A mild Winter and Spring with average temperatures 1.5° higher than those of the past 20 years gave an early bud break at the end of March. Then two episodes of frost fell on France; a white frost on April 20 followed by a terrible black frost on the nights of April 27, 28 and 29. The entire French vineyard was affected, Bordeaux on average 40%, 65% for us! The frost did not prevent an early flowering and veraison with 1 to 2 weeks of advance and the great heterogeneity of flowering between frozen vines and those saved was reduced during veraison. Despite the absence of rains in April and May, those of June made it possible to ensure a normal water supply until veraison. Then summer put the vineyard on a dry diet.
Sea entried in late August and early September allowed it to withstand stress. The rainy episode in mid-September raised concerns with the development of botrytis foci. But they did not develop thanks to the return of the sun at the end of the month. For the harvest, the health of the vineyard was great and at the beginning of October, everything was picked up by machine in 3 days in order to take advantage of the small favorable climatic window. Phew! Conversely, the fermentations took place easily and very quickly. Everything was ended in early December; for the 1st time! It was a soothing conclusion. The blending was finalized in mid-January and given the high proportion of alcoholic fermentation in barrels (69%) and the delicacy of the tannins in the blended wine, we only retained 18% new oak to raise it. Great potential with surprising quality for such a terrible season.

I don't like the frost!