Boudeaux 2012 - Dourthe

Vignobles Dourthe

Harvest 2012: Almost perfect summer conditions follow an unsettled spring

"Yet another year where Mother Nature kept us on our toes. With changeable, fresh and humid conditions from April to mid-July creating challenging conditions for flowering, our teams had to really excel in the vineyards to tackle a whole range of problems.

Patience and a relentless approach at work paid off once again. For Mother Nature can also be kind, and with almost ideal conditions for fruit ripening since mid-July with sunshine, warmth and wind in just the right measure, and for a few days  now, cooler nights. Possibly a drop more rainfall would be ideal. These very favourable conditions have been forecast to last at least another week.

Today, with the harvest in sight, the vines are magnificent, and the whites are on the verge of picking. The reds, with albeit slightly disappointing yields, are ripening well.

We are keen to taste the first Sauvignon blanc musts from Ch la Garde this week, and we remain very hopeful with regards to the reds, as we calmly monitor their progress across the different vineyards."

Patrick Jestin, DOURTHE

Château La Garde: 2nd of May, 2012

A cold winter and unsettled spring

After a cold winter - in fact the coldest February recorded since 1963 - the almost summer-like second half of March promoted rapid budburst in the early-ripening zones (end of march).

April

A gloomy April quickly slowed down growth, with temperatures 2 degrees lower than the usual 30s and record rainfall for the last 20 years, with a mean average of almost 180mm, compared to 130mm in 94 and 95.  In spring, water logged soils severely disrupted any mechanical work in the vineyards.

May

The hike in temperature and humid conditions promoted an explosion in shoot growth - 15-20cm per week! By quickly removing the excess shoots across the vineyard, we were able to control any competition between the foliage and the flower as it develops. Flowering began right at the end of May in the very early-ripening zones, as the temperatures began to increase around May 25th.

Château Le Boscq: 5th of June, 2012

Delayed flowering: Mid-June - mid-July

Extremely changeable weather from mid-June onwards alternated between fine and hot and wet and cold periods. Flowering was stalled as a result from this point forwards. Coulure, which is a particular problem in old Merlot, and hen and chicken, will both undoubtedly affect volumes.

Weather conditions during these two months were also conducive to attacks of mildew, powdery mildew and other diseases, which brought further complications to our work in the vineyard.

"This year, we have had to regulate vine growth boosted by bouts of hot and humid weather, and virtually at the same time carry out essential shoot removal, leaf thinning, budstripping and training the vine shoots on wire, whilst striving to effectively combat disease. Planning and executing these different tasks was particularly arduous.  As well as being particularly demanding on our teams, a certain number of risks are also involved in the process. And this is the price you pay for grape quality..." Frédéric Bonnaffous - Vignobles DOURTHE Head winemaker.

At the time we noted uneven development in the different growth stages, as a result of delayed budburst, slow flowering, sometimes even on the same vine. The growth cycle seems delayed.

Château La Garde: 27th of August, 2012

A magnificent summer, providing ideal conditions for ripening

"Superb weather has set in since mid-July, followed by a very hot, sunny and dry August. These superb conditions speeded up veraison and the onset of ripening. We are focusing on the best quality grapes and eliminating  any uneven bunches." F.Bonnaffous

Veraison is complete, or at least should not be long for the later-ripening reds (Ch Pey La Tour). Some rain would be welcome.

Diurnal temperature variations have been more pronounced since mid-August, promoting aromatic character in the berries, particularly in the case of the whites, which are ripening really well.

"I imagine the first bunches of Sauvignon blanc will be picked at Chateau la Garde, 5th or 6th September and we will continue steadily as the grapes ripen throughout week beginning 10th September. The grapes are yet very sweet and aromatic." F. Bonnaffous.

The reds are slowly ripening. We are currently closely monitoring ripeness levels.

"If we continue to enjoy this good weather with also a bit more rain, we could start bringing in the reds late September or very early October." F. Bonnaffous.

6th September: the first Sauvignon Blanc plot harvested at Chateau La Garde - Pessac-Léognan

Once again, the Chateau La Garde whites launch the official start of the grape harvest at Vins et Vignobles Dourthe.

 "We started to pick the first Sauvignon Blanc bunches early this morning, until 10.30am, to retain the freshness from the night temperatures, which have been so good to us for several days now.  With good balance and acidity, we can wait until next week to harvest the rest of the Sauvignon Blanc and Sauvignon Gris, the dominant grape varieties in the vineyard, and the recently planted Semillon, which for the first time is part of the Chateau La Garde Blanc harvest ..."

Frederic Bonnaffous - Headwinemaker, Vignobles Dourthe

7th September: The start of the Sauvignon Blanc harvest for Dourthe La Grande Cuvee

and Dourthe No. 1

"...Under persistently clear blue skies we started picking the most early-ripening parcels of Sauvignon Blanc destined for Dourthe No. 1 and Dourthe la Grande Cuvee. Harvesting will follow the different selected parcels as they reach full ripeness, to attain the entire aromatic palette that makes up our trademark Sauvignon blanc

style. The cool night temperatures are welcome during ripening..."  Patrick Jestin - Dourthe President

More to follow...

Contact : marie-helene.inquimbert@dourthe.com<mailto:adv.chr@groupethienotfrance.com>

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