At the risk of repeating ourselves, we can make a very simple summary of the 2019/20 growing season. We enjoyed moderate rainfall, all of which came at the right time so as not to disrupt flowering. Combined with mild to warm temperatures through the summer we had just the sort of conditions the vines enjoy. It’s no surprise that Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Malbec were all picked at close to average sugar levels, albeit ever so slightly lower. All up, a very pleasing result.

The point about ripeness allows us to explore one of the quirks of the season and is highlighted in the spread of harvest dates. Autumn came upon us quite quickly and temperatures dropped off in March and so any variety that wasn’t ripe by the second week slowed right down. As you can see, we picked Merlot on 9th March but then had to wait. Malbec didn’t ripen until 31st March, Cabernet Franc on 5th April and Cabernet Sauvignon on the 8th. We experienced something similar in 2008 vintage.