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.
In today’s fast paced world, where consumers want everything now, wines demanding decades until they mature are anachronistic. However, that is what it takes to experience Chateau Latour at its best with its marriage of complexity, elegance and power.
