“We don’t inherit the earth from our parents, we borrow it from our children.” Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
I’m not going to give a list of good and bad years, which may disappoint some people. You must understand that the wine-grower puts their whole heart into obtaining their wines, and they cannot be such harsh judges of their own vintages which, like children, each have their own qualities and faults; they are sometimes the memory of a Summer that was too hot, or a rainy season; sometimes they have a difficult youth or an uncertain future — but the wine-grower will never disown them. Of course, there are some they will be more proud of than others, but those are also the ones that will stay the shortest time on the estate, victims of an impassioned popularity among lovers of great vintages.
That’s why I won’t judge them, but you’ll certainly find this information from the critics, who don’t usually fail to sing the praises of the great vintages, in order to better relegate the more discreet years to oblivion.
You will nonetheless find in this section a description that we make at the end of each wine-growing year.
The year 2019 is marked by spring frosts especially in the Clos de Rochebonne in Theizé, strong winds in May breaking vine shoots and precipitation during flowering which lead to coulure and millerandage in many plots. The summer is very dry and hot until mid-August then an abundant rain allowed to unlock the maturity. The harvest begins on September 10 after a period of hot days and cool nights, ideal conditions for perfect maturity.
2019 will be a vintage marked by extreme weather conditions, small yields of concentrated grapes and well-balanced juices.
A vintage full of finesse and lots of freshness.
Another heatwave with 39°–41°C, but with an abundant harvest, long magical grape harvests in September with no fear of rain.
A fine vintage combining quality and quantity!
"Côte de Brouilly
It is for me THE Cru of the year 2018 ! The stony grain of the coast has produced homogeneous cuvées, whose terroir brings the thirst-quenching power of Gamay. The best wines offer a glimpse of great aging potential, for at least ten years. Bet this year on the coasts of Brouilly, with many producers! It is the cru, with Fleurie, which will mark the vintage. "G. Baroin RVFhttps: //www.larvf.com/que-valent-les-vins-du-millesime-en-beaujolais,4628606.asp
The Summer was marked by a 10-day heatwave, with a small harvest, giving a very concentrated year, with substance but also fruit – a very great vintage for Château Thivin with almost perfet balanced wines.
A calmer year in the vineyard to give a fine harvest, fine, very elegant wines, with a fine colour and a bouquet tinged with red berries.
A hot year, with a dry Spring and summer heat wave. The results is highly structured, powerful wines, with great keeping potential.
At present, the wines are tending to close up a little, so decanting into a carafe is advised.
A rather mixed year weather-wise, giving a vintage that’s very pleasant to drink but with no great power.
