quicksearch
As early as February, the weather conditions in Chablis were already exceptionally dry and sunny which accelerated the vegetative cycle. As a result, the early April frosts (-8°), which normally cause little damage to the vineyards, had quite severe consequences as the buds where already so advanced.
The flowering, also premature, started early June in excellent climatic conditions. However, the majority of the buds, even if they hadn't been burnt by the frost, were still badly affected by the cold weather. Consequently, this is a year marked by millerandage.
The heatwave started in early June and continued until harvest time, with temperatures averaging over 30° throughout the three summer months. During twelve consecutive days, temperatures soared over 40°, even reaching a record high of 41.7°; no-one in Chablis had ever experienced anything like it !
As a result, all grapes that had been directly exposed to the sun were burned and dehydrated by harvest time. Yields throughout the Chablis vineyards are considerably inferior to the norm and I estimate that we have lost between a quarter and a third of the vintage.
The 'ban des vendanges' was declared on the 25th August this year in Chablis - a month earlier than usual. We started harvesting on the 1st September and had finished by 15th September, something that I have never seen in over 35 years in Chablis !
Older vines, which have a deeper root system, suffered considerably less from the drought and will therefore, produce undoubtedly high quality wines. Even if acidity levels are a little low, the addition of tartaric acid in the vinification will help readjust the wines and find a good balance.
The average age of our vines is over 25 years, therefore, we are happy with the results. However, the younger vines will almost certainly have suffered from the drought and will not produce the same quality of grapes expected from this mythical vintage.
The "mythical" 2003 vintage, will therefore, be compared to such exceptional years as 1947, 1959 and 1976 when the well-balanced wines were truly remarkable. I imagine that this vintage will be marked by power and richness ... I will send you my impressions after the first tastings at the end of October.
