Description
April 2020 saw low rainfall and no severe frosts, allowing water reserves to recover post-harvest, as confirmed by an early spring bud break. Winter snowfall in the high mountains exceeded previous years, providing more meltwater—positive news amid climate change. A warm, dry spring led to early growth, but mid-November brought a shift. Summer (January–March) was cool, with 20% more rainfall than average in the first two months. Cloud cover and rain slowed the ripening of red grapes through April. Harvests began one to three weeks later than usual, yielding healthy grapes with excellent quality—showing good concentration, ripened skins, moderate sugar, and ideal acidity. The resulting wines feature precise fruit expression, with concentration prevailing over roundness on the palate. —Michel Rolland, Winemaker