A good to very good year, despite rain falling during the harvest in late September and throughout most of October. Spring was warm and was followed by a hot May and then a rain-affected June. July and August witnessed predominantly dry weather, which continued through to the 3rd week of September. By this stage, sugar levels were high and growers were optimistic about the prospects of a great vintage. The heavens then opened and the harvest was one of the longest in living memory, stretching through to the very end of November.

This was a vintage which required very careful selection at harvest time, as well as meticulous handling of the grapes once they were in the cuverie. The best producers have produced surprisingly attractive and well-balanced wines that are stylish and racy and will probably make for delicious early drinking.