CHATEAU BOYD-CANTENAC 1988

Winter and spring were wet and mild, to such an extent that 30 years earlier, fungi like downy mildew and grey rot would have destroyed the crop.

During bloom, climatic conditions were again difficult : there was some flower shatter (poor flower pollination leading to fewer grapes and often irregular ripening within each cluster). June and the beginning of July were very rainy, but starting in mid-July warm and dry weather arrived and stayed with us until the end of September.

Véraison was spread out. Luckily, autumn was ideal, favouring good ripening of the grapes. It was possible to harvest slowly over a long period because the weather remained perfect, thus the grapes were nicely ripened.

Young, the wines were very well-structured, with firm tannins and good acidity, which assures them a long future. They are now mature and near their apogee : their tannins have softened and they have developed a very beautiful bouquet. Overall, they are in the traditional style of the great wines of Margaux.