2010

Nature sometimes gives signs that winegrowers do not immediately understand: during the night of 19 to 20 December 2009, the temperature dropped by 7°C in three hours, which will leave some traces (vines to be replaced next spring). It has been a long time since we have experienced a real winter frost.

We will begin pruning on Monday, 3 May 2010. For the moment, the weather is rainy and cold. There is a significant risk of spring frost, and if this were to happen, it would be the first time since I have been at the Estate.

The cold weather at the end of May and the rain at the beginning of June are not very conducive to flowering. We are seeing significant instances of shatter (in french "coulure" : the flowers do not produce fruit) and shot berries (in french "millerandage" a phenomenon where a grape cluster carries both well-formed berries and small, aborted or seedless berries, often caused by poor fertilization).

Checking the ripeness of all the plots on the estate on Saturday 11 September 2010. Between Santenay and Aloxe Corton, there are some 30 plots I need to visit. It will take me all day if I want to both harvest grapes ‘at random’ to assess their sugar potential and observe the quality of the foliage and grapes. The conclusions at the end of the day are very encouraging. We can calmly prepare the winery for the arrival of the grapes, and the dormitories and dining hall for the arrival of the 40 or so temporary workers we have called in for 24 September

But on Sunday 12 September, between 5pm and 5.15pm, at the end of a sunny day, a tornado of rain and hail struck the northern part of the village of Santenay. The winegrower knows full well that he must deal with the elements and the nature that surrounds him. But when nature conspires to destroy the work of an entire team over the course of a whole year, the winegrower can only weep...

Tuesday, 21 September 2010. We begin the harvest at "Les Gravières": a small crop and damaged grapes. We should get half the usual yield after very rigorous sorting. And as we expected, the Santenay Premier Cru, "Beaurepaire" and "La Comme" plots are in the same boat! Then "Morgeot". The foliage is also damaged, but the grapes are nicer, and the yield should be better!

Although quantities are reduced to the limits of economic reasonableness, quality is guaranteed!

Tasting notes red

The red wines are opulent, generous, very fragrant and very fresh. The quality is excellent but the quantity is low.

Tasting notes white

White wines, as is often the case, fare better in terms of quantity. They have a lovely freshness and are smooth on the palate without being full-bodied.