The 2008–2009 season will be remembered for its high heat summation and ultimately for delivering wines with very good balance and structure due to the work in the vineyard in accordance with the year’s weather conditions to achieve well-balanced yields. The season began with a frost-free spring and early bud break. The average temperatures and monthly heat summation from October through December resulted in relatively normal dates for flowering and a slight delay in veraison with respect to the historic dates. Average temperatures were higher than usual in January, which resulted in healthy and relatively early ripening, but it also required us to pay particular attention to the water balance to ensure the foliage remained active in order to reach proper balance between sugar accumulation and phenolic maturation. The red wines of this vintage are very elegant and juicy with good concentration. Assemblage 54% Cabernet Sauvignon 21% Carmenere 16% Merlot 6% Petit Verdot 3% Cabernet Franc