2016 has been a remarkable vintage in the Bordeaux region, reminiscent of the legendary 1990 in terms of both quantity and quality! It was a fairly challenging year for winegrowers, with a very wet start to the growth cycle (800 mm of rain over the first six months of the year), a very dry period from 1 July to 13 September, and finally localized thunderstorms and a beautiful Indian summer that enabled the grapes to reach optimal ripeness. The red wines are rich, smooth and fruity, with tannins of a rarely obtained maturity and very deep colours.

2015 was characterized by a rather late bud break, and rapid, uniform flowering, during the first two weeks of June, in superb conditions (very low rainfall and slightly above average temperatures). July was very hot (with temperatures approaching heatwave levels between 30 June and 6 July) and dry (20 mm of rain, much like 2010). However, August was very wet (90 mm average rainfall) compared to the last 15 years and the onset of ripening (late July/early August) was fast and uniform. The disparate rains in August and September affected the vineyard in varying ways without impairing the very good overall quality of the 2015 vintage in Bordeaux.

The summer of 2014 was rather gloomy, characterized by a lack of sunshine and low temperatures, but then beautiful weather arrived in the entire region in early September and remained for several weeks (until the end of October), saving the vintage. The Indian summer gave the vines optimal ripening conditions, and the grapes reached a balance between sugar, acidity and phenols worthy of a great vintage. The Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc benefited from the superb late season and offered excellent quality in 2014.

The 2013 vintage in Bordeaux was characterized by difficult weather conditions. A wet spring resulted in flower abortion and uneven grape size, hail storms then caused significant losses, especially in the Entre-deux-Mers region, and there were alternating spells of rain and fine weather until the harvests. It was one of the most difficult vintages of the last 30 years, with the lowest overall yield since the frost of 1991!

2012 was a difficult vintage that presented numerous challenges in the vineyard. After a harsh winter, the cool spring slowed down flowering, which was spread over a fairly long period. Fertilization was hampered by the rain in early June, resulting in flower abortion and uneven grape size, so yields were low. The wet weather and lack of sunshine continued until mid-July but then August and early September were hot and dry, with a substantial variation between day and night-time temperatures, enabling the Merlot to fully ripen before the heavy rain at the end of September.

2011 was one of the hottest, sunniest and, above all, driest years of the last few decades. These weather conditions encouraged fast, uniform, flowering, two or three weeks earlier than usual; the grapes also began to ripen earlier, during July, and then, finally, the harvests started at the beginning of September with the Merlot, followed by the Cabernet in mid-September. After two rich, concentrated vintages, the 2011 Bordeaux Rouge sees a return to harmony and balance: a classic vintage.

2010 saw poor weather conditions during the flowering period of some grape varieties (the Cabernet and late Merlots) resulting in frequent flower abortion and uneven grape size. Combined with a historic drought, this produced an average yield that was 15% down on 2009. However, this enhanced the overall quality of the wines, which were exceptionally rich in tannins, with high levels of alcohol balanced by strong acidity, giving the wines freshness and longevity. The 2010 Bordeaux reds are powerful, lively and balanced. 2009/2010: a double success!

The 2009 vintage met the five conditions necessary for a great year in Bordeaux: homogeneous, early flowering and setting (early June) with hot, dry, sunny weather; an equally early start to the ripening process (véraison), beginning in late July, complete ripeness due a warm, dry August and September, and finally dream harvests starting late in September, in perfect weather conditions! The wines are of excellent quality, very pleasant on the nose and in the mouth, with ripe, silky tannins, good aromatic expression and a freshness in the finish that perfectly balances the sometimes high levels of alcohol.