The 2019 Vintage in the Val d’Orcia

Frost on 7 May required more than 9,000 candles in the lowest vineyards. Prolonged spring cold delayed flowering, especially in Semillon and Merlot, producing loose bunches, small berries and thick skins. Intense August heat then stopped vine activity, while another temperature drop at the end of the month further delayed Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot.

Semillon harvesting began on 14 September in two or three passes, together with a small amount of hillside Merlot. Merlot and Cabernet Franc followed at unusually close intervals. Despite a cool, rainy beginning to October, five or six particularly strong parcels were identified for each of those varieties. Warm autumn weather allowed Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot to remain until 23–24 October. The cold periods of May and late August left the young wines fresher and initially less dense than usual.