We started the season with a good water supply. Hot weather in April caused a very early bud break which meant a high danger of late frost. Fortunately, apart from the Muskat Ottonel, there was no significant late frost damage. However, the year still had a few challenges in store for us. In May and June, we had three hailstorms in the Gols area. This significantly reduced the grapes. In addition, the rain and the high humidity made plant protection extremely challenging. We had to struggle with mildew throughout the entire season.
Due to the excellent water supply and the warm temperatures in June and July, ripening progressed rapidly, and it became clear that we would have to expect a very early start to the harvest.
From mid-July to mid-August, it became very hot and also very dry, which pushed the young vines in particular to their limits.
We started harvesting the first grapes on 19 August. The hot weather only allowed us very short days in the vineyards. The yields of all white grape varieties were very low. In some cases, we only achieved just under half of the previous year’s yield, but the grapes had an impressive intensity of flavour. We had fewer losses with the red grape varieties and it was a pleasure to harvest the absolutely healthy grapes. Just before we started harvesting Blaufränkisch, there was a much-needed rain shower. The result of that were perfectly balanced Blaufränkisch grapes. For the finale, we bundled forces and managed to get almost all the Blaufränkisch into the cellar within two days before the heavy rainfall in September, which caused flooding in large parts of Austria, arrived. A small team cut off the very last grapes on a rainless day on 11 September.
2024 was characterized by extremes and showed us our limits. But the young wines from 2024 show an incredible amount of flavour and a very beautiful acid structure. The vintage will have a slightly higher alcohol content due to the warm weather and good water supply. However, the balance is fantastic.
*
Interested in finding out more about the wines of Judith Beck? Contact us directly:
shop@lescaves.co.uk | sales@lescaves.co.uk | 01483 538820