| The
anxieties of a cool late 2010 vintage was but a prelude
to what 2011 would bring. The coolest year on record since
our beginning heat unit charts in 1998. The year began late
and stayed cool throughout much of the season. I have heard
Mike comment that often vintages in our state begin not
at bud break but during the winter months. This vintage
began in late November of 2010 when a devastatingly cold
freeze hit part of the state. Our lowest (coldest) area
recorded a -5 degrees F that night. Normally we would not
have been concerned about such a temperature, however coming
so early in the year vines were still hardening off following
a late harvest 2010. Much of the winter was spent looking
at buds and assessing injury. We determined that some varietals
were harder hit and some areas as well. After making an
assessment during pruning we would leave additional buds
where needed. Thus began the season.
A cool wet spring lead to a late bud break once again. The
slow awakening of the plants I believe was helpful in the
healing process. A Barbara block which was our most damaged
with winter injury, one which we had all but written off
for the year, suddenly looked like it had an abundance of
clusters. Somewhat to our disbelief, fruit set came and
went and sure enough it was loaded. We were now faced with
the good problem of fruit thinning. Everything was abundantly
fruitful! Looking back we wouldn’t have left so many
buds because we were now trying to bring the crop load back
into target levels. It was during the spring that we were
saddened by the loss of “Clean-up” our faithful
canine friend of many years that once got his name by cleaning
up a barbeque party when backs were turned.
Our high desert climate during a typical summer will routinely
reach temperatures of 85 -100 degrees routinely while remaining
quite dry which is a growers dream in regard to mildew pressure.
This year was anything but typical. Things never seemed
to warm-up or dry out. It was a scramble especially mid-season
to keep on top of everything. Eventually it all worked out
but as I heard a winemaker describe,” it was a white
knuckle ride of a season”. During late summer we were
broadsided with the news of the death of Glen Coogan (president
of Columbia Winery). We were very shocked and saddened by
the loss of a friend, much too young and active. He is missed.
This year we removed a one acre 1977 Lemberger block to
plant some new clones of Cabernet Sauvignon. One day I believe
this will be an incredible block but like everything in
this industry it’s going to take awhile. Over the
years, we have felt extremely honored by the fact that wineries
have been so kind to vineyard designate us on their labels.
This year we witnessed a barrage of new vineyard designates
hit the market with either Red Willow or Les Vignes de Marcoux
. Wines such as Andrew Rich’s RW Syrah coming from
the 86 block. Effeste’s Eleni, also from the original
block. Eight Bells RW Syrah, Fall Line’s Bordeaux
blend, and Mark Ryan’s (Lost Soul) Syrah. Delille,
made an amazing Merlot from our 85 block and JVC cellars
is now out with a Marcoux Syrah. Hope that I didn’t
miss anyone.
I’ve heard it said that some of the greatest wines
are made at the absolute fringes of being able to ripen
the fruit. For us this was such a year, a test of grower
and winemaker skills and patience. It was the longest hang-time
we have ever seen. Though we will have to wait a bit longer
to truly know the outcome, I believe that some great wines
will have been made. Wines of terroir that encompass not
only that place of uniqueness but the distinction of season
as well. But for now we will enjoy past vintages and look
for 2010 releases just around the corner. Cheers!
|
|
