Chateau co-owner Jean-Pierre Meslier explained that the harvest was too small, describing it as ‘fine and elegant’, but not as ‘concentrated as normal.’

The estate harvested with about 114 grams of residual sugar instead of the chateau’s habitual 130 to 140, he said.

‘When rain fell later in the month, botrytis spread, but more rain than needed in October compromised pickings.’

The best grapes will make ‘an excellent’ second wine: ‘Les Jeunes Pousses de Raymond-Lafon,’ Meslier added.

The last vintage that Chateau Raymond Lafon did not produce any wine was 1974.