It is now the sort of middle of September. In a lot of areas, harvest is ongoing or soon to start. What does the vintage look like in various regions?
Drought in Cali…
Big wines, no? Stressing vines is good for wines, to a degree… as long as it’s not overboard.
I’m no expert…
No clue on what’s going on in the various parts of Europe.
From what I have heard the grapes need more heat to come around. Whites better than reds. Next days are looking good for weather. Vintners will wait as long as possible before harvesting.
Where are you referring to?
I was there (from South to North) from 31 Aug. to 6 Sept …
The situation is quite similar in Burgundy, Northern and Southern Rhone:
the summer was cool and wet, the grapes in need of additional sunshine … and they are more or less fragile …
that means IF the next week(s) are mostly sunny and warm it can be a good to fine vintage, but
IF not … well … ???
CdP was the least aproblem - with strong Mistral blowing … harvest should be partially under the way, at least for the whites (but Rayas will wait another 2-3 weeks).
Burgundy weather was nice in early september, but this weeks some rainfall is pronounced …
So we´ll see …
I cant speak to California as a whole but I work with a dozen or so vineyards in the Sierra foothills and far as irrigation goes it seems like it has been business as usual. Different vineyards take different approaches to irrigation but they have all had enough water to follow their normal game plan. Im sure this will change if there is another year or two of drought though. Eventually groundwater would run out I would suspect.
An exception to the above was a dry farmed vineyard in Placer County. Those grapes went pretty much directly from “not quite ripe enough” to outright raisins. It was depressing and I wouldn’t be surprised if the drought was the reason.
As far as vintage character its too early. If Ive seen any pattern at all it seems maybe the wines are a bit less opulent than last year and perhaps a touch more structured but I am by no means confident with that analysis. Time will tell.
When you say “there” I take it you mean the east side of France, not Bordeaux or the Loire.
There is just no place like There,
where there is nary a care in the Air.
When I retire, I want to perspire
in the rarified Air of There.
Bordeaux:
We’re not going to see the power and concentration of 2000, 2005 or 2010, or the warmth and generosity of 2009. The September sun saved the weaker vintages of 2002 and 2007 but 2014 is in far better shape going into the final run-up to harvest. It feels like a cross between 2001 and 2004 and it could be just what Bordeaux needs. A good or even very good vintage of extremely drinkable wine, with decent yields and attractive pricing.
Worst harvest in Italy for 50 years?
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/new…-half-a-century.html
bad link
Sorry, must have expired. I’ll try to find another.
P Hickner
Just brought in Marsanne and Wentzel Pinot so far. Surprising maturity (dark seeds, good lignification) for the early date. Sugars moderate and acids good - our Wentzel looks like it is heading to 13.2% alcohol and good acid (even with 30% whole cluster) and no adjustments.
Will be picking our Halcon Syrah on the Sept 20th. The earliest previous pick date for our Syrah is 10/12.
Whoa can’t wait to try that pinot! When will it be released?
Let’s see if this works.
P Hickner
It does thanks.
Yikes!
Whites are looking great, sugars seem to be plateauing at 12º and pHs quite low, perhaps due to potassium not being pulled into the grapes due to lack of rain? Phenolics on the reds are progressing but in my parcels they are not there yet. Could come in very thick and fast if forecasted end of next week storms continue to be forecast. Otherwise, things have been calm for once.
best of luck that the weather holds out.
Yes, sorry, I was unclear in the 1st sentence, but summed it up later:
I´ve been in CdP, Hermitage, Cote-Rotie and Cote d´Or (not in Bx or Loire, nor in Champagne).
I´ve also been in Languedoc and Provence shortly end of August, but too short to get an impression.
I´ve also been south of Bordeaux near Spain - and the weather was not especially good from 23 to 30 August.
Scott
A little early in the game to be sure, but likely released spring 2016.
Paul