2023 Is Looking Like a MONUMENTAL Vintage for Napa

WINE TALK
21

It is really fascinating that i have talked to winemakers in several regions and three countries and everyone has said yields are up.

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22

Do you really think good Napa cabs in vintages like 2006-2007 won’t make 25 years old, and 2012s won’t make 20 years? I’m a Bordeaux head so don’t have the best sense of modern Napa aging curves. I’m still enjoying my 1992 Togni.

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23

Dang! Calling GOAT or Legend status before the fermentations are dry or the fruit is all in— no pressure on the wine makers :joy::joy::joy:

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24

I was also curious about this. I still haven’t gotten an answer as to why Bordeaux can make an ocean of wine that will age effortlessly for 20-30 years but Napa wines are best within 10.

My feeling is there is a preference for opulent primary fruit with better integration, rather than aiming for secondary development.

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25

Better than 1994?

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26

What are your favorite 2013 Napas?

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27

I still have a few 2013 Piper Cabs… :blush:

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28

I find this very interesting as we all have different palates and preferences. Although I do hope it’s a great vintage.

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29

as do i!

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30

Me too. Probably about time I open one!

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31

Now I need to go an stock up on 2013!

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32

Spoke with Leah at Myriad earlier today and she echoed Roy’s thoughts on 2023. Her exact words were it’s looking “f***ing awesome”. She said Mike is super excited and after they thought 2021 was a near perfect vintage 2023 is looking like it could be even better. Might have to take it down a notch with the 2022s in anticipation.

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33

Was out in Napa late Sept. Bruce @ VHR was saying 2023 was going to be an excellent year. A few other producers were saying it was going to be excellent provided they didn’t get rain that next week. I think it held off (first week of Oct.) Going to be a very expensive year as this is my first born’s birth year.

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34

Same. Hoping some other regions with better value propositions have great years, too…

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35

Nice compilation Roy. Seems way too early to tell on the 21s though…I haven’t even popped one…the 21’s were really hyped (scores and wineries) as a combo of 18-19.

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36

Not necessarily the case down here in SBC. In some cases they are but in others, due to a number of factors including shatter and powdery mildew, they are way down . . .

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37

Yes, I’ve heard the same. Some cold sites are problematic

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38

Sorry to hear that. I hope it is now too bad.

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39

It’s been variable for us with no pattern for yields. Our Oak Knoll merlot will be very heavy, while our Stagecoach Cab came in a bit light. Our sauv blanc from Rutherford was light, while our malbec from Rutherford was heavy. Our Atlas Peak syrah yields were down significantly (nearly 50%) mainly due to shatter. Our Coombsville cab and cab franc should be average.

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40

Roy is spot on with the excitement of the 23 vintage. Everyone around the valley is giddy… RE: tonnage - Hearing 20-30% increase depending on location.

Most of the sweet spots in the valley have all come in during the last 2 weeks. We had rains that were forecasted at a tenth of an inch last Sunday but that was not accurate as it poured for periods and my weather station (Saint Helena) registered .93 so for the people that weren’t all in yet, that wasn’t a good thing.

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