The focus this year was on sorting for the 2011 Bordeaux vintage. Pickers were given sheets with nine different photographs of unripe berries they were to avoid placing in the basket.

Chateau Mouton Rothschild, Pauillac, First Growth could set the tone for the 2011 Bordeaux wine campaign.

Yields were low due to the problems Cabernet Sauvignon suffered from during the growing season coupled with the loss suffered from the hail storm.

The use of the gravity, coupled with the ability to quickly cool down the grapes, which retards oxidation, allowed the fruit to maintain maximum aromatic freshness.

For the 2011 vintage, a record setting amount of Cabernet Sauvignon was used in the blend at Chateau Pichon Lalande in Pauillac.

The estate continues its march towards biodynamic farming. At this point, 62 acres are farmed using biodynamic techniques. The eventual goal of Chateau Latour is to become completely biodynamic within a few years.

We employed optical sorting for the first time in 2011. I am undecided about employing the technology in future vintages yet. The new destemming technology had a much more important impact!