The drought ended with the 2017 growing season beginning with rainfall that refilled reservoirs and replenished soils. Harvest began early at a normal pace in many regions and then progressed rapidly during a heat wave in late August and early September. Temperatures cooled mid-September, slowing the harvest pace and allowing for gradual ripening. While some yields were reduced from the heat spike, wine quality remains excellent. Primary fermentation over a period of 30 days with an additional 12 days of extended maceration. It was then pressed and placed in barrel where malolactic fermentation occurred naturally. Aging for 16 months in French oak, 50% of which was new.