Page 3 - NDB Printemps 2019 - EN - web

tHe 2018 HARVest

QUAlitY AND QUANtitY foR AN exceptioNAl viNtAGe!

There are vintages that make a mark the earlier zones, and on 13 September of yields. We needed to be patient, both fresh and jammy fruity flavors. The
on a whole region, and the 2018 will for later plots. The 2018 vintage is in terms of ripeness and in terms of whites and rosés offer aromatic intensity
no doubt be one of these. Harvesting already being described as incredible vat time. and freshness.
began on 20 August with the Crémants. and aromatic, dominated by notes of In the rhone region, 2018 required
They lasted for a month and the weather black berries and raspberry, with a very close attention. In the end, the
was perfect and quality exceptional. touch of spice, and remarkable structure wines are showing good color with cAlifoRNiA
The grapes were in perfect health and and balance. lovely aromatic expression. Exceptional length
had reached optimum ripeness. and quality
The end of the winter was very cold This year, the harvests were long, but
with intense episodes of frost, which RHoNe lANGUeDoc the quality was exceptional and kept
prolonged the dormancy of the vines. Resilience and patience A winemakers’ vintage up our enthusiasm. Picking began on
Bud-burst was later than usual but Atypical and extreme weather – with Harvesting began on 21 August in the 23 August at Deloach in Sonoma, with
there were no spring frosts. The spring frost, heavy rainfall, and drought leading languedoc and lasted for two months, the Pinot Noirs gathered on a “fruit”
was very hot, with rain and frequent to a threat of disease – all presented with 2,000 hectares to be picked. A rainy day in the lunar calendar. It finished
storms. There was even some hail, a real trial for the vines. But despite and cold spring held back budburst, on 2 November.
but fortunately, the estate’s vines it all, they survived, and winegrowers and flowering was chaotic with high Over at raymond Vineyards in Napa,
were spared. were able to plan ahead. Harvesting winds and rain causing shatter and the secateurs were in use between 4
Summer was hot and dry, as it was began with the whites on 3 September millerandage. However, the end result September and 9 November.
across France, even on the vine- and lasted three weeks. was satisfactory and relatively even. In both valleys, the grapes were
growing plateaus of the Jura, which The difference between the northern and exceptional sunshine during the sum- magnificent and yields very satisfying.
are usually cooler. southern ends of the Côtes-du-rhône mer months was decisive for these In Sonoma, this was a year for Cabernet,
Conditions were perfect for sunny was accentuated with a two-week drought-resistant southern vines. It with a level of quality that is rarely seen.
harvesting. Apart from the Savagnin difference in terms of harvesting, was a late vintage, but alternating As for the Chardonnay and Pinot Noir,
varietal, which is more sensitive, and which can be detected in the final rain and sun during the whole growth initial tastings are promising elegance
suffered a little from the intense heat, texture of the wines. cycle nourished the vines correctly and and balance, with a lower alcohol
the harvest was abundant and very The more northerly Syrahs were dense resulted in a lovely balance between content than in previous years. Napa
high in quality. and colorful, with lovely aromatic sugars and acidity. wines from 2018 are characterized
expression. In the south, the quality was Anticipatory work by our partner wine- as having very ripe tannins and lots
evident, but in some places, the quantity growers along with daily management of finesse.
BeAUJolAiS was somewhat lacking, particularly in of the harvests meant we harvested
Structure and balance certain areas hit by mildew. perfectly ripened grapes and avoided
January was mild, but February and The whites are aromatic, clear, and any pitfalls, getting the best out of
March were cold. Then came April, which forthright, with lovely colors and this lovely vintage. An absence of any
was hot, dry, and fairly sunny; and May, unusual hints of silver. They offer very lengthy heatwave periods preserved the
which was rainy with normal levels of good levels of natural acidity. They are natural freshness. The winds kept the
sunshine. June was hot and stormy, revealing very similar profiles and the vines healthy and resulted in naturally
but the vines remained miraculously same remarkable freshness as the concentrated grapes that were perfectly
healthy. Summer was very hot and dry. rosés, thanks to hard work in terms ripe. Moreover, the cooler September
Despite the drought and high temperatures, of plot selection. nights were very helpful in concentrating
the vines withstood the weather very The red wine vineyards were hit by aromas and polyphenols.
well. Harvesting began on 27 August in mildew, leading to variations in terms The red wines have color along with

Boisset La Famille des grands Vins
www.boisset.com - Spring 2019 3