Domaine de Baron’Arques La Capitelle 2016

Climate Condition:

The winter of 2015-2016 was particularly mild: the estate’s weather stations recorded only five mornings of frost over the entire winter period and temperatures were 1 to 2° C higher than normal. 252 mm of rain fell between 1 November 2015 and 31 March 2016, helping to reconstitute water reserves in the soil.

Budbreak came early, starting on 18 March for the Syrah and ending on 1 April for the Cabernet Sauvignon, ten days earlier than the average. The usual amount of rain fell in April, May and June but the weather was cool, with average temperatures 1° C lower than normal, holding back vegetation growth. Flowering took place from 3 to 15 June, five days later than the average.

July, August and September were hot and dry, with temperatures 1° C higher than normal and only 35 mm of rainfall. However, the estate’s clay-limestone soil proved resistant to drought. Veraison took place from 4 to 22 August, the usual dates for the estate.

Thanks to very fine late-summer weather, the grapes reached optimum maturity in perfect health. The harvest took place in excellent conditions and ended three days earlier than in an average year.

50% Merlot, 37% Syrah, 10% Malbec, and 3% Cabernet Franc.