Vintage was in mid-season as far as timing went, starting in late March and finishing on the 3rd May. We had only 30mm of rain in April and providentially were missed by the deluges that hit Taranaki and Wanganui. The relative merits of 1989 and 1990 compare to those of 1983 and 1982; 1989 and 1983, being years of drought giving intense, big weighted and slow developing wines; 1990 and 1992 giving more fruitiness and suppleness, slightly lower alcohols and mid to long term ageing capabilities.