The third year in a row with below-average rainfall, 2009 will go down as being a relatively even growing season, with very few heat surges during the summer months. september provided ideal ripening conditions with 12 days in the 90°s. harvest began september 2. nearly all lots were "in the barn" prior to a looming rainstorm (6 inches) that arrived on October 12. We gathered the final few blocks on October 18. Overall, a superlative vintage.