MaestroThis was a very balanced and even growing season without extremes.  Mild spring weather resulted in early bud burst.  There was good accumulation of summer heat and a long, dry autumn.  As we did not harvest the fruit until May it had plenty of time to become physiologically ripe with a good balance of sugars, acid and tannins. 

Heavy nor’west wind was frequent over the period of flowering of the grapes which impaired their pollination and lead to a small crop of grapes setting on the vines. The rest of the season, however, was excellent with good heat accumulation over the summer and autumn. The fruit was thus beautifully ripe and in optimal condition when harvested.

Cool weather during flowering reduced the set on the vines, which resulted in a smallish crop.  The rest of the season, however, was excellent with a long, warm autumn.  The grapes were thus picked in optimal condition and the reduced crop ensured excellent concentration in the wine...

A mild spring was followed by a warm, but not overly hot summer. The dominant force in the season, however, was the amazing Indian summer. From March onwards, temperatures were well above average and, because of the long, lingering, dry autumn the grapes were harvested fully ripe and in optimumcondition.

The summers of 1998 and 1995 were the two warmest of the decade. Mid summer heat is important for the development of ripe tannins and flavours, both of which are in abundance in this wine.

A mild winter and an early spring in 1995 resulted in the vines coming into leaf early. Good weather continued over flowering ensuring a generous but not excessive crop. The summer was hot and the autumn long, dry and warm.