The first pass took place from the 16th to the 20th of September. The second involved picking berry by berry while waiting for the late-maturing fruit to ripen. Rain arrived on 9th October and lasted 10 days. Rot attacked the latest-ripening grapes, and a third pass took place from the 19th to the 20th. The last pass, at the end of the month, came to an end on 1st November under radiant sunshine. Grapes picked in September displayed astonishing freshness. They were also pure, elegant, and very aromatic. Those harvested during the last ten days of October contributed richness and complexity. The wine is very similar in style to 1998. Finding the right blend called for patience, but the result is particularly tasty.