Yquem-Sauternes 1991 4df5d4d9d819b397555d03cedf085f48

Yquem-Sauternes 1991 4df5d4d9d819b397555d03cedf085f48

The year was marked by a severe spring frost which reduced part of the production. 4df5d4d9d819b397555d03cedf085f48 But thanks to the combination of favorable weather in Sauternes and a great terroir, the harvest allowed the production of a classic and tasty vintage. 4df5d4d9d819b397555d03cedf085f48 Meteorology 1991 encountered weather conditions, during the vegetative phase, of the same type as its two illustrious predecessors, 1989 and 1990. In collective memory, the 1991 vintage is synonymous with frosts, storms and rainy harvests. 4df5d4d9d819b397555d03cedf085f48 But it is necessary to look objectively at the data to put this vintage in its rightful place. 4df5d4d9d819b397555d03cedf085f48 Spring It is characterized by hot and very dry weather, favoring an early bud burst which will be heavily penalized by the memorable frost of April 21st. 4df5d4d9d819b397555d03cedf085f48 From midnight, the thermometer indicates 1°C at 1.50m under shelter. 4df5d4d9d819b397555d03cedf085f48 8 hours of freezing will follow. 4df5d4d9d819b397555d03cedf085f48 The damage is considerable, and the consequences very heterogeneous depending on the location of the plots (a total of 30% damage for Yquem). 4df5d4d9d819b397555d03cedf085f48 This will result in an evolution of the vine at two speeds: the plots little or not affected, taking advantage of favorable weather, evolve perfectly with an above-average harvest potential; 4df5d4d9d819b397555d03cedf085f48 the plots affected by the frost leave at their own pace, and the ideal weather conditions encountered later will compensate for the initial loss and will only shift the maturity of these grapes over time. 4df5d4d9d819b397555d03cedf085f48 Summer Summer is hot. 4df5d4d9d819b397555d03cedf085f48 In July and August, temperatures are higher than normal for the season. 4df5d4d9d819b397555d03cedf085f48 The average temperature in August is above 1990 (sixteen days above 30°C), which is comparable to the years 1928, 1947 and 1990. Rainfall is normal in July and August. 4df5d4d9d819b397555d03cedf085f48 September will end this excellent climatic preparation with a climatic temperature with a high temperature, and a total of rainfall similar to normal (51mm). 4df5d4d9d819b397555d03cedf085f48 It is important to note that the Sauternes appellation, with its 51mm of rain, stands out from other Bordeaux regions in this area: 181mm of rain falls in Lesparre, 165mm in Haillan and 164mm in Targon. 4df5d4d9d819b397555d03cedf085f48 This excessive rainfall noted in some other Bordeaux appellations is undoubtedly the cause of the bad reputation of the harvests of this vintage. 4df5d4d9d819b397555d03cedf085f48 In mid-September, the harvest, below normal, was not homogeneous. 4df5d4d9d819b397555d03cedf085f48 The vine really knows two different evolutions. 4df5d4d9d819b397555d03cedf085f48 This situation can be problematic for red wines or dry white wines, whereas in Sauternes, given the successive sorting of grapes that are practiced there, it presents no difficulty. 4df5d4d9d819b397555d03cedf085f48