After a 2017 vintage marked by frost and a 2018 marked by mildew, 2019 played with our nerves imposing a great presence and vigilance. The very spread out flowering with relatively cool and rainy weather generated a bit of coulure and millerandage which forced us to eliminate the imperfect berries. The heat waves of June 26 and July 27 caused the most fragile vines to suffer with a slight water stress blocking for a time the vegetative process; the old vines with deep roots have been defending themselves more efficiently. Because of the differences in maturity, a consequence of the spreading flowering, new berries, green in the middle of the reds, had to be eliminated to ensure the quality of the harvest. The rains at the end of August and mid-September finally unblocked everything, without bursting the berries. For several years, the climatic conditions at the end of summer have made it possible to produce exceptionally fine vintages in Bordeaux. This year is no exception, but each plot reacted in its own way according to the exposure and the terroir. Pick-up was done à la carte to find the right maturity for each plot. The cabernets, rigorous at the start, relaxed at the end, finally giving off fatness and silkiness. This year, Petits Verdots seem to promise structure in the mid-palate, with a nice outfit and unusual elegance. The alcoholic fermentations took place without hesitation, and the malolactics were done in stride (co-inoculation of yeasts). An easy vintage in the cellar, no doubt thanks to the quality of the raw material.

The shine of the fruit, the color gain and the density that arrive are positive indicators. 2019 could be as impressive as 2018, or even exceed it. It leaves you imagine it precise, straight, and pure but without the opulence of 2010! Elegance takes shape with particularly good balance and controlled power...