2021
To date, this has been the most complicated campaign of my career...
The year got off to a difficult start with a spell of spring frost on April 6, 7, and 8, which was more like a winter frost, with temperatures below -7°C on some parts of the estate. In terms of work organization, things were complicated by staff absences due to COVID and the departure of a winemaker who preferred to change his life so he no longer had to work in the rain!
Despite these setbacks, we proceeded with planting the CORNIERES, which had been dormant for five years. The estate's vineyard team, reinforced by Fan and Jean-François, had to prepare and distribute the plants in order to keep up with the professional planters. They divided the plot into squares and proceeded with the planting under ideal weather conditions. Two days later, a light rain settled the soil and provided water for the young plants. Everything was perfect!
This was followed by a very cool spring with little sunshine. The vines struggled to grow. In June, the heat returned and the vegetation exploded. This rapid growth put our team to the test. Unstable weather made bud removal and trellising difficult, as well as treatments against mildew and powdery mildew. Simon worked endless days trimming before each treatment, but the pressure from the disease was extreme.
In mid-June, the vines are in full bloom, and the heat of this all-too-short sunny period allows them to finish quickly. Although there aren’t many grapes after the frost, at least all of them have set fruit!
Early August : And the rain goes on! For several weeks now, not a single day has passed without rain, and daytime temperatures have been unusually low for summer (17/18°C). It takes unwavering determination from Simon to stay the course and keep adjusting vineyard work accordingly."
Saturday, September 18 : We begin the harvest with our wine tourism team under beautiful sunshine in the Parc plot, which has been badly affected by mildew (lots of raisins) and the onset of rot. Our city friends quickly understand the “catastrophic” situation of the vintage and do a very good job of harvesting.
On Monday afternoon, the in-house team of just 19 harvesters gets started, anticipating a lot of sorting work in the winery. The effects of the disease vary greatly from one plot to another: in the Chassagne-Montrachet “Morgeot” vineyard, the harvest is good, not abundant but perfectly acceptable, while in our Santenay “Botaveau” vineyard, two-thirds of the plot has been completely destroyed by mildew.
After a wet start, we had 11 days of harvesting without rain, with very hot days. Work ended on October 2. It had been a long time since we had harvested in October!
Thursday, October 14: Last racking of the 2021 harvest. It has already been 15 days since we finished this harvest, which concludes the worst season I have ever seen in my career.
Tasting notes red
At present, these young wines are fruit-driven, highly approachable, with structures that vary according to their origin.
Tasting notes white
At present, these young wines are marked by minerality and freshness.