An unseasonably warm winter and unseasonably cool spring - both exceptionally wet - were followed by one of the hottest summers on record. At the end of August 40% more accumulated rainfall than the 30-year average was recorded in the Douro and these water reserves attenuated the effects of the very hot and dry summer. Timely raind come to the rescue during two days in late August, refreshing the vines straining from the heat and putting maturations back on track. Phenolic ripeness was reached with relatively low Baumés, proving excellent for balanced, elegant wines. Two days of opportune rainfall in mid-September were followed by dry, sunny weather for the remainder of the vintage and the grapes were picked in very fine condition.