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August 20, 2010In August, most of Europe goes on holiday.
Tony Visconti, b. 1944
It would be easy for me to say that this August, it almost feels like we’ve gone on holiday too. The grapes had such a late start and slow growing season that we’re still weeks away from harvest. I just drove back to the winery and the temperature rose from 73 in Napa to 74 in Yountville. At 2PM in the middle of August?! Only 74 degrees?! Unheard of.
Normally we’d be bringing in our Syrah by now, off to the races, juggling the timing on picking the Chardonnay. This year, the Syrah is several weeks away and the Chardonnay is still showing the ill effects of our spectacularly wet and chilly spring. Clusters display berries of such widely varying size it makes me wonder how we’ll ever pick it. And the Merlot, while more evenly sized, is also showing the wide window of bloom time it is known for. We’ve gone through all the rows, dropping green crop once already, and we’re about to go through a second time. Yes, it’s a waste, but it’s the only way to guarantee evenly mature grapes when it comes to picking, and that translates into delicious wine, bursting with ripe fruit flavors. Green fruit belongs on the ground, not in your wine.
About this time of year, people begin to put their summer whites away and turn to the more serious reds of fall, red wines that is. In perfect timing for our fall season, the 2006 vintage Cabernet sauvignons were recently rated in Wine Enthusiast; the Napa Cabernet got a 91, the Clone Six was designated a Cellar Selection with a score of 90. Additionally, in the August edition of Connoisseurs Guide to California Wine, they tasted the 2007 vintage Cabernet sauvignons, awarding a score of 91 to the Clone Six, and a 90 to the Napa Cabernet. Anthony has spent his entire life pursuing all things Cabernet sauvignon; we’re thrilled to see it begin to pay off with ratings like these to go along with our seven medal sweep at the state fair last month.
Beginning September 1, the official end-of-year buying season begins, and our lives leap into overdrive. Anthony is going to be in the office about five days; I’ll be here a bit more, probably nine days. October isn’t looking that much better, but if we don’t get out there in front of our biggest customers, we won’t get our fair share of attention in the market, and these days, that fair share is a really important part of our business. So if you visit the winery and we’re not here, don’t be surprised; just ask Don, Kelly or Sharon – they’ll be happy to fill you in on our itinerary. Then you can sit back, enjoying a sip of something delicious while gazing over the vineyard or soaking up the ambiance of the reserve room, and be happy you’re on the tasting end of the wine business!
Cheers,
Sandra, Anthony and everyone at Bell Wine Cellars
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