We write to you in the aftermath of the harvest of 2018, from the safety of the cellars, where the wines are fermenting away in happy unison.
THE DREAM TEAM!
This harvest was blessed by two things: the big, bright harvest moon shining brilliantly overhead while we machine harvested our Pays d’Oc, surely a portent of good things; and the harvesters themselves, who were probably the single most cooperative part of Vintage 2018!
But it was cursed by the wettest spring on record, the hottest summer in memory, the worst outbreak of mildew in 70 years, unprecedented hail in July … and then the wild boar came to finish off the job. In short, a small and imperfectly formed vintage.
It has taken us 18 years to reach this low point.
THE REAL DEAL
But all is not lost! The grapes that survived were good and healthy. Our only complaint is that there were not very many of them. Would it have been better without the handcuffs of organic viticulture? Undoubtedly; but how much better, no one knows.
First tasting of the vintage, though, shows good potential, and we are happy.
Yes, we know we say that every year! But equally, it has generally proven to be true every year, n’est pas?
PRESS PASS
Or rather, here are some publications from the last 3 months that seem to think so (please click on the picture):
LANGUEDOC IN THE LIMELIGHT
And while on this note, we mention that if you’re in London next month, Jancis Robinson MW will be hosting her Languedoc Night on 18 November, a unique opportunity to discover the wines of this region with one of the world’s greatest authorities (and what an honour for our mauzac, Occitania to be included!). We highly recommend it, and besides, it’s for a good cause.
A FAMILY AFFAIR
In case you wondered about the dedication on the label of the 2017 chenin blanc, Dédicace… well, this time it’s a purely personal indulgence: for our daughter Xaxa and her husband Ian, who both worked the 2017 vintage with us, and then got married right at the very end of it.
And we’ll leave it at that for now, in the hope that the perfect weather which has so belatedly come our way is also illuminating your day!
With our best wishes,
The Panman family
October 5, 2018