temperatures -base 10°C -reaching 2252 over the period from 1st March to 30th September, this year witnessed outbreaks of mildew, among the most important in the last few years. Fortunately, the high summer temperatures and the mild September nights contributed to excellent quality grapes. Early maturation and thick skins characterized the red varietals, and particularly grenache; these were vinified in a continued effort to respect aromatic potentials during extraction.
Côtes-du-Rhône
Côtes-du-Rhône
Archives / Millesimes
2010
2010, QUANTITATIVELY LOW BUT QUALITATIVELY HIGH
With an average yield of 27 hl/ha (for 35 hl/ha authorised in the appellation’s specifications), the 2010 vintage will be remembered as one of the lowest in terms of volumes produced, and one of the highest in terms of the quality of the grapes harvested and the wines made from them.
2011
2011, EXCEPTIONAL CONDITIONS FOR THE HARVEST
With a normal yield estimated at 33hl/ha, the 2011 harvest in Châteauneuf-du-Pape returns to its quantity standards, leaving behind the last few years of low volume crops. Even if the wines are not finished yet, we already have a good idea of the quality of 2011. The weather conditions during the harvest helped immensely, allowing the grapes to be picked at optimal maturity.
2012
2013
2013, IS AN EIGHTIES’ VINTAGE
The vineyards of Chateauneuf-du-Pape gave birth to a 2013 vintage marked by late maturities, and very similar to the ones of the 80’s in many respects. Though safe from the worst effects of the weather conditions that affected many regions -notably hail- it is characterized by low yields and an atypical balance in which fruit prevails over strength.
2014
2014, A VINTNER’S VINTAGE
The 2014 vintage in Châteauneuf-du-Pape is what is commonly called a “vintner’s vintage”, in the sense that the work done in the vines all along the seasons was a key factor to achieve a great result. The working year – which started early in the spring and finished late in the autumn – was an exhausting year, where experience and anticipation proved to be precious allies to produce beautiful grapes.
2015
2015, A GENEROUS VINTAGE
Marked by several periods of strong heat and a few timely thundery storms, the 2015 vintage in Châteauneuf-du-Pape may already and in all aspects be qualified as generous. Generous in colour, generous in structure, in ripeness. Generous also in quantity, a rare occurrence for an appellation known for its low yields.
2016
2016, A FABULOUS VINTAGE
As autumn is drawing to a close and the wine presses have been washed and put away, the first wines tasted before being blended confirm what had been sensed: 2016 is going to be a fabulous vintage! And if some compare it to the magnificent 2010, some others do not hesitate to go as far as the famous star-vintage 1990… Either way, the evidence that we are witnessing the making of a great vintage is clear.
2017
2017, A RARE AND EXCELLENT VINTAGE
Exceptional in many aspects, 2017 witnessed weather records that led to an early and small harvest. The main characteristic of this vintage however is certainly the outstanding quality of the wines produced. Well