Provence

For much of the season, 2020 looked destined for greatness in Provence, until the elements conspired against it in the final weeks.

Spring was steady if unremarkable, with the vines navigating the vulnerable flowering stage without major incident.

Summer turned up the intensity. With 17 days soaring above 35°C, the vines faced a stress test. Yet, thanks to sufficient water reserves, the canopy remained green, protecting the clusters from sunburn.

The finale was fraught with tension. A deluge of 85mm during the harvest period forced an expedited picking schedule to mitigate botrytis risks, rewarding those who sorted ruthlessly.

**Style:** Powerful but variable, with the best wines balancing the heat with careful selection.