Rich and sunny
In spite of a rainy month of July, the end of summer has been remarkably sunny and warm. Such vintages are often described as “easy” for the growers, but things are not as simple as they look. Of course, the work in the vineyard is not as difficult and frustrating when they is no threat from usual vine diseases, but such situations, when grapes ripen so quickly (too quickly) raise other questions. Firstly the difficult choice of the best harvest date, but also more fundamental issues such as the necessity to reconsider some aspects of the work we do in the vineyard to adapt to the changing behaviour of our vines. The wines are impressively powerful and hearty, but also full of energy, with no sign of overripeness. I have no doubt about their exceptional aging potential, and I only recommend a long patience to those who are more inclined towards finesse than power.