After excellent weather in early June, a week of cold and rain in the middle of the month interfered with the end of flowering and the beginning of fruit set. Incomplete fertilisation in some Merlot vines led to millerandage, although it is difficult at this time to evaluate the consequences on the future crop. While coulure (or shot berries, due to the absence of fertilisation) reduces the number of grapes per bunch, millerandage (tiny, aborted berries) necessitates careful sorting at harvest time.

The fairly cool temperatures for the season (less than 11°C) during this rainy period nevertheless protected the vines from mildew. Manifestations of fungal disease were quite low.

The weather has once again been beautiful for the past two weeks and the grapes are developing well, as illustrated by these photos of the same bunch of Cabernet Sauvignon taken over 6 days in a plot called "La Pièce du Chai".



A second round of tying up is coming to an end and, helped by 50 seasonal workers, our vineyard workers are continuing to remove side shoots, which they started doing in mid-June.

In the cellar, we are preparing to bottle 2008 Alter Ego and 2008 Château Palmer next week.