2007 began with a very mild Winter, with less rainfall than usual. As a result bud break occurred about 10 days early.Spring was mild too, with rains coming just when they were required, which allowed excellent vegetative growth and ledthe vines to flower early. June rains, which occurred throughout Tuscany, accompanied the development of the grapes.Summer finally started with a July, which was hot and dry, followed by an August which was cooler, with classicmid-month thunderstorms that slowed the ripening of the grapes, bringing the projected harvest date in line with theaverage. A perfect September with brilliant sun, mild temperatures, and little rain permitted a perfectly slow, steadyripening of the grapes, concentrating polyphenols and aromatic compounds, without leading to any over-ripeness.