We were considerably worried by the heavy rainfalls at the end of August and in early September. As the grapes, especially in some Gamay plots were starting to become damaged, we went into the vineyards to remove them before the harvest.
Then, the sun returned with a very dry wind causing the ripeness of the grapes to increase in an unusual way.We started the harvest on September 21st. by picking the Chardonnay followed by the Pinot Noir, the Sauvignon and finished by picking the Gamay on October 5th. The Romorantin needs time to exude its best. We waited until October 19th. to harvest it and the ripeness was magnificent. A part of the harvest reserved for our vintage ‘J.M.Tendresse’ (a gentle, sweet dessert wine) was hand picked.
2002, a complicated but fabulous year...