| Trottevieille 2003 • December 2004 | TROTTEVIEILLE - 1st Great Classified Growth "B"
2003 Vintage
- Weather conditions :
A dry year. The beginning of the winter was rainy, and then around mid-December cold weather set in with sunshine and a little bit of rain. February had more rainfall but was very windy. From March to May, the weather was unsettled with sunshine, rain and thunderstorms.
The summer was very sunny and dry with some rain at the beginning of June and the beginning of July. Heat-wave conditions set in during August with some thunderstorms during the second half of the month. September was very sunny.
- The Growing Season :
The flowering started on the 30th May and finished on June 10th. After rain showers at the beginning and end of June, then at the beginning of July, the colour change of the grapes began on the 20th July.
A first de-leafing was carried out as well as the first thinning out of the bunches in mid-July. During the last two weeks of August we decided not to proceed with the second de-leafing and instead just culled out those bunches that were behind the others in the ripening process.
Trottevieille’s vines performed very well in this intense heat-wave, and no blocking of vegetation growth was observed. The balance between the soil and its subsoil enabled a smooth ripening of the grapes.
- Harvest :
The picking started on the 15th September for the Merlot and the 22nd September for the Cabernets. The harvest was superb with grapes of the finest quality.
- Vinification :
The grapes were picked in small crates. They were then sorted, de-stemmed, placed on a vibrating table with another sorting, and then crushed before being sent into the vat.
We were fortunate in having brought in grapes that had not suffered from the weather conditions, thanks to our outstanding terroir.
The yield was very low for Trottevieille with 24 hectolitres per hectare. A strict selection was made, which meant that this year we also made some Vieille Dame de Trottevieille.
Our aim for the 2003 vintage was to extract as much fruit and freshness as possible. The colours were very deep and the tannins very ripe.
We think, as do our oenologists Gilles Pauquet and Denis Dubourdieu, that we have succeeded in making a great wine, which is structured and full of charm. In a nutshell, an outstanding vintage. | |
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