Bordeaux 2013: Merlot harvest brought forward in race against rot

(Decanter) - A spate of hot and humid weather has led many Bordeaux estates to bring forward their Merlot harvest, as overall conditions remain 'hugely challenging'. Almost every classified property in Margaux, including Palmer, Lascombes and Chateau Margaux itself began harvesting Merlot grapes on 27 September, as did Chateau Latour in Pauillac. Merlot had been expected to remain on the vine until early October. Cabernets are now likely start on 4 October, also a few days earlier than anticipated, as estates seek to make the best of a tough year by balancing ripeness against the threat of rot. ‘There is no longer hope for a great vintage, that is over,’ Stéphane Derenoncourt, consultant for estates across Bordeaux and including Prieuré Lichine in Margaux and Petit Village in Pomerol, told decanter.com. ‘It is a vintage for rich winemakers; those who have the means to spend the necessary time, care and effort. The wines will have aromatic intensity but many will lack tannic maturity.’ However, he said low Merlot yields mean there has been ‘just about enough time for them to concentrate the sugars and reach phenolic maturity’.

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