This morning, we did the 2nd picking of a few Sauvignon Blancs. The very cold nights (10/12°), improve the aromas of our grapes, which are picked ripe ...
Monday, August 29, 2011
Monday, August 29, sauvignon blanc
This morning, we did the 2nd picking of a few Sauvignon Blancs. The very cold nights (10/12°), improve the aromas of our grapes, which are picked ripe ...
Pontet Canet in August
Visit with Michel Puzio (Croix de Labrie) of the vineyards and cellars of Château Pontet Canet in Pauillac, received by one of the person in charge of the vineyards. I wanted to see how a non-cropped vineyard looks like: Well, it makes you want to try, at least on a nice parcel. Pontet Canet is a leader in a lot of areas, including how to properly use horses to plow, treat, in fact replace tractors with the goal of producing good grapes, the entire vineyard being biodynamic, at least this year, makes you want to do the same. The tests I did with biodynamic in 2000 and 2001 did not work at that time so I decided to stop.
Before starting again, I will wait for others to show the way, preferring, for once, to be a follower rather than a precursor.
The visit of the cellar, the wooden vats and especially the cement ones, which I am proud to be partly responsible for, show how serious and precise the wines are made and the image the owners want to convey. We were not there to taste; it will be for next time.
Before starting again, I will wait for others to show the way, preferring, for once, to be a follower rather than a precursor.
The visit of the cellar, the wooden vats and especially the cement ones, which I am proud to be partly responsible for, show how serious and precise the wines are made and the image the owners want to convey. We were not there to taste; it will be for next time.
Sunday, August 28, 2011
RVF, garage wine and classification
They must change or die, by Philippe Maurange. This is a provocative title for an article which, after all, I found fairly positive, at least for Valandraud, Mondotte and Péby Faugères.
This title could work for anyone, remember the tremendous challenge 1855 classified Bordeaux from the Left Bank faced, forced to watch the world move in the 2000s, some of my very famous colleagues even admitted in public the benefits gained from the "garage wine" effect on the perception of "modern" wine: ripe grapes, sorting, etc.
The number of times I read that it was the end of garage wines reminded me the announcement of the end of Parker or the Michelin, wishful thinking, but in bad taste, so that I can take your place, as if there was not enough room for everyone. Talent in the art world seems to always come over time, as if those who lasted all had talent ... Nothing is simple.
I drank, once again, at my favorite banker’s place, owner of a beautiful dancer in the Fronsac, plenty of great wines with fine labels. The least known wine (forgot the name), American from Napa Valley, was much better than the famous 1986 super second we had, undrinkable because too concentrated - and this coming from me! - And this good cru from the right bank, but is it enough in terms of price and status claimed? (No name: I'll let you guess)
Tastes and colors cannot be argued.
As the blows and pains enjoyed by masochists, everything is based on our "education" and opinions "forced" by the "kill the father" brought up these days by journalists in the Revue du Vin de France that favors more "classical" wine and especially those less successful with Bettane and Desseauve or Parker or the Wine Spectator. Will Figeac be promoted this time to 1st Cru Classé A? Yes, if I believe the result of RVF in 2009 and 2008...
This title could work for anyone, remember the tremendous challenge 1855 classified Bordeaux from the Left Bank faced, forced to watch the world move in the 2000s, some of my very famous colleagues even admitted in public the benefits gained from the "garage wine" effect on the perception of "modern" wine: ripe grapes, sorting, etc.
The number of times I read that it was the end of garage wines reminded me the announcement of the end of Parker or the Michelin, wishful thinking, but in bad taste, so that I can take your place, as if there was not enough room for everyone. Talent in the art world seems to always come over time, as if those who lasted all had talent ... Nothing is simple.
I drank, once again, at my favorite banker’s place, owner of a beautiful dancer in the Fronsac, plenty of great wines with fine labels. The least known wine (forgot the name), American from Napa Valley, was much better than the famous 1986 super second we had, undrinkable because too concentrated - and this coming from me! - And this good cru from the right bank, but is it enough in terms of price and status claimed? (No name: I'll let you guess)
Tastes and colors cannot be argued.
As the blows and pains enjoyed by masochists, everything is based on our "education" and opinions "forced" by the "kill the father" brought up these days by journalists in the Revue du Vin de France that favors more "classical" wine and especially those less successful with Bettane and Desseauve or Parker or the Wine Spectator. Will Figeac be promoted this time to 1st Cru Classé A? Yes, if I believe the result of RVF in 2009 and 2008...
Saturday, August 27, 2011
Harvest
Thursday 25 August, the harvest started with the young vines of Sauvignon Gris and the high plots where the terroir is leaner. Still the grapes are very sweet and delicious to eat, as good as table grapes!
Thanks Google
I read in the Wall Street Journal, a recommendation to buy Valandraud Blanc 2004 and 2005, in The West Ranch Beacon, as well as recommendations for our Valandraud kosher 2001 and 2003.
In the Financial Times, an article written by the talented Andrew Jefford came out on the wines of Agly in the Roussillon featturing Mas Amiel, Thunevin-Calvet, Clos des Fées, Fontanel, Gardies and Gauby (what’s missing in the RVF
)
Also, you can find a video in youtube on our Southern star, Roussillon, created by our distributor and based on his intertest and ideas.
In the Financial Times, an article written by the talented Andrew Jefford came out on the wines of Agly in the Roussillon featturing Mas Amiel, Thunevin-Calvet, Clos des Fées, Fontanel, Gardies and Gauby (what’s missing in the RVF
)Also, you can find a video in youtube on our Southern star, Roussillon, created by our distributor and based on his intertest and ideas.
Back at work
Cécile is back and the blog resumes, it will most likely cover the next Saint Emilion classification, guides coming out this year: RVF, Bettane & Desseauve, Hachette, etc...
Rain and good weather give us hope for a good 2011, more to come...
Cécile est revenue et le blog reprend, il y sera sans doute question du prochain classement de Saint Emilion, des guides qui sortent cette année : RVF, Bettane & Desseauve, Hachette, etc...
La pluie et le beau temps nous permettent d'espérer un bon 2011, affaire à suivre...
Rain and good weather give us hope for a good 2011, more to come...
Cécile est revenue et le blog reprend, il y sera sans doute question du prochain classement de Saint Emilion, des guides qui sortent cette année : RVF, Bettane & Desseauve, Hachette, etc...
La pluie et le beau temps nous permettent d'espérer un bon 2011, affaire à suivre...
Monday, August 1, 2011
Nice weather
The nice weather is back, the rain, needed for the good the health of our vineyard, has given us hope for a good vintage. The last work in the vineyards was just done, green harvest, deleafing, it now time to prepare for the harvest. Looks like the harvest is not expected to be done earlier as estimated a month ago?!
Last purchase: 2.50 hectares (2.18 acres) in Côtes de Castillon, located next to our vineyards of Valandraud. They will give us more autonomy for Bad Boy, which is primarily produced with purchased grapes from vineyards we rent, or have in tenant farming, in addition to those from my daughter’s vineyards.
Last purchase: 2.50 hectares (2.18 acres) in Côtes de Castillon, located next to our vineyards of Valandraud. They will give us more autonomy for Bad Boy, which is primarily produced with purchased grapes from vineyards we rent, or have in tenant farming, in addition to those from my daughter’s vineyards.
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