1964

1964 as the war in Vietnam and US Congress Authorizes war against N Vietnam more American servicemen were dying, and after three civil rights workers were murdered in Mississippi the president signed the Civil Rights act of 1964 but this did not stop the violence as it continued to increase in many American Cities. Lyndon Johnson was also returned to power after a landslide victory. This was also the year The Beatles took the world and America by storm and Beatlemania went into overdrive as they released a series of number one hits including "I want to hold your hand" , "All my Loving" . Other British groups also found success including The Rolling Stones and The Animals and together with the American Talent of The Supremes and Bob Dylan many say this was one of the greatest years for music in the last century. Also one young loud talented boxer by the name of Cassius Clay won the Boxing World heavyweight championship from Sonny Liston.

Pour beaucoup, le millésime 1964 évoque des images d’une année vraiment unique. C’était cela en Bourgogne, mais pas à Bordeaux, même si le ministre français de l’Agriculture a déclaré que c’était le millésime du siècle à Bordeaux. Il a fait sa déclaration avant que les pluies d’automne ne commencent à tomber. Le millésime a été, en tout cas, très bon, rappelant assez celui de 1962, dont les grandes récoltes produisaient d’excellents vins.

L’hiver doux et humide a été suivi d’un printemps chaud. Les conditions idéales pendant la période de germination sont restées sèches et chaudes tout au long de l’été. Les raisins ont mûri magnifiquement jusqu’au 8 octobre, date à laquelle trois semaines de pluies extrêmement fortes ont pénétré dans Bordeaux, causant les plus grands dégâts dans le Médoc, principalement à Pauillac et Saint-Estèphe. Certains producteurs de la région avaient réussi à ramener toute leur récolte avant les pluies. L’un de ces chanceux était Château Latour. L’un des moins chanceux fut le Château Lynch-Bages, qui finit par récolter le 24 octobre. Ce millésime privilégie cependant les vins de Merlot de la rive droite, qui mûrissent bien avant les pluies. Il y a très peu de vins buvables à l’heure actuelle. Une fois de plus, le Cheval Blanc et le Pétrus s’élèvent au-dessus de l’autre, également en prix. Un développement intéressant en 1964 a été l’acquisition par Mouiex des actions de Pétrus.

Bordeaux 1964 by Château Latour / Bud break takes place on April 5 but the development of the vines is slow until the end of the month. After an acceleration of the vegetative cycle in May, the first flower appeared on the 29th. June was hot and stormy with heavy showers. Hot and dry weather in July and August. Conditions seemed likely to produce a bountiful harvest. Variable weather in September, which fortunately did not prevent the grapes from ripening. The harvest began on September 25 and continued in good weather until October 8. It rained almost continuously from October 7 to 17. The quality of the wines this year was therefore largely dependent on the date of the harvest, and the Latour terroir, with its tendency to produce early maturation, was able to show its full potential.

Rhône vintage report by Jaboulet: The total harvest of Côtes du Rhône wines is 918,471 Hl. In the northernmost part, the harvest began on September 16 and ended on October 4. A long, cold winter, a poor spring. Hot days come in June, a very good summer. A good year for red wines, supple, low acid, which will keep well, in good quantities.
For the whites, Maison Jaboulet is attempting fermentation at low temperature on a clean must for the first time. The results are excellent; The method will be continued in the future.

Italy vintage report by Angelo Gaja: A great harvest, one of the greatest. The fall conditions were perfect. Winegrowers could leave the grapes on the vine to ripen and the harvest continued until mid-November. A long harvest and an abundant harvest in terms of quality. It wasn't like 1961, but the quality of 1964 was pretty good.