The precocity of the Sauvignon Blanc (the harvest took place between the 10th and the 14th September) saved it from the end-of-season rains. However, the difficult start to the summer, which was quite wet until July 15th, affected its vegetative cycle more than it did the later red varietals. The very dry conditions, which prevailed afterwards were perfect for the ripening and harvest but didn’t allow the grapes to reach the same level of concentration as in 2011. Only the oldest vines and the best plots really played their cards right and achieved a high quality level. It was therefore necessary for us to be even more rigorous than usual in our selection: barely a third of the harvest went into Pavillon Blanc. As a result, even though the quality is not quite on a par with that of 2011, it is still excellent. The 2012 is aromatic, complex, fresh and very well balanced. However it’s the smallest quantity that we have ever produced…it is ready to drink, but there is no hurry. (October 2018)
Margaux
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...