A very difficult year for growers with both frost and hail occurring during the growing season. The first half of September was very wet and many growers feared the outbreak of rot in their vineyards. Their fears proved unfounded and there followed a period of gloriously sunny and dry weather at the end of the month, which enabled the sugar to reach acceptable levels, and importantly, for the tannins (contained in the skins) to achieve physiological ripeness.

Given the challenging weather, it is remarkable how consistent and well-balanced the wines have turned out to be. The wines are surprisingly concentrated and possess good levels of pure and succulent ripe fruit with plenty of scope for development in the medium term.