Grand Cru Classé Pessac-Léognan

Winter was wet and mild. The vines awoke to the new growing season mid-March and developed quickly thanks to a beautiful month of April. The abrupt arrival of cool weather in late May slowed the early vintage. Flowering took place under good conditions for the Cabernets, but Merlots were affected by coulure and millerandage. Growth continued, but at a slower rhythm in July and August. The vineyard team worked hard to keep the vines clean and healthy, allowing them to channel their vigour into the fruit. The berries grew in size, but ripened very slowly. Fortunately, after the vegetative growth halted at the end of August, true summer weather arrived in September (the warmest since 1921 and 1961) and saved the vintage. The grapes decreased in size, became more concentrated, and still had a full month to ripen. The harvest began, in no great rush, on the morning of September 24th. The « grands Merlots », the organic plots, and the wonderful gravelly hilltop, home to our old vines were picked starting on the 30th. Perfect weather – dry and radiant – meant that the harvest could take place over a 22-day period (with 12 days of picking).