CHATEAU BERNADOTTE - 2007 Vintage
Winter
Mild and dry.
Spring
Rain at the beginning of February and early budburst, the Merlot on March 25th and the Cabernet Sauvignon on April 3rd. A wet month of March and a particularly hot dry month of April accelerated the budburst of the vine and vegetative growth. Because of this advance precise and very sustained work was necessary in the vineyard. Variable weather from the end of April, alternating without interruption between rain and sun, gave rise to fungicide pressure. The numerous and specifically targeted phytosanitary treatments of the vine kept all our teams mobilized. As of May 10th a precocious but spread out flowering took place. The chaotic meteorological conditions during this period generated flower abortion particularly in the Cabernet Sauvignon. Mid-flowering : around May 26th for the Merlot and May 30th for the Cabernet Sauvignon. Flowering was spread out as also was the veraison.
Summer
A cool wet summer. Green work in the vineyard during the month of July was of considerable importance, to ensure the good sanitary condition of the grapes as well as to optimize their quality. More than 80 seasonal workers were mobilized at Pichon and Bernadotte to carry out the cutting off of the laterals and selected thinning-out of the leaves so as to obtain optimal maturity. Mid-Veraison as of August 10th. The second two weeks of August saw some heavy showers resulting in a total of nearly 100 mm. On the other hand, the month of September was very dry and sunny which enabled the grapes to ripen slowly and under good conditions.
Autumn
Picking started on October 1st Harvest ended on October 10th. The 2007 vintage was a source of considerable concern to vine growers from the end of April, and right up to the harvest, climatic conditions were chaotic. The sanitary state of the vine necessitated extreme vigilance and a large number of rapid interventions.
37 % Cabernet Sauvignon
55 % Merlot
5% Cabernet Franc
3% Petit Verdot
In-house Tasting Note - Thomas DÔ-CHI-NAM - March 2007
Bernadotte displays a purple colour with hints of violet. This wine gives out intense aromas of black currant, red currant and raspberry. Its feel in the mouth is mellow and its vigour gives it a balance that is as fresh as it is full and long. At the end of the tasting there is a persistence of black fruit and the sensation of a modern elegant wine.
WINE SPECTATOR - April 2008
85/88.
A bit hard, but good raspberry fruit and dark chocolate. Medium body. Medium finish.
WEINWISSER - René GABRIEL - May 2008
15/20. 2012-2020
DECANTER - Steven Spurrier – May 2008
16. Deep colour. Full and really good spicy, plumy fruit. Tannins still quite firm, but good Pauillac-style Médoc with more ripeness than many. 2012-2018
FALSTAFF - May 2008
86/88.