The 1999 vintage should be favorable to the reds thanks to abundant and extractable tannins. The only unknown lies in the level of maturity they�ll be able to attain. With good weather, the quality this year should be quite high.  The whites must be watched more closely due to the presence of catalysts for rot. Rot disturbs the grapes� first days of maturity and sows anguish in winemakers who have to choose dates for the harvest. This year has brought us all the conditions needed for the development of Botrytis.  Fortunately the beginning of September has brought dry warmth, allowing us to wait for optimum maturity with greater peace of mind. While the yield is important, the sorting of grapes in the vineyard will be critical to the quality of the wines.

Cotes du Rhone and Chateauneuf du Pape

For BG, the harvest begins September 9 for the Cotes du Rhone, and around September 13 for the Chateauneuf du Pape. Curiously, we�re going to find in 1999 the same difficulties we had in vinifying the �98s, but even more pronounced.

Grenache has excellent yield this year, but some lots had concerns about fungus. There is definitely a risk of lack of structure. Indeed, the structure of the Grenache falls very fast as soon as production gets too high. And in addition, its percentage is growing in the assemblages, which emphasizes how important quality control is. I hope to resolve the problem with vineyard sorting and by optimizing extraction from the syrah grapes. Another difficulty looms with the Carignane, which is less concentrated than last year. It really helped us a lot in �98.

The Bordeaux region

This region will certainly have seen the strongest concerns about healthy grapes during the growing season.  Indeed, considering the moderate climate, we weren�t helped here by periods of dry north winds. We are going to have to pay a lot of attention to the whites, especially the Sauvignon Blanc, which is so susceptible to rot. The reds are more resistant and appear to present a good potential for tannins.  The weather in early September, heat without rain, certainly benefited us. But the traditional equinox rain came, and this will force winemakers to use all of their art to make the best wine. Those that do not have the latest technology or up-to-date expertise will be challenged. It is still too early to say more...The harvest started September 20. And so far so good, assuming that the rot doesn�t get any worse than we expect at the moment!

The 1999 vintage for the blended Languedoc vines

For the blended (cepage) wines, the �99 vintage is starting out more difficult than the last in terms of quality, even if the first field inspections allow us to expect good reds. Of course, the �98 vintage was exceptional for its quality.  Winemakers know how difficult it will be to maintain this level in �99. The difficulties will have to be overcome with increased grape selection and winemaking ingenuity. It is ironic that this year began with concerns about drought, and ended with concerns about excessive humidity and rot!

Today, we�re seeing all the conditions favorable to the most important risk: rot. And this despite year-long efforts in vine treatments. In addition, in the last few days, moist sea winds and cool nights have worked together to maintain a constant humidity. Thus setting the dates for harvest has immense importance. The winemaker is caught between two risks: harvesting too early for fear of rot, or waiting for perfect maturity and leaving oneself exposed to rot development.

For these reasons, we planned to begin the harvest the week of August 23, but finally pushed it back a week despite predictions of rain. At the beginning of the week of August 30, the rising north wind helped us out, so the harvest began last week in very good conditions. Maturity progressed significantly with a drying of the grapes affected by botrytis. Now it�s underway! And it was necessary to go very fast. By September 5, BG brought in 80% of its Chardonnay, with a delay due to rain on Friday September 3.

Then it�s time for the Sauvignon Blanc, which is less advanced than the Chardonnay, the opposite of last year. La Vistoule finally finished bringing them in and even started the merlot at an average of 13% of potential alcohol.  These merlots are strongly colored, which seems to confirm the polyphenol analyses: I�m more and more confident about the quality of the �99 reds!

Concerning the majority of the reds, I think that we should wait another ten days. But the risk of rot is slightly less important. Surer analysis of the tannins allows us to assume that they are abundant, of good quality, and easily extractable. I wouldn�t dare believe this just from the vineyard appearance. Let�s wait for the grapes with this note of optimism!

The Seagram Chateau Estate Wines Company, a division of Joseph E. Seagram Sons, Inc., with principal offices in San Mateo and Napa Valley, California and New York City, produces and markets the wines of Sterling Vineyards, Tessera, The Monterey Vineyard and the sparkling wines of Mumm Cuvee Napa. The company is the exclusive U.S. importer of G.H. Mumm and Perrier-Jouet Champagnes, Barton Guestier wines, Brancott Vineyards from New Zealand and Sandeman Ports and Sherries; and is the largest importer of classified Bordeaux in the United States.  The portfolio is completed by Dominus in the Napa Valley, a collection of Burgundy estate-bottled wines, F.E. Trimbach wines from Alsace, Castello d�Albola in Chianti, and several other European wines and spirits.