The sun rose this morning through a veil of smoke, which helped mitigate the damage from the morning sun

However, the biting cold took its toll on many buds that could not withstand temperatures dropping as low as -5°C on some parcels. We had focused on protecting the most advanced parcels. We managed to save a portion of our old-vine Merlot, but the Franc, Sauvignon, and Malbec fared less well. As for the Cabernet Sauvignon, budburst was only partial. We hope the buds still at the wool stage were spared. This frost has come very early, so we now hope the secondary buds will break well and prove fruitful. If we survive the coming night, if it doesn't freeze again next week or at the end of the month, and if hail and disease spare us this year, my optimistic side still hopes for half a harvest—though we still have some way to go to get there.