Vintage 2006 : bizarre, you said bizarre ?!

Firstly, the vineyards had to stand a very hot month of July, as hot as July 2003... Then, they had to put up with a month of August amongst the coldest in the last 50 years !

After a rather pleasant 2005 autumn, winter cold suddenly struck. Frosts were frequent, and the thermometer did not rise above 13°C during the best periods in the day.

Unfortunately, and once again, feeble rains were not sufficient to bring back up the level of water tables. A violent Mistral in March and April, then sunshine stronger than the average, did not help fixing this problem.

The growing of the vine was thus perturbed, first at the period of the floraison, then in the course of the véraison, causing, in the whole of the vineyards, a notable heterogeneity.

Be patient....and Wait for the right time...

In return, the vineyards remained perfectly healthy. There were more grapes than last year, with volumes close to 2003, but the berries were small, with thick skins.

After the heat wave in July, the rains in August supported maturity. Now, the rains of September made the harvest of Grenache delicate. As often - as always ! - you had to be patient and wait for the right moment...

As regards the vinifications, you had to show the same persistence. The Wines revealed their nature very late, in the course of the post fermentation phases. The juice you could then taste, at this moment, let you anticipate the best - most beautiful wonders...

For the Whites, North and South : 18/20

The very cool month of August did a world of good to this Vintage. The White Wines already reveal to be beautifully dense, with an uncommon freshness.They are precise Wines, with a clear and pure fruit.

A Great Vintage.

For the Reds from the North : 15/20

In terms of Quality, they stand somewhere in between 2004 and 2005.The Wines display very dark colours. Not as tannic as 2005, but quite as long in the mouth, thanks to the support of a good acidity. They have to be regarded quite seriously !

Outstanding success in Hermitage.

For the Reds from the South : 17/20

They also stand between 2004 and 2005, some Cuvées being even superior to 2005 !
Some, not finished, are still fermenting... Truly impressive Wines.

Colour, fruit, power : all is at the Top !