Chateau owners in Medoc say the Bordeaux 2015 vintage has got off to a good start following excellent flowering conditions in the vineyard, despite some concerns over recent rain.
Image: Chateau Margaux vines.
The flowering period of the Bordeaux 2015 growing season has put chateaux owners in an optimistic mood, with several describing conditions as ‘perfect’.
‘There is still a long way to go, but we have nice, big bunches and that means there is good potential for quantity,’ said Philippe Dhalluin, of first growth Chateau Mouton Rothschild in Pauillac.
The character and quality of the Bordeaux 2015 vintage can still be determined in the next three months. There have already been concerns about rot in some vineyards due to recent bouts of rain.
In 2014, the growing season got off to an early start but was pinned back by a cold, damp August – only to be rescued by the hottest September in Bordeaux for decades.
Flowering at Chateau Montrose in St Estephe
At Chateau du Tertre and Chateau Giscours, director Alexander Van Beek said he was particularly impressed with the Merlot flowering period. ‘We haven’t seen this with Merlot for years,’ he told Decanter.com.
