Unprecedented hot and dry conditions in 2022 led to small yields, and consequently highly concentrated wines with big tannin potential. Some vines suffered in the drought but many grapes adapted early on and, with careful and sensitive work in the vineyards, vines were able to stay active and green until harvest, with small but healthy berries. Picking dates were crucial, as was gentle extraction, while strategies for vinifications and preserving acidity varied. Where successful, the best examples show surprising freshness and supreme charm, with a large number of wines that are both immensely appealing and approachable but will also age.
With any new Bordeaux vintage there is the inevitable hype – it’s the most scrutinised wine region in the world, with more than 7,000 people coming to the region this April to taste, rate and give their opinions on the new wines. The year presented never-seen-before climatic conditions, with ‘earliest ever’ harvests, irrigation permitted in places for the first time and nail-biting decisions throughout the year regarding vineyard management, cover crop usage, de-leafing strategies, picking dates, maceration lengths (and temperatures), and ultimately the preparation of primeur samples – many consisting of the wine’s final blend, but not all.
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Bu hikaye Decanter dergisinin July 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.
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Bu hikaye Decanter dergisinin July 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.
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Wine wisdom
Our regular learning section helps you get more from your glass
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It's a vintage to bring cheer to Tuscany lovers' hearts, and the first of what is being billed as a strong run of three to come. The successful 2019 Brunello wines offer richness, balance and immediate appeal while also managing to avoid excess
