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Chateau Yquem - Francis Mayeur
 The 2002 harvest at
Chateau Yquem
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Sauternes
- Barsac
Chateau Yquem October 1st 2002
At Chateau
Yquem, we had another very dry month, with only 26 mm of rain in September compared to the normal
72 mm, further worsening the 2002 water deficit.
As there has not been a drop of rain, at
Chateau
Yquem, since the 8th, the
botrytis slowed down and finally stopped spreading. The first wave of grapes was picked between the 12th and the 16th and we started a second wave in spite of the dry weather, as the easterly winds and high temperatures (30 °C) had produced a very high
sugar content. The botrytized grapes were picked together with a few golden-ripe fruit, producing
must that has all the
richness of Yquem (20 - 21° potential
alcohol).
The grapes harvested on September 19th, 20th, 26th, 27th, 30th and October 1st gave particularly aromatic,
fruity must, due to the non-botrytized fruit.
While we are pleased that the thunder storms which hit vineyards 10 km to the west and 20 km to the east on September 20th missed
Chateau
Yquem, it is a pity the rain also passed us by.
As of today, October 1st, at least ¾ of the
harvest is still on the vines, perfectly
ripe and golden, just waiting for a passing shower to reactivate the
botrytis.
At Chateau
Yquem we still have high hopes!
Francis Mayeur, Chateau d'Yquem
http://www.yquem.fr/
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