The 2019 vintage for the wines of Bordeaux
The 2019 vintage
2019 in Bordeaux was, generally speaking, a very generous vintage with many great wines, and some exceptional that I had the chance to taste during the En Primeurs events. Even, some winemakers would say that it was an easier vintage than others, for exemple the precedent 2018 (available here), it is important to mention that 2019 was full of stress, uncertainties, but yes finally relieving. Let’s take a look about a global vision of 2019 in Bordeaux !
All about the 2019 year
The winter was pretty mild, as the beginning of the season, a thing that comes back year after years in the region (#climatechange).
Th beginning of the year was also full of good weather conditions, starting sooner the vegetative cycle of the vines.
However the beginning of the spring was fresher, flowering taking more time, for finally almost giving a normal timing (it depends on the locations).
Some climatic incidents happened, always very localised during all the year. We would especially mention :
– The frost during March and the beginning of May, where 3 nights were especially very difficult, notably in Sauternes and on the right bank, reducing the yields for some estates.
– The rain in the middle of April increased the disease pressure, with grey rot, plus Coulure and shattering (Millerandage).
– Very located hail (especially between June and July).
2019 : Very hot in Bordeaux!
In July the weather was really hot and many people began to be stressed about that. At the same time some pictures about roasted vines in the south of France were published, accentuating the fear.
Thankfully it was not the case in Bordeaux, where the temperatures during the nights generally were cooler. But yes, it was a very stressful moment, and some people began to remind about the 2003 vintage… Fortunately the rain arrived, especially two times during the end of July and August, changing this bad feeling in the possibility of a great vintage. An homogenous and fast « veraison » starting from this moment.
Generally speaking the vines with a deep root system have not be impacted by these conditions. It would be interesting to take care about the evolution of younger vines.
2019, the harvest
The harvest took place without any stress, allowing the possibility to choose the right moment for the optimal maturity. Some rain could be locally noted but without any negative impact on the grapes (some winemakers said to me at all !).
The result is an optimal concentration of the grapes, but high levels of alcohol (once again) had to be managed to achieve the perfect balance. Now it was time to taste this 2019 vintage… something pretty difficult with the global pandemic of Coronavirus that disrupted the traditional event « En Primeurs », and impacted the communication around this beautiful vintage.
A wine to resume 2019
Although the main topic is to talk about 2019, I really had the feeling of reliving the year by tasting the Dame de Montrose 2019, so I share you not the tasting note, but the parallel that I made, that I felt, during this moment :
« 2019 of Dame de Montrose may be one of the perfect exemple to illustrate this vintage. On notes of very deep black fruits, very ripe, like the heat during the summer, suddenly red fruits come to refresh the palate and give a new dimension. These red fruits are the saving rains of the late July/early August that come to bring freshness and complexity. »
My view about the 2019 vintage
To conclude, in this 2019 vintage the styles of terroirs radiate themselves. A great vintage for winelovers and people who enjoy Bordeaux styles. You will find in each appellation their own charm. To learn more, go to my other articles about the 2019 Primeurs !
Sources
Sources : Personal observations during the year, completed and illustrated by many people in many places : Château Montrose, JP Moueix , Vieux Château Certan, Château Lafleur, Château La Tour Blanche, Château de Rayne Vigneau, Château Smith Haut Lafite, Château Angélus, Château Lafite, Château Mouton-Rothschild, Château Cos d’Estournel, Château Croix de Labrie, Château de Ferrand, Château Larrivet Haut-Brion, Château Margaux, Clos de Boüard, Clos Fourtet, Château Carbonnieux, Château Malartic-Lagravière, Château Cardinal-Villemaurine, Vignobles K, Château Mangot, Château de Fargues, Oenoconseil, Eric Boissenot, Domaine de Chevalier, Château Fieuzal, Château Jean Faure, Château Bouscaut, Château Latour-Martillac, Château Cheval-Blanc, Château Ausone, Château Palmer, Château Pontet-Canet, Château Figeac, Château Haut-Bailly, Château La Conseillante, Château Petit-Village, Château Meyney, Château Graves de Pez, Château Haut-Bergeron.
Xavier LACOMBE
Ping : 2019-Primeurs-Notes-En de dégustation - xl-vins.fr
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