Bordeaux 2009: Edouard Moueix

Pomerol from Justerini & Brooks on Vimeo.

Edouard, ever the gentleman, gives us his thoughts on the exceptional 2009 vintage at both Providence and Belair-Monange...

Pomerol 2009 - Harvest complete

We have now finished the harvest and are astonished with the quality of the vintage.It has been a very long harvest, in two periods:

- The first one for the younger vines and gravelly soils of Pomerol before the rain of September 19th and 20th;

- The second, from September 25th until October 6th for the older vines and clayey soils in Pomerol, and the Merlot of Saint-Emilion, followed by the Cabernet Franc from both appellations to end.

Some tanks have already been drained and pressed, and we are finding extremely complex wines with a creamness that could be a typicity of the vintage.

Despite the high level of alcohol, there is a freshness, giving great balance in the wines, held tight together by a certain structure of ripe and round tannins.

The only disappointment is the small yield. We were expecting more wine, but the warm and sunny early fall along with dry winds concentrated the berries.

I can clearly say that it is the most amazing quality I have seen so far, and some people in our team who have been around for much longer than I have claim the same thing.... Il semblerait que nous soyons en face d'un très grand vin de garde!

Pomerol's 2009 Harvest (continued)

Just a quick note after a few days of harvest:

It is now Thursday 17th of September, and we have been harvesting various parcels of young(er) vines and gravelly soils for four days now. We picked Providence on Tuesday, Wednesday and today, and all that are left to do are the old blocks planted in 1945 and 1985.

The result, in the tanks before fermentation, is stunning. The potential alcohol is fairly high, there is nice structure and a freshness which is crucial for the balance of the future wine.

The weather forecast over the weekend is not fantastic so the few days ripeness we have gained through a massive amount of work pampering the vines over the summer has allowed us to have important parcels picked dry and under a shinning sun. The remaining ones that need more hanging time due to cooler soils or higher age will then be ready mid to late next week when we are supposed to have very nice weather again. Saint-Emilion will probably be ready around this time also.

Pomerol's 2009 Harvest

To sum up the situation as of today. We are planning on harvesting on Monday, starting with a young parcel of La Fleur-Pétrus planted on deep gravels and therefore faster maturing. On Tuesday, we plan on picking the first parcel of Providence. We walked through it this morning and it was almost ready, so with the extremely sunny weekend we will no doubt have, it will probably gain the last bit of maturity needed. But these are only projections of course. I will keep you posted on the evolution throughout the week.

Weather-wise, we have been very lucky so far, with a warm summer since mid-June, and just enough rain to keep the vines healthy. We are optimistic, but as we say in French, lets not put the plough before the ox!

Edouard Moueix signs up to contribute to the Buyers Blog

Our newest guest blogger is none other than Edouard Moueix from the famed
Jean-Pierre Moueix Estate.

Edouard has agreed to give us an insight into a right bank Bordelais harvest. Getting the early news from one of the most significant and prominent families in Pomerol and St Emilion should be a fascinating addition to our blog and we feel honoured to have Eduoard on board.

Expect to hear the latest news from the harvest at Providence in Pomerol, as well as news from Bélair-Monange and a host of other Moeuix properties.

A five minute chat with Edouard this morning gives us further indications that 2009 is shaping up as a vintage of great potential. Thus far the summer of 2009 has been one of five hottest in the past 50 years. Only 2003, 1976, 1989 and 1990 surpass it. A recent smattering of rain arrived as if bidden. As we approach the vendage these are exciting signs. Follow the harvest as it happens right here on our blog.