Jancis Robinson has tweeted with news that Chateau Haut-Brion started their harvest on 1 September – very early! It’s been the driest summer since 1949 and 1985. Too dry is generally not good news. The grapes become very concentrated. I noticed that the grapes are not particularly visible under the leaves and here is the answer.

Chateau Haut-Brion have reported that the projected alcohol content is as high as 15.3% – very unusual. Unlikely to be a classic year but we can’t really complain after the run of superb wines in 2000, 2005 and 2009.

Here’s the link to the Chateau Haut-Brion site – very impressive.