Château Paradis Casseuil Sélection Spéciale

The year 2022 stoud out greatly from the previous vintage. Its only similarity with 2021 was the fear of spring frost, which fortunately came earlier this year and had less impact thanks to late pruning. Budding started in the last days of March, with only three days ahead, after a moderately rainy winter. Although the heart of winter was very cold (our bees survived), this period did not last and February was mild. April brought contrasting temperatures, but by May, the sunny character of the vintage asserted itself, leading to an early, rapid, and high-quality flowering. A first heatwave occurred mid-June (leaf stripping was abandoned), followed by two more in July and August. Water deficit was felt as early as mid-June, limited by significant thunderstorms at the end of June. The next rains only arrived mid-August, after the third heatwave that affected the foliage. The hot and dry conditions significantly reduced berry size and crop volume. The vines and grapes overall resisted well to the extreme summer conditions. Except for the younger plants and some very dry plots, the vines looked magnificent in early September, and the ripening of red grapes happened under very good conditions. Harvest began on September 9th for the Merlots from the early terroirs and ended before the end of the month. The Cabernets were harvested on October 4.