Vintages

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2005 vintage: Gifts from the sky

A remarkable grape quality has made 2005 an extraordinary vintage. Nature’s elements came together during the season to yield this cru which is already considered among one of the finest.

A Climate for Vines…

Generally warm and dry, the season was punctuated by alternating hot and cool periods. Well adapted to the vine’s cycle and the grape’s needs, this climate was nearly ideal.
The very hot temperatures encouraged a rapid development of the vegetative cycle through the end of July, then a cooler month of August allowed the vines to recover and begin the maturation phase. The low amount of precipitation, regular and moderate, provoked an early stop of the vegetative growth. All these conditions contributed to foliage in a perfect functioning state right through to maturity as well as an excellent sanitary state of the crop.

…and For Ripening of Grapes

The healthy condition of the vines combined with a particularly favorable climate to produce a large sugar content. The moderate temperatures had a very positive affect. Acidity is balanced and remained stable to the end of the harvest. Aromatic potential, especially for the Blancs, developed slowly and completely. Coloring for the Rouges accumulated favorably with strong skin coloration and ripe tannins.

Early Harvest

Winemakers approached the harvest confident in the knowledge that the dry soil and absence of a rot threat permitted them to pick each parcel at the moment of optimum ripeness.
Picking began in fair weather practically “without a drop of rain”. The first grapes were harvested in Sancerre beginning 7 September for some parcels of early-ripened Blanc. Harvesting started for Reuilly on 9 September, 10 September for Quincy, 15 September for Pouilly-sur-Loire and Châteaumeillant, 16 September for Menetou-Salon and 17 September for Sancerre and the Coteaux du Giennois.
In general, the Blancs were harvested first and the Rouges were harvested afterward.

First Impressions of the Vintage

For both Blancs and Rouges, aromatic elegance, power and volume are discernable in the first tastings.
The Blancs express superb aromas, intense and with great finesse. While fermenting, notes of fruits (white fruits, tropical fruits) are dominant. Minerality and some vegetal (liquorice) touches are also perceptible. The mouth is rich and round and well supported by a degree of firmness. The finish is persistent.
The Rouges are a deeply colored, beautifully ruby – violet. The nose evokes very ripe red fruits (raspberries, blackberries). The gustative structure is ample and full of firm tannins (for wines from siliceous or clay soils) and silky (for wines from chalky limestone soils).
The rosés are going to give all that we expect of these wines: lightness, peach aromas anf freshness in the mouth, a small taste of paradise.

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