Comtesse de Lalande - Castle Pichon Longueville - Pauillac 2008

Comtesse de Lalande - Castle Pichon Longueville - Pauillac 2008

After a mild winter, the months of March and April were quite cool and humid, causing a late bud burst, which took place from March 27th, about 10 days later than in 2007. The month of May was mild and still rainy, favoring Strong pressure of mildew. The flowering period was also unfavorable, cold temperatures overcast and rain, again, caused sagging and millerandage of the grapes. The harvest potenitle has been affected at this stage. The mid bloom period took place between 6 and 12 June. At that time, the Cabernets Sauvignons and the Petits Verdots were more precocious than the Merlots. At prehistoric times, yield forecasts were rather pessimistic. The month of July was rather cool, and August experienced quite frequent rainy episodes. The mid-vineyard of the Merlots took place around 13 August, that of the Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Petits Verdots between 26 and 28 August. The veraison and the beginning of the maturation took place under a climate, cooler than the seasonal normal. All physiological stages were delayed by about 10 days compared to 2007. Luckily the month of September was cool and sunny with a lot of wind. Benefiting from these climatic conditions, the clusters began to concentrate slowly. The pressure of gray rot gradually diminished. Concentrations of polyphenols and sugar increased. The taste of the berries evolved slowly and then crossed a heading in late September towards beautiful aromas of fruit. The acidity of the grapes remained high. Vinification: The temperature kinetics were controlled during alcoholic fermentation and maceration, in order to achieve an aromatic and velvety expression of the vintage. A few tanks were concentrated, overall the balance of alcohol-tannins-acidity was harmonious. The malo-lactic fermentations were a little long because made at low temperature (18 ° C). 50% new barrels