Château D'Yquem

The year got off to a good start thanks to unbroken fine weather (warm and dry) throughout the growing season. The harvest began very early, on the 9th of September, but botrytis was largely at a standstill due to lack of water. Grapes representing not even 15 barrels of wine were picked in 3 weeks (but weighed in at over 30° potential alcohols). Picking began again in October, but the rest of the crop was irretrievably ruined by 8 days of rain. This year's capricious weather deprived Sauternes of the superb reputation enjoyed by the red wines of Bordeaux in this vintage.