Winegrowers will remember 2013 as a particularly arduous year because of the considerable work it required, from the beginning of the growing season through to the harvest. A very mild winter led to early vine growth and a warm spring accelerated the phenology of the vine. The budbreak and the flowering were far in advance of average (15 days earlier compared with 2012). Rainfall from May to the end of June required removal of secondary shoots and bunch thinning to maintain good aeration in the clusters. A cooler summer with fresh night-time temperatures and less extreme daytime heat extended the maturation period. The dates of peak maturity varied widely between parcels, requiring a long and meticulous harvest, not unlike a custom tailor tending to hundreds of finicky customers. In sum, excellent phenolic levels were achieved, mainly due to the long and regular maturation stage that took place in ideal conditions thanks to the cool nights and the warm but not suffocating daytime temperatures.