Château Pomeaux 2012 75cl

The difficult 2011 vintage in Bordeaux was succeeded by another difficult vintage. The 2012 Bordeaux vintage did not get off to an auspicious start.  Following a cold winter and a wet spring, April rains drenched the Bordeaux wine region.  Following the April rains, there were outbreaks of mildew, which required treatment.  May was warmer than April, but June was cooler again, resulting in flowering that was late and uneven. This resulted in small bunches of berries that ripened at different times, which reduced quantities and necessitated serious work in the vineyards and intensive sorting at harvest. After an average July, Bordeaux experienced a torrid heat spell and drought in August and September that stressed the vines.  Temperatures exceeded 100 degrees Fahrenheit on several days, soaring to 107 degrees at one point. Near the end of September, conditions improved through a combination of warm days, cool nights, and some desperately needed rain, which helped nourish the vines. Early October coupled warm temperatures during the day with cool nights. Most estates harvested two to three weeks later than normal. Ripening was uneven and individual grapes in bunches achieved varying degrees of ripeness, which made sorting critically important. This resulted in low yields for most producers.  The 2012 Bordeaux vintage was a difficult year for winemakers. Estates that took the necessary actions in the vineyards during the growing season, and that severely declassified unripe grapes, produced high quality wines, but in small quantities.  The French Minister of Agriculture reported that 2012 produced the lowest yields in Bordeaux since 1991, when some estates declassified their entire harvest, and production of European wines were at their lowest levels since 1975.  Fortunately, for estates that exercised prudence, especially those in Pomerol and St. Emilion, the quality of 2012 Bordeaux wines can be exceptional.

Learn more and read the reviews of the 2012 vintage