BORDEAUX HARVEST REPORT 2007

Bordeaux experienced an overall wet and gray summer season but was blessed with a sunny September and October.

Unstable weather in May and June delayed the flowering of the vines when they are susceptible to weather swings. An overcast and gray June evolved into a dull, drizzly July. To cap it all, a cool, showery second half of August really tested the grapes’ ability to withstand the elements.

On 29th August, an unexpected heavy rain dominated the day. However, on the morning after, the high pressure systems returned with dry, cool North-Easterly breezes blowing. Bordeaux’s weather remained predominantly sunny apart from a few showers at the end September and early October, right up to early November. The ample amount of sunshine, light and moderate dry winds helped to maintain the health of the vines; keeping rot at bay. The temperatures were cold at night (10 to 13°C) and moderate during the day (24 to 26°C).

This sudden and lasting summer-like weather was an amazing, unforeseen and totally welcomed phenomenon and it rescued the otherwise inadequate standard 2007 vintage.

In General
2007 was a vintage that turned around amazingly. Similar vintages have been experienced many times before. Even the great 2000 vintage was not looking at all good until the weather suddenly changed in July.

The Wines
2007 Dry Whites – the grapes are picked in perfect conditions. Therefore, everyone could afford to take their time and wait until the optimum day for each parcel’s and each variety’s total ripeness.

General style of this vintage is pure and the nature of it fresh with fine, tangy fruit and pronounced acidities.

2007 Red Wines - The Merlots of the Right Bank will turn out stronger than those of the Left Bank. The Cabernets are generally very successful. Cabernet Franc, on the Right Bank, though not tremendously powerful is fresh and silky-textured. Cabernet Sauvignon on the Left is considered well-defined and smooth.

2007 Sweet Wines - Quite clearly Sauternes has had the best of the vintage. The 2007 vintage belonged in the family of long harvests similar to the vintages of ’88, ’89 and ’01 that produced the finer, more nervous style of wines.