Château Palmer 2011

"2011 will be remembered as the earliest vintage of the 2000s. The vegetative year began with an exceptionally warm spring and Sec. The first consequence was a very advanced bud-break. The first flowers appeared in the Château Palmer vineyard as early as May 10. The lack of rainfall accentuated the early hydric stress on our vines, and we noted a few cases of coulure on our oldest Merlot plots.

On June 4, just as the grapes were forming, a hailstorm hit our vineyards, reducing the harvest's quantitative potential. The rain that accompanied the storm nevertheless gave the vines a chance to recharge their batteries before another dry spell lasting until July 14. The young grapes, sensitive at this stage of their development, suffered from the scorching heat of June. Some of them are burnt and end up falling off.

This "scalding" led to a further reduction in the quantity of the 2011 vintage. In mid-July, temperatures dropped. The vines recover. The rainfall was beneficial for the vine's natural cycle. Veraison took place in very good conditions.

At the end of August, the sun reappeared and faithfully accompanied us throughout the harvest. The harvest began on September 7 with the earliest-ripening Merlot. Clean acidity and a fine concentration of precise tannins are the guarantee of this vintage's formidable capacity to evolve."

- Château Palmer