SOIL STYLE

The soils on which the vineyards stand has varied and complex terrain features with a strong presence of limestone, feature areas rich in marl and pebbles as well as being partly clayey. The production facilities are located at an average altitude of between 80 and 400 metres above sea level, with a west/south-west exposure.

WEATHER TRENDS

The weather in 1988 was characterised by generally high temperatures and sunny days throughout the season, until the final stage of grape ripening. During the month of August, there were a number of peaks in the temperature, which rose above the seasonal average.

HARVESTING

The ripening of the grapes was perfect, the vegetation was lush and the grapes yielded a good sugar content and a considerable amount of noble tannins with a rounded and easily polymerised character together with a wealth of extracts, which precisely highlight the value of the wine's structure and flavour profile.
The substances forming the aromas were just as evident and complex, right from the start of fermentation.
The harvest was carried out entirely by hand and the grapes were collected in wooden crates with a maximum capacity of 15 kg. The Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc were harvested from 20 September onwards.

FERMENTATION

The grapes from the '88 harvest, in addition to being very healthy, had a very thick skin, rich in polyphenols and glucosidic substances, which gave the must its character of colour and flavour a completely individual character.

AGEING

The wine stayed in barrels for approximately 22 months and then went into bottles for the required glass ageing.