The winter of 2020-2021 was mild in Saint-Estèphe, with normal rainfall. We contin-ued to expand the area worked according to the principles of organic viticulture (without certification) from 10 to 20 hectares.
The Gironde protected us from frost in April. The vine was quite lazy until June; then, following heavy rains and high temperatures, it started a sudden spurt of growth. Strong pressure from downy mildew set in, requiring repeated passes through the vines, with difficultly given the state of the soil.
Very hot weather in mid-July and mid-August caused some scalding, despite care-fully managed leaf removal. The summer was marked by wide temperature varia-tions and rain, requiring constant attention. Fine weather in September was inter-rupted by a wet spell from the 18th to 20th. The nights were cool and the tempera-tures mild.
The Merlot harvest began on 29 September. The yields were desperately low. This was followed by the Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot and then the early plots of Cabernet Sauvignon. We took the gamble to interrupt the harvest, which turned out to be the right choice, to allow our great Cabernet Sauvignon to ripen to the required phenolic maturity in beautiful sunshine and with a drying north wind.
Harvest: from September 29 to October 13
Analysis: Degree: 13% vol. – pH: 3,6 – IPT: 85
