Detailed information on the 2012 Bordeaux harvest with interviews, news, information and photographs with all the top chateaux
The vintage had an Indian summer and similar to what took place in 2008, the harvest was late. We did not start picking until the middle of October.
We selected the right week to harvest. We finished just before the rains. It was important for us to finish before, because the rain would have cause dilution to the grapes.”
Keep in mind, we are still not finished with the malolactic fermentation, but at this point, the 2012 vintage reminds us of a blend between 2005 and 2006.
As far as alcohol levels, “In 2012, we have precisely what we want at Chateau Margaux: We will be around 13%, rather 13.5% for the Merlot and 12.8% for the Cabernet Sauvignon.”
At the beginning of fermentation in the cellar, you can smell strawberries and the beautiful complexity of various red fruit and spice aromas.
The 2012 Pichon Lalande vintage is a mixture of issues we had to deal with. The season has been difficult in the vineyard. You can call 2012 Bordeaux a winemaker’s vintage.
The late harvest for 2012 Bordeaux might affect the en primeurs tastings. 2012 Bordeaux will have suffered from one month less of ageing in comparison with 2011 in April when the wines are shown to critics and buyers.
