2012
2012
2012
In 2011, the white harvest was the earliest since 1893. We feared that the ripening of the grapes in the middle of the summer, just when the days are longest and often hottest, would result in a wine without balance—too rich in alcohol, low in acidity and lacking flavour. Thanks to the cool temperatures in July and August, not only was the balance maintained, but it was that of a great vintage! 2011 is a magnificent Pavillon Blanc, of exactly the same lineage and level as 2010. This result is, of course, the fruit of very rigorous selection: no more than a third of an already small harvest was retained for the final blending; it is nevertheless the same proportion as last year. It is excellent to drink now. (October 2025)
Climate
2012 marked the return of a great climatic classicism: a cold winter, especially in February, followed by a very wet spring, then a very dry summer before a return to rainy weather as from September 20th.
The heavy rain which lasted until July 15th, created very favourable conditions for the development of mildew. However this year we intensified our organic programme with great success: not only have we not used any insecticide on the estate for 10 years, but in 2012 we only used one chemical treatment, as opposed to the usual 7 or 8 on the great wine plots. We’re almost there…
From July 15th onwards, the weather was dry and moderately warm but punctuated by a few very hot days. Such conditions are typical of great Bordeaux classic vintages: they allow for the simultaneous ripening and concentration of the grapes. Only the less good terroirs and young vines suffered from the sudden transition from a very wet spring to a very dry summer.
The weather changed again from the first day of autumn: the moderate rains, which fell regularly from September 20th onwards, arrived too late to greatly upset the ripening or health of the grapes, but probably prevented, by a few days, 2012 from being the great vintage it should have been.
The harvest of the whites took place between the 10th and the 14th September, while the harvest of the reds was carried out between the 25th September and the 16th October, just before the weather really deteriorated...
In 2011, the white harvest was the earliest since 1893. We feared that the ripening of the grapes in the middle of the summer, just when the days are longest and often hottest, would result in a wine without balance—too rich in alcohol, low in acidity and lacking flavour. Thanks to the cool temperatures in July and August, not only was the balance maintained, but it was that of a great vintage! 2011 is a magnificent Pavillon Blanc, of exactly the same lineage and level as 2010. This result is, of course, the fruit of very rigorous selection: no more than a third of an already small harvest was retained for the final blending; it is nevertheless the same proportion as last year. It is excellent to drink now. (October 2025)
Climate
2012 marked the return of a great climatic classicism: a cold winter, especially in February, followed by a very wet spring, then a very dry summer before a return to rainy weather as from September 20th.
The heavy rain which lasted until July 15th, created very favourable conditions for the development of mildew. However this year we intensified our organic programme with great success: not only have we not used any insecticide on the estate for 10 years, but in 2012 we only used one chemical treatment, as opposed to the usual 7 or 8 on the great wine plots. We’re almost there…
From July 15th onwards, the weather was dry and moderately warm but punctuated by a few very hot days. Such conditions are typical of great Bordeaux classic vintages: they allow for the simultaneous ripening and concentration of the grapes. Only the less good terroirs and young vines suffered from the sudden transition from a very wet spring to a very dry summer.
The weather changed again from the first day of autumn: the moderate rains, which fell regularly from September 20th onwards, arrived too late to greatly upset the ripening or health of the grapes, but probably prevented, by a few days, 2012 from being the great vintage it should have been.
The harvest of the whites took place between the 10th and the 14th September, while the harvest of the reds was carried out between the 25th September and the 16th October, just before the weather really deteriorated...
Service & tasting
Discover our tips for serving and tasting your wine in the best conditions.
Service & tasting
Discover our tips for serving and tasting your wine in the best conditions.