The wines are showing strong varietal character with excellent structure and balance. Pinot Noir and Merlot in particular are already demonstrating great intensity and length, all the hallmarks of an excellent Vintage.

The season started with a colder than usual winter which really helped the vines get their dormancy, a point which I think is overlooked somewhat by viticulturalists. Late winter rains filled the subsoil with moisture giving the vines a healthy stress free start to the season. Together with slightly warmer than usual temperatures during September and October the vines took off with strong even growth.

This fine weather continued through flowering and set. Summer only really got going mid February resulting in good sized healthy canopies requiring minimal irrigation. Autumn was cool and dry with little disease pressure. All grapes were picked in excellent condition with yields about average.

The annual rainfall in our vineyard was about 30 inches.