2006 Harvest: an excellent vintage after some concerns about the weather

After a very wet and mild autumn and winter we had excellent levels of water reserves in the soil by March 2006. Spring and summer were very warm, dry and windy. In fact, excluding the 2003 heat wave, 2006 was the hottest summer on record over the past fifteen years. There was light rainfall around 15th August followed by abundant rains in September with the equinox rains providing the water needed for the berries to ripen fully.

Harvesting began on 18th September with our usual team of 30 harvesters. Everything went smoothly, in a joyous and happy atmosphere. We luckily got the harvest in before periods of heavy rainfall at the end of September and early October. The 2006 harvest was finally low in volume but excelled in health and quality.

A highly satisfactory result therefore: berries rich in colour, aromas and sugar content which should yield aromatic and rich wines with fine, elegant tannins. We make our final blends at the end of January or in early February along with our cellar master Patrick Blanchard and our oenologist Marc Dubernet. We can’t wait to try them!