The Primeurs’ week started on April, 8th in Bordeaux : more than 6 000 wine professionals will be tasting the 2012 vintage, and Château Lafite Rothschild will be hosting 1 400 of them.
Discover Charles Chevallier’s presentation of the 2012 vintage in DBR(Lafite)’s Bordeaux estates:
“A difficult year, one which we would not like to see too often! The first challenge was a hail storm on 24 April, and then a late flowering (10 June) in damp conditions, resulting in poor fertilization, which had a direct, negative impact on potential yields.
June and July brought alternating heat and humidity, which was very favorable for the growth of fungidowny mildew and powdery mildew in the vineyard, but also ceps and chanterelles in the woods!
Protection against disease was very difficult, and the winegrowers and vineyard managers needed to apply all of their skills and experience to work with the rules that have been set by our «Sustainable Development » charter.
At the end of August, in beautiful warm weather, we observed the onset of uneven, which was ripening to result in difficulties at the sorting stage, and particularly complex choices regarding the order in which plots were harvested.
The threat of botrytis increased significantly at the end of September in the red grapes, and the sorting teams, assisted by Visio optical sorting equipment, demonstrated great professionalism.
Botrytis developed at Rieussec, but its noble qualities suffered in the surrounding humidity.
Despite everyone’s best efforts, our fears were confirmed: this year we will only be producing a pleasant, fruity, floral Carmes de Rieussec and a fresh and aromatic «R» de Rieussec”.
Charles Chevallier
