2017 ‘Mother’s Ruin’ Cabernet Sauvignon

VINTAGE 2017: In stark contrast to the previous year, the growing season started in the middle of a wet year. Annual rainfall was 150% of the long term average, with winter rainfall at 143% and spring rainfall at 198%. The resulting wet soils, combined with a cooler than average spring and early summer meant the vines grew slowly but healthily, and flowering/set was good. With few heat spikes in January and some timely rain events in February, March heralded the beginning of an Indian summer that lasted through to late April. All these conditions lead to slow, but perfect ripening and a vintage reminiscent of 2002. 2017 may be a prime vintage in both senses of the word!