1988 was marked by certain contrasts: winter and spring very humid and hot, summer dry and moderately hot.
Bud burst observed a week in advance. Rapid and regular flowering. Maturation evolved normally (July averagely warm and humid; August dry, a little hot).
Heavy winter and spring rain (from November to end of June), followed by severe drought from mid July. August and September marked by little rain, yet no water stress. Temperatures close to normal. A few days before harvest, the sugar content and acidity resembled those of the recent good vintages.
The skins were very thick, and exceptionally rich in colouring matter and tannins.

AOC SAINT-JULIEN
Second cru classé en 1855
AREA UNDER VINES : 82 h
SOIL : Garonne gravel from the first quaternary, settled more than 600 000 years ago