Even when everything seems perfect there is the potential for failure. Quick and even flowering occurred two weeks earlier than the norm, a dry summer followed a wet winter, which provided adequate ground moisture for the growing season. A mid-June hail storm destroyed the crops in Meursault and Puligny. The rest of the Cote was spared. There was just enough rain during the dry month of August to produce extremely ripe, brilliant healthy fruit. A beautiful vintage was robbed as the rain fell for nine days, until September 19th. The acidity levels dropped, there was a risk of mildew, and the ripe fruit quickly turned, botrytis was a serious risk, and most of the vignerons picked in the rain. In the Cote de Nuits some vignerons waited until the beginning of October to pick. Those who had smaller yields and were successful with anti-rot treatments fared the best. Obviously, many de-classified these rustic wines to village level or beyond.