2018 was a mild and dry winter followed by a cool spring with bud break delayed by 10 days compared to average. However, a warm May through August brought us back to normal ripening development. The bloom period was warm and dry that saw ninety-plus days without precipitation during the middle of the summer, and there was a prolonged harvest period from very beneficial weather conditions in October. Vineyard yields in these conditions were substantial and the 2018 harvest season was nearly perfect allowing for a wide range of wine styles. The physiological conditions of the grapes were right in line with their chemistries, creating textbook fermentations in the cellar. The whites were picked early and retained well balanced acids, while some blocks of Pinot noir were allowed to hang longer and developed a more robust tannic presence. Due to these ideal conditions the Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot from the Rouge Valley were not harvested until nearly November, this additional hang time lent cassis and spiced plum flavors to the Hawk Attack.