Château Fonroque 2013
Weather Conditions During the Growing Season
Winter and early spring were cold, with slightly above-average rainfall, which caused a delay in vegetative growth. Rainfall was heavy in May and June, both in terms of total precipitation and the number of rainy days (28 days in the Libourne region over the two months). Heavy rains around the time of flowering (more than 120 mm in a week in some areas) caused exceptional levels of fruit drop and small berry size.
The humidity, combined with low temperatures, helped prevent an explosive outbreak of downy mildew despite the high pressure. The summer, although late, was hot and sunny, with frequent thunderstorms in July and early August. These summer conditions allowed for rapid growth and helped make up for some of the delay in the growing season. Veraison was slow to set in due to the presence of water in the soil. The fall was wet.
It was necessary to bring forward the harvest on certain plots, as the grapes became highly susceptible to gray mold as they neared optimal ripeness.
Total vineyard area
Region of Harvest
Grape Varieties Harvested
Harvest Dates
Wine Production
Cultivation Method
Livestock Farming
Tasting
Harmony is achieved through minimalist winemaking that treats the grapes with great respect. In a vintage like this, oenological “tinkering” may create a fleeting illusion of quality during the spring but very quickly robs the wine of the true balance essential to its longevity.
Comment
