(Photo of Chateau Angludet in Margaux)
The 2024 vintage for Bordeaux was, by most accounts, challenging, with mercurial weather playing havoc with much of the growing season.
The Winter was extremely wet, with levels of rain not seen since 2000. This resulted in a lack of photosynthesis in the leaves, many producers implementing the practice of growing grass between the rows to help increase competition for water, a valuable measure in the vintage.
However, temperatures were also warmer than usual, and the humid conditions incentivised an early yet reasonably successful budburst.
This muggy environment also made for a natural breeding ground for rot and mildew, while the risk of frost, although relatively low, retreated.
For organic and biodynamic producers, warding off the mildew that would persist throughout the entire growing season was no mean feat.
Thus, Winter’s slink into Spring was precarious at best for both vineyards and viticulturalists alike.
Summer arrived finally on June 30, with the best weather from mid July to late August, finally halting growth of leaves and shoots, and paving the way for hydric stress and veraison in most vineyards. Skins and tannins were ripening, and enthusiasm was gaining momentum.
As temperatures fell during the nights at the end of August, grape skins thickened, and there was a rapid development of anthocyanins and polyphenols, integral in development for the final wines.
Ten years ago, a vintage with these challenges would have been disastrous, but times have changed and Bordeaux, possibly more so than any other region in the world has safeguarded itself, both technically and strategically to face adversity and even triumph in this new normal of ‘dérèglement climatique.’
If you are interested in hearing about our 2024 Primeur offers – please email orders@waudwines.com
