Just received notification regarding my annual Monte Bello futures allocation and was looking for some insight on the vintage (2009). I assume no one, maybe a few have, tasted any of the components. I am more interested in the weather conditions during the growing season. Were the grapes picked before the rains? Any information that could influence my purchasing level, either positively or negatively, would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you in advance.
Adam
The rain wasn’t significant here and I’m sure they didn’t stupidly pick early. Definitely not a bad year weather-wise.
Some of us will be posting notes after tasting March 6-7.
+1. i can buy more so if anyone wants some in futures PM me. you get the wine spring 2012.
Ridge’s vintage report is here: http://blog.ridgewine.com/2010/01/29/2009-harvest-report/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; - it’s a fun read.
Of the people I’ve spoken to most are very happy with 2009. The only cautionary notes have come from people with later ripening grapes in cooler areas; I don’t believe Woodside’s Cabernet or Rhys’s Syrah came in before the rains.
I wish Ridge didn’t insist on billing you before the tasting. You can always change your order or cancel, but it just feels like a rather aggressive practice. Also you MUST order if you want to attend the tastings in March and May.
Dave,
We were able to pick our Skyline Syrah in September but Horseshoe Syrah was caught by the rain (everything else was picked). After the rain, we eliminated half of the crop immediately, another large percent at the sorting table and we recently divided it into two cuvees. There is a chance that the remaining portion is good, but that rain really wreaked havoc.
I’m pretty happy with my Cabs from 09. They are plusher and lower acidity than 07 or 08 but more aromatic and fruit forward. I may have to adjust acidity on one lot from Harvest Moon, but everything else should be ok. If they continue on the path they are on now, I’ll probably recommend them for earlier drinking and encourage people to hold their 07’s and 08’s. Maybe a little like 2005 in style without the big production.
I have a feeling we’re going to get dragged along with Napa in 2009 though. I think, haven’t really heard this yet, just guessing, that 2009 will get a bad rap in Napa due to the timing of the rain there. For us it was nothing, but like 1989 and 2000 we tend to get tagged with ‘rain’, even when it didn’t effect us.
I’m sure I’ll be buying my allocation of Monte Bello.