Nose
The nose reveals lovely ripe, fresh fruit aromas.
Palate
On the palate, freshness and density together with very good minerality make up the characteristics of the wines of Villemaurine. Precise tannins come through in a lovely finish.
Growing Conditions
With a particularly mild winter and an early bud-break, the 2014 growing season was mild and wet at the beginning of spring, which enabled vine vegetation to develop quickly.
The flowering began at the end of May in rainy weather, but conditions were then very favourable during the first two weeks of June, when temperatures rose significantly, allowing the flowering to finish in very good conditions. August, which was quite cool and often stormy, slowed the grape ripening process. To make sure that the vine canopy remained in good health and that the bunches continued to enjoy a favourable microclimate with as little compacting of the fruit as possible, great care and perseverance were necessary.
September and October were very hot and dry, causing some water stress to appear in the vines during the second phase of the ripening process, thus providing the ideal conditions for natural concentration of the berries and ripening of the tannins.
Winemaking
The grapes were in very good condition, and we were able to pick each plot at optimum ripeness.
The vinifications went smoothly and were carried out using alternate pumping over, punching down of the cap of skins and delestage.
Aging
60% new barrels
40% second-fill barrels
Appearance
Château Villemaurine 2014 displays an attractive deep red colour.