Making wine is a wonderful experience, selling it is quite vital...
In these renewed difficult economic times, your support on buying our wines is highly appreciated.
And, great news, our Mistral red 09 has been awarded with 2 stars on the 2012 "Guide Hachette des Vins", this after a 90 points on the Wine Spectator and a Gold Medal in Päris Wine Fair.
Locate our wines (which even made it up to Australia) clicking just below and/or email me if you can't find a distributor near you
Thanks a lot for your support !
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Les vendanges 2011 sont terminées ! - harvest 2011 is over !
Dear Friends,
Well, believe it or not, we have crushed our fifth harvest. This one was quite special and ended after a long a unique farming season.
After a very warm spring where we thought we would harvest in August (and for that reason, we hardly did not take vacation), temperatures went back to early Spring ones in July, stopping the grapes in their maturation process. Eventually, early birds like Syrah which are usually in advance came to maturity a bit in advance and the latest maturity ones like Carignan and Grenache were picked a bit later than usual.
Collin (who is a wonderful chef) has found one of those precious white grapes (Roussanne) which come into our Mistral blend
This means 6 weeks of harvest mood and even if we did not pick every day, that constant pressure regarding weather, check on maturity has been a bit nerve racking.
During harvest, we also had to cope with a series of mechanical issues (flat tire, press engine dead and a couple of other unexpected events) and this has also participated to make this harvest quite a long one.
Flat tire on the very first day of harvest...
Weather has been hot and, for the first time, we have harvested by night and also, for the fun of watching a beautiful Rouge-Bleu sunrise above Mont Ventoux.
Finally, our best reward to all our efforts and even if those grapes have been harvested during the longest and hottest work day was when we have harvest the most beautiful (80 years old !) Grenache ever in 5 years and I can say now that there will be a Lunatique wine made in 2011. Here are, thanks to Deb, a couple pictures of that memorable afternoon (click to enlarge)
Actually, besides Lunatique, all our 2011 tanks look great at this point. And even if we worked hard, we still have fun times like this memorable "crush bikini danse"
So, let's say "Hi 5" for celebrating the end of this 2011 harvest, no doubt that we will clap with our own two hands before we even realise it....
Cheers,
Jean-Marc
Domaine Rouge-Bleu
Congratulations on yet another harvest! And good on you for getting another special Lunatique bottling. It takes a lot of heart and soul to produce wine on one's own. I have no doubt your patience will be rewarded with another wonderful vintage.
Now if only we could have picked at night two years ago ... :)
Posted by: Voie de Vie | October 14, 2011 at 09:22 PM
Perhaps next year!!! Looks like a blast and some gorgeous colored grapes! Cannot wait to taste the next RB!!! Love, RB
Posted by: Susan Boehnstedt | October 15, 2011 at 03:56 PM
Congratulations!
Here in the Columbia River Gorge the harvest is not quite full speed. The growers are hoping to beat the frost to their grapes. So far the weather is staying warm at night with just a bit of rain.
Posted by: Frank Levin | October 15, 2011 at 06:06 PM
Congratulations!!! Really enjoyed viewing all the action - bittersweet to say the least :) Was it 5 yrs ago now since I found you on the internet looking for a tour?
Can't wait to taste the new vintages! Hoping all has been well with everyone XOXOXO
P.S. yes, I agree, if only we could have had an evening 'pick' last year ... :)
Posted by: Zayra | October 17, 2011 at 10:32 PM
Congratulations from Oakland, I'm REALLY eager for the Lunatique! Good health to all of you.
Jim and Barabra, Oakland, CA
Posted by: jim Kachik | October 18, 2011 at 02:36 AM
Congratulations on completing the harvest in spite of setbacks, and for your outstanding wine awards!
I watched the wine videos, and also the one of Max jumping. Perhaps we can hear more about that sometime?
Posted by: Marianne Rankin | October 18, 2011 at 05:17 AM
Congratulations on successful harvest & recognition for your wines. Look forward to more Domaine R-B in 2012!
Posted by: Pat, Roanoke, Va | October 18, 2011 at 08:18 PM
Well done Jean Marc!! Congratulations on your 5th harvesting of very special grapes after a summer of unusual weather! We are excited to taste the future product!
Posted by: Natalie Shaby | October 18, 2011 at 09:29 PM
I've been thinking about you folks for many days now, wondering how the vendange went. Thank you for sending out your news!
I'm excited to taste the new millesime, and may I put in my order now for a case of Lunatique? Still guarding the one bottle I saved for myself, trying to decide who'll be the lucky one to share it with me. I had hoped to hang onto some of the 2009 Mistral, but I had a group of thirsty Australians staying for three weeks this summer. :-(
Hope you can escape for a vacation soon -- you all deserve it! Hugs all round! -- Cathy
Posted by: cj warley | October 19, 2011 at 11:20 AM
Congratulations on your 5th harvesting and on your fantastic ranking of your wines. You are a true craftsman of wine.
Posted by: Kathleen | October 20, 2011 at 10:20 PM