This year has been marked by the lack of water, with almost no rain between February and September. Combined with higher than usual temperatures throughout the growing season, we picked between 7-9 days earlier than is usual. The younger vines on poorer soils suffered most from the lack of water, but on the positive side, the weather this year made for an excellent sanitary state overall.

Despite the low rainfall, production levels were around what is normal for the area. The Cabernet Sauvignon in some areas had trouble reaching ideal phenolic maturity, but in general the other varieties ripened well. We started picking the white varieties on the 21st August and the first reds on the 30th August. The harvest ended on the 29th September with the Carinyena from the higher regions of Poboleda.

In the cellar the alcoholic fermentation has progressed nicely despite the high alcohol levels. The wines pH is generally higher than in 2005 which should help the malolactic fermentation and gives us nicely balanced wines.

Labels: harvest