even harvested. We had a normal véraison at the end of July but then August was rainy, indeed we had rain that fell on fully 20 different days. This swelled the bunches but despite the relatively big crop, by delaying the beginning of the harvest until September 25th, we realized very good sugars at around 13.2%. It required 9 1/2 days to pick the crop versus only 4 in 2003 and we picked until the 3rd of October and the last time we finished a harvest in October was in 1991. One of the reasons it took so long to harvest was the excruciating sorting that was necessary in almost every parcel to make sure that we got the best and cleanest fruit. There was a tremendous amount of malic acid and the wines were impossible to taste before the malos finished and when they did finish, I was surprised by how much oxygen they needed. I stirred the lees for a bit longer than usual to help fatten the mid-palates. Because of the late malos and how much the wines continue to improve, I don't believe that we will bottle before June as opposed to our usual March or April dates. I have included a note here from Leflaive's new 9 ha domaine in the Mâconnais that is run by a cousin of director Anne-Claude Leflaive. The élevage is currently being done in Puligny in the old Chartron et Trebuchet facility. Note that the wines will be sold under the Domaine Joseph Leflaive label. (Wilson-Daniels, St. Helena, CA; John Armit Wines, Corney & Barrow, Lea & Wheeler, Richard Walford, Justerini & Brooks and Tanners, all UK). This is almost as backward as the Bienvenues though supremely elegant white flower and subtle spice aromas peek through the moderate reduction yet the piercingly mineral flavors display a beguiling sweetness on the crystalline and incredibly precise finish that seems to have no end. This will be a great wine in time as it's clear that there is another dimension here compared to all of the previous wines.
(hide)
