2009 Season in BDX?

WINE TALK
1

Any word out there how things are progressing heading toward harvest in the not too distant future? I haven’t seen any threads on it, but I could have missed them.

Chris

2

I haven’t heard any updates since the May hailstorms which apparently damaged a good chunk of crops.

3

I have asked Richie Rich to join to give some commentary since he was recently there.

4

Please lord (Parker? [worship.gif] [swoon.gif] ) let this vintage be poor so I don’t have to buy more futures.

5

It’s too early to tell. But flowering took place under great conditions and according to several growers, at this point everything looks very good. In fact, August has been a perfect month so far. Much better than in 08,07,06,04,03,02 & 01. The crop is expected to be large and while many Chateau have done extensive green harvesting, there will probably be a lot of wine. All that being said, it’s still early. Gernerally speaking, August makes the quality and September/October determine the style.

6

The hail damage in May was very heavily localized and thus will not have a major impact on overall production. My heart nevertheless goes out to those unlucky vineyard owners who were devastated by the storm.

The summer weather has been up and down so far, but largely sunny and dry of late.
However, there has been a “yo-yo” effect with the temperature this summer.
For instance, it is currently 33°C, but as inevitably happens, showers will hit on Sunday with a 10°C drop in temperature from one day to the next.

Things are looking good. If the prensent trend continues, we will be going towards an early harvest - and early harvests tend to mean quality wines.

Best regards,
Alex R.

7

OH NO!!! Now, you’re cheerleading here? We’ll at least I get to kick your ass. [dance-clap.gif]

2009 will be better than 2008 and prices will be higher. I can guarantee that. If it’s not the way, they’ll make it like that. [stirthepothal.gif]

8

Yes, the freedom is refreshing, isn’t it?

Best regards,
Alex R.

9

Do you know where the damage was localized? In other words, who or what sections were hit?

10

Bob

Southern Margaux, and some parts of Graves were lightly hit. Interestingly, there was a similar hail storm in that area in 2008 that took place in the same month.

The worst damage occurred to parts of St Emilion, where some properties suffered a tremendous amount of loss like Trottvieille, Barde Haut and Cannon La Gaffeliere. Properties in Cotes Castillon experienced severe damage, up to 90% in some cases. It is so bad for some of those growers, that not only will they not have much if any fruit to harvest in 2009, their 2010 may also be effected. For owners whose only properties are located in Cotes Castillon, this is particularly devastating.

11

Who cares about Bore-Doh where all wines taste the same neener - how are things shaping up in Champagne and Burgundy!?

12

Bob,

The appellations the worst damaged were the Entre-Deux-Mers and Côtes regions of Bordeaux, although one tends to hear more about much smaller areas where the estates are more prestigious.

Peter,

Yeah, right. Six thousand estates. All taste the same…
I like Champagne too and admit that some carefully-chose Burgundy can be good as well.

Best regards,
Alex R.