Palate
1988 is a well-structured vintage, with firm tannins and good acidity.
Growing Conditions
Time passes. Despite rollercoaster weather that saw an early blossoming, a wet spring and a lukewarm summer, the grapes reached extremely satisfying levels of ripeness. Solid tannins, tight acidity, good structure: 1988 is a good vintage.
1988 is an invigorating vintage. It is described as wild and blessed with great righteousness. The year began with an unusually mild month of January. February was equally mild but also rainy. Winter only really came as of February 20th. March remained chilly and the vegetation process was thus delayed. Bud break was recorded on the 20th. The month of April was quite mild and variable. Over the second fortnight, the vines grew quickly. May was also mild and fairly wet. This spring weather resulted in early flowering (the 1st flowers appeared on May 29th), which was a positive sign. Summer was fairly average. July was not very hot. The beginning of the véraison was recorded on July 31st. In August, the seasonal weather returned although temperatures were not particularly high. The vegetation lost its lead. The sun continued to shine until September 12th and then the weather became overcast until the end of the month. Temperatures dropped below normal for the season and there was some rain.
Harvest
The harvest began, with the Merlot, on 30th. The harvest was excellent and the grapes weighed in perfectly. It rained heavily on October 9th but a tropical wind dried out the vineyard and ripened up the Cabernet Sauvignon. Thus, as the grapes were not harvested too early, they reached perfect maturity.
