Bordeaux 2017: What is the impact of the spring frost?
The 2017 Bordeaux En Primeur campaign is fast approaching, and it's time to take stock of the volume that will be put on sale by the Châteaux. Let's take a look at the Bordeaux appellations together to analyze the situation and assess the consequences of the spring frost of 2017.
Quantities are decreasing
The weather during the 2017 vintage was capricious. Following a relatively mild winter and spring, Bordeaux suffered its worst frost since 1991 at the end of April. In fact, there were two successive frosts: the first on April 20th, followed by three consecutive nights starting on April 27th. Significant losses were already reported, but at the end of August, a devastating hailstorm struck the Graves and Cadillac region.
It is important to remember that some appellations or sectors were completely unaffected by these disastrous events. Indeed, some appellations have very high yields, even exceeding those of 2016.
What volumes for 2017?
The harvest report indicates an overall decrease of 40% compared to 2016 across the Bordeaux region, representing 300 million fewer bottles on the market! It's worth noting, however, that 2016 benefited from a bountiful harvest. If we compare these figures to the average of the last 10 years, the decrease is 33%.
Unfortunately, the decline primarily affects the smaller châteaux: they are the hardest hit. Conversely, the grand châteaux, the Premier Grands Crus Classés, known for their exceptional terroirs, have not been impacted. 80% of the 150 largest Bordeaux châteaux had a very successful 2017 harvest!
The names Pauillac, Saint-Estèphe And Saint-Julien have even benefited from a harvest that is the same as or greater than in 2016!
The Right Bank of Bordeaux has suffered greatly, and production figures for Saint-Emilion And Pomerol are frightening. Once again, the most prestigious castles, located at a slight altitude on the hillsides, have avoided the worst.
2017 Yield (hectoliters per hectare) by appellation
| 2016 | 2017 | Evolution | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saint-Estèphe | 50,5 | 49,7 | -2% |
| Pauillac | 44,9 | 46,2 | 3% |
| Saint-Julien | 46,0 | 44,3 | -4% |
| Margaux | 49,4 | 32,3 | -35% |
| Pessac Léognan | 45,4 | 30,6 | -33% |
| Saint-Emilion GC | 46,2 | 21,7 | -53% |
| Pomerol | 44,4 | 23,9 | -46% |
Source: @GavinQuinney, Customs/CIVB, Liv-ex Insights
A significant disparity
Even within a single appellation, there is a significant disparity. MargauxVines planted below 17 meters in altitude were systematically affected. The more prestigious terroirs of Palmer, Margaux, Rauzan-Ségla And Brane-Cantenac were practically unaffected. Saint-Julien, The best terroirs yielded an exceptional harvest (Léoville Poyferré, Beychevelle); however, the sector of Lagrange, near the Haut-Médoc region, the vineyards were decimated by an average of 50%, and more specifically by 70%. Les Fiefs de Lagrange. The same is true in Saint-Emilion, where the major terroirs were only slightly affected, except for... Figeac However, the hillside and plains areas suffered considerably. Pessac-LéognanThe frost will have affected the terroirs according to altitude and distance: Fieuzal, Carbonnieux and Olivier suffered while Pape-Clément, Haut-Bailly and Smith were less impacted.
In light of these figures, it is clear that some châteaux will be more difficult to obtain for the 2017 vintage. Some châteaux have already announced that they will not be producing any great wine in 2017, such as... Château Climens, which harvested 2 hl/ha, or even the Château Fieuzal in Pessac-Léognan. Others have opted for reduced production, like La Fleur Cardinale in Saint-Emilion which will only release magnums (1000 magnums only)!
The unknown factor for now is pricing. Will the châteaux maintain, increase, or lower their selling prices for this vintage? We'll find out in a few weeks.