2011 vintage
2011 began much like 2007. The spring was very early and dry, and very hot from April 12 until May 5, with temperatures consistently approaching 30°C in the afternoon.
Both May and June were also much hotter than normal and the vines generally were in full flower by around May 20.
With vine growth so far ahead of schedule, we were anticipating a very early harvest. The state of the vines’ health was perfect at this point and mildew and oïdium were nearly non-existent.
The heat continued until July 13, when a very wet summer saved the vineyards, which were beginning to suffer from the drought.
In addition, some of our parcels of Gevrey-Chambertin east of the hillside were attacked by botrytis, following a hailstorm on July 23.
This cool, wet summer helped to balance the early advance of the very hot spring. August was marked by enough sun to allow the fruit to fully mature and a period of vine work and early sorting before the harvest left us with generally healthy grapes.
Harvest began on August 30, just one day earlier than 2007. On the slope, among the Premiers Crus and Grand Crus, the fruit was ripe and clean, but for the parcels hit by hail, heavy sorting was required.
2011 will surely be a winemaker’s vintage, producing softer, elegant wines marked by great balance between sugar and acidity and ripe aromatics.