Bordeaux 2009 harvest kicks off

Pessac Léognan estate Château Carbonnieux has kicked off the 2009 Bordeaux vintage, making this a much earlier harvest than 2008.

Carbonnieux’s Sauvignon Blanc grapes were picked on Thursday August 27 and first growth Château Haut-Brion is due to follow early next week.

Carbonnieux director Eric Perrin told decanter.com, ‘We are bringing in grapes with a potential alcohol of between 12.5 and 13°, and with a great delicacy and freshness.

‘The harvest began last year on September 5, and with both red and whites we are around one week to 10 days in advance of 2008, with a larger quantity and healthier grapes.’

The earlier harvest is as a result of the warmer growing season, with a largely dry and sunny summer. The yield is expected to be normal at around 35-40 hectolitres per hectare.

Carbonnieux expects the Sauvignon harvest to last for the next ten days, followed by Sémillon around September 10, and Merlot in mid-to late-September.

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Written by Jane Anson