The growing season culminating in vintage 1996 was a mixture.  Initially, the weather was warm and dry, enabling the bud burst through to flowering section to be most satisfactory.  We had 90mm (about double average)  of rain in January and the same in February, with warm weather prevailing.  We had plenty of days at over 30°C, but not as many as normal over 35°C.  Harvest started on the 29th March and concluded on the 2nd May.  The wines of 1996 season are aromatic, soft and very appealing.  They are forward and accessible in style, reminiscent of the wines of 1990 which was a year for which we have always had great regard.

Read the full report here…