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An uneven year, with the weather throughout the growing season being erratic and unpredictable, which nevertheless yielded some rich and very balanced wines esp. in Napa Valley and Sonoma County
1993 marked the end of a six-year drought cycle, with rainfall well above normal throughout most of California's wine regions. The heavy rainfall resulted in a slightly larger than-average-crop as well as uneven ripening patterns. Many growers were faced with the problem of grapes ripening at different stages over an extended period of time. As Charles Thomas, winemaker at Robert Mondavi. said, The tempo of the harvest was dictated by the alternating warm-cool-hot-cool weather patterns.
Some attractive Chardonnays were produced but they should all have been consumed by now. Supple, early drinking Pinot Noir and Merlot wines were also produced.
The Cabernets were variable and it is important to stick with the best producers who were able to stagger their harvesting and make sure that only the healthiest and ripest fruit was used in their final blends. They lack the intensity and concentration of the 94s and 90s but the best examples are elegant and well balanced and are now fully mature.