Bordeaux 2009 : a magnificent vintage

Harvesting in Bordeaux

Weather conditions this year have been particularly favourable for the vine’s growth cycle and the grapes’ ripening process.  The months of July and August saw high temperatures and a generous amount of sunshine. This fine weather continued into September, with an alternation between cool nights and warm daytime temperatures.  The grapes ripened ideally and harvests dates are now being staggered. The crops currently being gathered are perfectly healthy.

Hailstorms during the month of March caused significant damage to 15% of the total Bordeaux winegrowing region. The extent of this damage varied considerably from one plot to another, but the result is a decrease in production.

Dry white wines
Harvests of white Sauvignon grapes began on August 27 in the earliest-ripening areas. In September harvesting of this variety became widespread and continued afterwards with the Sémillon. Harvests for dry whites are now finished.

Red wines
Merlot grapes are currently being picked. Harvests of this variety began in mid-September for the earliestripening areas. The berries are intensely aromatic, full of flavour, showing excellent concentration in sugar; the pips are crunchy and the skins appear to have marvellous colour potential. Acidity levels are low; this is an indication of excellent ripeness. Harvests will continue with Cabernet Franc in the first days of October, followed by Cabernet Sauvignon, depending on the earliness of certain terroirs and how ripeness has developed.

Sweet white wines
Gathered by successive stages of manual sorting on the vine, harvests of grapes for sweet white wines have barely begun. Weather conditions at present are ideal for these grapes that undergo the influence of an extremely specific micro-climate. Humidity, in the form of early-morning mists, encourages the work of botrytis cinerea (noble rot), a vital factor for producing these wines. Very warm daytime temperatures dry out the grapes and concentrate all their flavours. The grapes express remarkable aromatic potential.