Château Cartier 2018

Vintage weather conditions

2018 was a warm year, rainy in the spring then dry during the summer.
After a generally cool and damp winter, the vines began to bud late and the high levels of water in the soil caused them to warm up more slowly. Rainfall remained at high levels during the spring, accompanied with above-average temperatures. These conditions significantly promoted downy mildew, and biodynamics particularly helped to mitigate losses. Dry weather set in with the arrival of the summer. It was the hottest summer season on record since 2003. However, the year did not suffer from the bottlenecks observed in the past, as the spring rain ensured sufficient water resources for the soil. Veraison was early. The grapes ripened in perfect conditions: dry weather with high levels of temperature variation between night and day, which is very conducive to good polyphenol development. This weather produced grapes with good tannic potential and a southern style, which we had to take care not to enhance during the winemaking process. Retaining freshness was the key to success here.

Tasting notes

A beautifully deep colour. Refined on the nose, offering up blackberry, smoky spice, peppermint and pastry aromas in turn. The wine is soft in the attack before quickly gaining breadth with silky tannins and a beautifully tonic, lingering finish.