Weather Conditions

»The 2016 growing season was marked by extremes, records and luck. The two extreme situations were torrential rain in winter and spring amounting to a full year’s normal precipitation (the first record), followed by a tremendously dry, sunny autumn (2016 was even hotter around the world than the previous record holders, 2014 and 2015). Wet, mild weather from January to March brought about early bud break. The rain continued throughout the spring, accompanied by low temperatures.

Then three lucky breaks occurred:

1. A wonderful window of opportunity opened up during the wet spring; it was wide enough to enable flowering to take place quickly and evenly. Capricious spring weather nevertheless implied a late-ripening year, so we very much hoped for a fine Indian summer. Fortunately, beautiful warm weather set in beginning on June 24th, by which time 80 % of the precipitation in 2016 had already been recorded. On the contrary, the month of July will be remembered for high temperatures and the total absence of rain.

2. Thanks to two light showers on July 30th and August 4th, véraison (colour change) took place as evenly as flowering did. Conditions at the height of summer (26 % more sunshine than usual, accompanied by water stress) were ideal for ripening. In addition, the temperate range, i. e. the gap between highs and lows, set new records. Cool nights locked in fresh fruit aromas and were conducive to the synthesis of anthocyanins. Despite drought conditions (this was the driest summer in Bordeaux since 1893), water stress was only moderate. Vines in all plots, including the estate’s great gravel terroirs, took advantage of deep rooting enhanced by working the soil. The vines were thus able to seek nourishment from a water table filled to the brim by spring showers.

3. Third lucky break: miraculous rainfall on September 13th giving a new impetus to ripening. The leaves stayed green until October and the vines looked every bit as beautiful as in 2015. The doubts we had in spring gradually gave way to joy.«

»The beautiful, warm, sunny weather continued into September and October. These two outstanding months enabled grapes in every plot to reach perfect ripeness. Picking began on the 26th of September and there was no need to hurry. Merlot grapes were harvested over ten mornings, until the 6th of October. We waited until the 11th of that month to start on Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc, and Cabernet Sauvignon. This amounted to fifteen days of picking spread over four weeks, during which gorgeous, large bunches could be picked at the ideal moment! The Merlot grapes were big, whereas the Cabernets were verysmall. Yieldsweregenerous,onthewhole,andthefruitwasinsuperbcondition.

The WINES are deeply-coloured, with round tannin and high phenolic content. The Merlot wines have wonderful fruit, whereas the Cabernets display high-quality tannin and an extraordinary texture. 2016 is fruity, concentrated, powerful, and elegant. Great years always come in pairs …«