The growing season was dry, cool and moderately long. Showing great structure, the wines are generous and intense. In 1986, still another early bud break led to an even longer growing season than the previous year. Softer, more delicate fruit flavors resulted, with excellent levels of sugar and acid. Wines are harmonious, exquisite, and very long-lived.
Wines are rich, supple and very aromatic.
The absence of late winter rains produced warm soils and an early bud break. Although Oakville saw cool mornings as well as warm afternoons, the growing season was the shortest on record. Ideal temperatures at harvest yielded clean, well-balanced fruit and sturdy wines with good aging potential. 1983 Rains in August were followed by dry, windy weather in September, which protected Napa Valley's red varieties from exposure to rot. 1982 A wet winter and a warm spring produced perfect bloom and berry set and a record crop.