Chateau Pichon Longueville Baron 2019

2019 was marked by a rainy spring and start to June, followed by a hot, dry summer. Cool spring temperatures alleviated the virulence of the mildew, and the year's favourable weather conditions created an environment free from the threat of cryptogamic infection.
The rapid warming of the soil at the end of winter led to steady and even budburst, with slow growth. Unfortunately, these cool spring conditions were not favourable to flowering and caused moderate coulure, except in our earliest-ripening terroirs.
The last ten days of June gave way to hot and dry summer weather punctuated by some rain in late July and early August. The sunshine and heat stimulated the fruit aromas of the Cabernets and the concentration of polyphenols in the skins.

Limited water during ripening accelerated sugar concentration and the breakdown of acids, and increased the grapes' phenolic potential. These conditions were also favourable to the quality of the tannins. Mid-veraison was reached between 4th and 5th August on the early-ripening plots and ended quickly and evenly in mid-August.

The grapes became particularly rich in mid-September due to the hot, dry conditions, then the first rains in late September weakened the skins and accelerated the harvest. This very welcome moisture stabilised the sugar concentration and allowed us to continue the harvest more serenely. 2019 was characterised by high potential alcohol content and low total acidity (little malic acid).

The harvest took place from 18th September to 1st October for the Merlot and from 30th September to 11th October for the Cabernet-Sauvignon.