This past week our oenologist, Jean-Philippe Fort came. Placed before him were the samples of our 2007 vintage. All of the small bottles represented the entire barrel cellar, the harvest of 2007, on one table. Noted on each sample, was the specific parcel of land it came from and the type of barrel it is being aged in. Although the wine has only been in the barrels for three months the unique qualities of each barrel is evident. Jean-Philippe Fort is clearly pleased with the development of this vintage.
The golden eagles over head during the day and the evening serenade of the small owl give my day a steady rhythm. We found this young owl last July and fed it raw rabbit meat until it became independent. Its common name is Little Owl, (Athene noctua, Chevêche d'Athéna, Chouette chevêche). He is now an adult. It is not rare to see him in the daytime, posed well at the top of a post. He sings out at dawn and twilight. I very much enjoy the presence of these birds of prey.
In the fields the stages of growth of the vines varies between the buds just showing green and the first leaves showing (pointe verte / sortie des feuilles). As the March winds continue, I can feel that a beautiful spring is approaching.
