Poor weather conditions almost resulted in there being no 2008 vintage of Domaine de la Romanee Conti.

According to the Burgundy estate's proprietor Aubert de Villaine, the hot, humid summer of 2008 prompted mildew and botrytis, while the crucial second week of September was filled with rain.

Speaking to Inside Scoop San Francisco, Mr de Villaine said the harvest was saved by the "sacred" north wind on September 14th, which dried the clusters and eradicated the botrytis.

"The result is distinctly powerful wines that avoid the round, fleshy realms of the 2005s or the ethereal but light ways of the 2007s, which showed their charms in a very subtle way," the publication notes.

However, wine enthusiasts may face a battle to get hold of some of the Burgundy vineyard's 2008s.

Mr de Villaine told the Drinks Business last week that they have produced just 263 cases of the 2008 vintage, 40 per cent less than they would expect to make in an average year.