The vintage
Another one that will be remembered. Another year when people said "I've never seen anything like it", and those who can remember have to go back 20 or 30 years to recall a vintage when such efforts had to be made to protect our vines. Never before has frost affected the whole of France so severely. It came without warning, with an insolent air, like an unwanted guest who would not leave and did not abide by any rules. In Rieussec, where we were hit the worst, we had to accept that, with temperatures around -9°C, countermeasures were of little use.
Spring took its time to arrive, almost seeming late after the early years we have experienced recently. The start of the vines’ growth went smoothly, with flowering taking place at the end of May in good conditions.
However, this was not to last: with a rainy June and July, the humidity climbed... and patches of mildew began appearing on the vines. This was a particularly sensitive year because of our now official conversion to organic farming. Under unstable skies, the véraison (when the grapes change colour) began in mid-July, continuing into mid-August for recalcitrant berries. Fortunately, the next two weeks through to early September were brighter and, as is sometimes the case in Bordeaux, transformed the grapes and saved the vintage. The dry whites will be deliciously fresh and aromatic.
Spring took its time to arrive, almost seeming late after the early years we have experienced recently. The start of the vines’ growth went smoothly, with flowering taking place at the end of May in good conditions.
However, this was not to last: with a rainy June and July, the humidity climbed... and patches of mildew began appearing on the vines. This was a particularly sensitive year because of our now official conversion to organic farming. Under unstable skies, the véraison (when the grapes change colour) began in mid-July, continuing into mid-August for recalcitrant berries. Fortunately, the next two weeks through to early September were brighter and, as is sometimes the case in Bordeaux, transformed the grapes and saved the vintage. The dry whites will be deliciously fresh and aromatic.
Varietals
Sauvignon blanc : 59%
Sémillon : 41%
Sémillon : 41%
Tasting
Expressive, complex nose, underscored by a lovely freshness, characteristic of this 2021 vintage. Some notes of tropical fruit in the initial nose, predominantly passion fruit, followed by floral notes with a hint of aniseed, suggesting fennel and tarragon. The wine’s minerality and concentration are already apparent in the nose.
On the palate, the attack is round and full, with subtle notes of fresh butter. This is followed by superb notes of freshly cut wood which contribute to the wine’s concentration and purity. A sensation of minerality underscores the entire palate, with warm notes of flint, reminiscent of summer walks on the pebbles at Etretat beach. The finish is concentrated and long, balanced by a pleasant hint of bitterness.
On the palate, the attack is round and full, with subtle notes of fresh butter. This is followed by superb notes of freshly cut wood which contribute to the wine’s concentration and purity. A sensation of minerality underscores the entire palate, with warm notes of flint, reminiscent of summer walks on the pebbles at Etretat beach. The finish is concentrated and long, balanced by a pleasant hint of bitterness.