2024
2024 was marked by record rainfall throughout France, and Chinon was no exception.
The vines were spared springtime frosts, but later were subject to pressure from mildew starting in early May and through mid-August. We spent the spring and summer fighting the disease that attacked the foliage and many grapes on some plots.
There was no Indian summer; September was also rainy, forcing us to postpone the harvest until October. We were hoping that brighter days would allow the grapes to fully ripen, but the sugar content was minimal.
The Cabernet Franc stood up to the poor weather conditions even if mildew limited yields to about 30 hl/ha. For the thin-skinned chenin, we had to find a shorter harvest window and pick the grapes quickly before they became waterlogged.
The reds have sufficient color and body, with a sugar content between 11.5 and 12.5 g/l and are neither green nor aggressive. A wet vintage therefore, but a generous one, to drink in its youth, except for our fine “Clos Guillot” and “Croix Boissée” which were less affected thanks to the natural drainage of the two plots.
There will be no cuvée “Les Grézeaux”, as the grapes soaked up too much water.
The white wine from the Croix Boissée plot will once again be blended into the “Domaine” white.
