2016 Château Prieuré La Marzelle

A late millésime favored by an exceptional summer and late season.

A year marked by contrasting climatic sequences.The winter is mild and rainy with cumulative rainfall above normal, favoring an early bud break. But this advance is subsequently erased by the persistence of cool temperatures in April, May and June, lower than the average thirty years. The summer, from July to September is warm, very sunny and dry, which is very rare in our region.

Our second year in Biodynamics allows the vine to pass remarkably this water stress appeared as of July. The maturation of the grapes takes place slowly. Under the effect of two stormy episodes in mid-September the maturity is accelerating.

The harvest begins on 29 September and ends on 14 October 2016. They last eight days but are spread over three weeks in search of the optimal phenolic maturity of each plot.
Our high-tech harvest reception allows us to consider, in addition to a parcel selection, a grain-by-grain selection. To vinify this advanced sorting we use 48 barrels of 500 liters in full vinification as well as our stainless steel tank perfectly regulated.

The first wine is aged in new French oak barrels but also, for the preservation of the fruit, in six 500-liter jars.