Médoc 2010 – dangerously promising?

Christophe Coupez of the Chambre d'Agriculture's official oenology bureau in Pauillac has issued his first set of advice on the 2010 harvest in the Médoc, which he describes as 'surprising'. The difficult flowering period is looking likely to lead to a late and very varied harvest but one with considerable potential.

Coulure and millerandage have blighted the crop, especially for Merlot and older vine plots. The crop load, that initially looked rather generous, has been dramatically reduced.

Véraison was late, a whole week later than in 2009, and there is considerable variation in ripeness even within the same bunch. Harvest...