The first in an amazing four years for Italian wine. In Piedmont the crop was reduced by rain at flowering time and by hail in August. However, the summer was long and hot and resulted in a very late harvest at the end of October. Concentrated, well-structured wines were produced with the Barolos and Barbarescos now being rated extremely highly. The best wines will continue to drink well for another 10-15 years. The weather patterns (minus the August hail) were similar in Tuscany and the Indian summer resulted in physiologically ripe grapes that were harvested in a perfect condition. The subsequent wines are fruit driven with marvellous balance and structure.