Vintage 2011,very early ripening!
After an early 2011 winter that was rather mild and dry, spring arrived by the end of March. Summer-like temperatures gave way to an extremely fast leaf growth.
Bud burst occurred within a few days by the beginning of April, which is three weeks earlier than the average of the 1994-2010 period.
Starting from the end of March, a hot, dry weather settles for three following months. This stimulates explosive and very quick flowering from the third week of May, more than two weeks earlier than usual.
Weather conditions change drastically after the 14th of July bringing autumn rain and cool air.
Veraison starts during the second half of July, but the maturation drags! The vineyards though remain in a healthy condition.
Despite the fact that the exceptional spring advance in growing season was lost, the harvest starts in the end of August and lasts until mid-September, thanks to the return of a beautiful, dry, sunny and very mild weather.
This sunny weather during harvesting, allowed us to optimize picking date of each plot and to wait patiently until the grapes mature perfectly.
At Domaine Jacques Prieur, harvesting began on the 30th of August.
Grape variety : 100% Pinot Noir on a 1.59 hectare plot.
South-facing sun exposure very steep. Meagre, light brown silty and clay-limestone soil. Fractured limestone. Former quarry. Perfect drainage.
The grapes were handpicked into small crates, then sorted and totally destemmed. The wine stayed on the skins for 19 days in temperature-controlled open oak vats. Pigeage (punching down the cap) was done twice a day during alcoholic fermentation.
100% malolactic fermentation
The wine was aged entirely in new oak barrels.
Duration of barrel ageing: 17 months
Tasted in June 2013
COLOUR: Ruby-red with purple highlights.
NOSE: Very expressive, with floral (rose, peony) and toasted/roasted overtones, going on to reveal fine berry fruit.
PALATE: Soft, fresh, pleasant, and digestible, with crunchy, tasty fruit. Elegant, spicy tannin.
Your pdf has been send with success.