The season was very healthy and dry, but with several weather events that generated damage that will be evident even in 2021. We started with Zonda wind at the end of September that created some “bad fruit set” and “millerandage”. In October, we had 3 light rains, and later, in November we had wind again. But the biggest damages came on December 2nd, with a 30 minutes hailstorm and getting worst later, with a bigger one at the end of February.
After all these storms and winds, the yields reduction was fully visible (40% average), causing some uncertainty about quality, but the warmest March in the last 50 years, speeded up all the ripeness process surprisingly increasing the phenol concentration, not affecting the acidity.
Despite the logistic problems that changed our regular harvest program, we started accomplishing some beautiful results first with Whites and Pinot Noir, and later, with Merlot and Tempranillos. Therefore, we decided to start picking the Cabs earlier than most of the Malbecs (same as in 2016), getting great results, avoiding high sugar concentration. All fermentations occurred spontaneously, not needing any help or inoculation, and letting all wines dry, before the malolactic fermentations started. Also, the warm conditions helped promote all this ideal conditions inside the winery.
Finally, all the COVID situation will be forgotten, just as a bad dream, as soon as the new 2020 wines start shining, showing exceptional quality, freshness and expressive fruit character, or even, who knows, confirming a good aging potential. After all, we feel happy and grateful proving once again, that strong minded people from the wine industry could surpass any crisis, because Wine is sacred and necessary for human happiness and progress.
KMS & The Crew
