in the vineyard : The average of the maximum temperatures for the season - December, January, February, March was almost exactly equal to our long term average of 25 Centigrade, making 2010 essentially the same as 2009 and cooler than 2005 and 2003. Higher than average rainfall through winter and up to veraison, followed by lower than average rainfall until the end of harvest, contributed to easy, extremely healthy ripening. 2010 was a short, logistically challenging harvest (due to simultaneous ripening) with low yields, wonderfully high natural acidity and dense, complex, concentrated fruit flavours. Like 2009, another excellent vintage.