We finished picking on October 16. That makes 2012 Cos d’Estournel one of the latest harvest in the history of Cos d’Estournel. It was more than 4 weeks later than last year!

We have some vats of Cabernet Sauvignon with the same level of purity and structure we experienced in 2006. Perhaps coming after the 2005 vintage, consumers were not very interested in the 2006 vintage. Yet 2006 turned out to be one of the better vintages we’ve made at Chateau d’Issan!

With our terroir, we cannot talk about the 2012 Fleur Cardinale as a late harvest because we are used to it. Our philosophy has always been to wait for the optimal ripeness. So we waited, as usual.

At the moment, the 2012 La Fleur Morange is in the process of malolactic fermentation. Looking back, I think I succeeded in this complicated vintage, even though we came very close to having catastrophic year.

The Merlot is outstanding! The berries reached optimal ripeness, fine and sweet with very high sugar levels. The same can be said for the Cabernet Franc.

With our new cellars, for the first time, we are pick each plot at the perfect date. Each parcel now has its dedicated tank, so the decision of harvesting each parcel of La Conseillante depends only of its own level of ripeness!

What I will remember most from this year is the brutal discrepancy between the wet spring and summer drought. One had to be in the vineyard constantly, make smart choices on a plot by plot and even bunch by bunch at times. But that’s what our job is all about, isn’t it?