Domaine de Baron’Arques Chardonnay 2018
Climate Conditions:
After a mild January, the end of the 2017-18 winter was colder than in previous years, with temperatures falling to a low of -9° C on 27 February. Nonetheless, budbreak started on 24 March, a normal date for the estate.
Winter and spring were very wet. As a result, despite normal temperatures in April, May and June, flowering took place a few days later than usual, starting on 1 June with the Merlot and ending on 16 June with the Cabernet Sauvignon.
July was stormy and hot, August and September hot and dry. Veraison took place as usual between 2 and 25 August.
Because of the late summer heat, picking started with the Merlot on 28 September, a few days earlier than the average, and ended with a last parcel of Malbec on 17 October. The grapes were harvested at optimum ripeness. The average yield for the red grape varieties was 47 hl/ha, in line with our expectations.
47% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc, 21% Syrah, 5% Malbec, 2% Cabernet Sauvignon
