After a cold midwinter, a cool and rainy spring, the arrival of summer was marked by very hot conditions until late July. This thankfully early episode was nothing but beneficial! The dry period intensified, causing water stress which had a particular qualitative impact on our limestone-clay terroirs. At this stage, the progress of the climate - similar to 2005 and 2010 with small and potentially concentrated grapes - led us to believe that a great vintage could be on its way. Dampness returned to the soil during August (a rare phenomenon!). The return of dry conditions in the weeks before the harvest was heartily welcomed, as they helped to refine the tannins and ripen particularly rich grapes. The magic of '5' vintages seems to have been at work!