Growing Conditions
Unprecedented. From December to July, incessant rains provoked the development of mildew. Then, during a hot, dry summer, the vines focused all their energy into the remaining grapes. Their power and concentration finally reached an exceptional level. In the winery, all of this led to an unprecedented decision: every lot would be selected for the blending of Château Palmer… Extraordinary.
A rainy winter accompanied the dormant vines thus dampening the soil and causing late budding. In spite of administering our best care, the rain that continued to fall through the spring months, combined with very mild temperatures for the season, led to the development of mildew of an impressive virulence. Jacques, our crop manager, did not recall ever having seen weather conditions so conducive to its development. Fortunately, the weather went on to improve dramatically with exceptional conditions. The summer was hot, dry and restorative. The véraison began over the first week of August and allowed the budding process to catch up on its delay. In August and September, the sunshine was ideal, the nights were cool and there wasn’t a drop of rain. All these conditions put together allowed for an exceptional degree of maturity.
Harvest
Due to the low yield, the vine concentrated all of its energy on the remaining clusters, leading to a tannic and aromatic concentration in the grapes that had rarely been seen before in the property’s past.
Harvesting began on September 13th.
Winemaking
Sorting was of the greatest important this year. The daily tastings during the winemaking process confirmed the harvest’s incredible qualitative potential. Each plot was extraordinarily powerful and concentrated, leading us to make an unprecedented decision: that they were all to become part of the final blend of Château Palmer. A 2018 vintage that will undoubtedly be part of Château Palmer’s history...
