As you can see, veraison is in full swing.  Some clusters are showing almost 100% color change and others have barely started.  Within the next week or two, after we feel like we’re at mostly 100%, we’ll go through and drop the clusters that are still green or partially green.

Butterdragon Hill

More vigor here as expected.  We’ve removed a lot of leaves from around the clusters to promote even ripening and airflow.  It’s been a cool summer with almost daily fog hanging around until midmorning.

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Baconbrook

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2001 Schrader Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To-Kalon Vineyard – USA, California, Napa Valley, Oakville (7/16/2010)
Round and plump with fleshy, sweet mouthfeel. Flavors of ripe plums, cherries, pie crust, milk chocolate, coffee. Superbly balanced from its explosive attack through a long echoing finish. Muscular, but graceful. Fantastic wine. (94 pts.)

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With bread and wine you can walk your road. -Spanish Proverb

2009 Egelhoff Riesling – USA, California, Napa Valley (8/1/2010)
Wonderfully dry and refreshing right now but not showing much of its stuff at this young age. Cellar to get more bang for your buck or drink now for a summer quaffer.

2000 Château Charmail – France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Haut-Médoc (7/17/2010)
Raspberries, tobacco, cedar. Nice up front but thin on the finish. Though no rush, I see little upside. (87 pts.)

2004 Radio-Coteau Syrah Cherry Camp – USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast (6/15/2010)
Cherry pipe tobacco, pepper, cedar, medicinal character. Flavors start off fleshy and round but thin rather quickly. Drink now. (83 pts.)

2003 Broman Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon – USA, California, Napa Valley (4/9/2010)
Charming and elegant light sophisticate… red berries, charcoal, milk chocolate. Drink now. (86 pts.)

2006 Ceja Pinot Noir – USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast (6/1/2010)
Hot nose of alcohol with some berry flavored candy (gummy bears?) peeking through. Very ripe, round strawberries with whipped cream. Balanced and pleasant enough but not what you’re looking for if wanting a traditionally styled Pinot. Finish is rough. (84 pts.)

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The wine urges me on, the bewitching wine, which sets even a wise man to singing and to laughing gently, and rouses him up to dance and brings forth words which were better unspoken. -Homer

You can say that again, Homer.

08/03/2010 Winemaker Cary Gott and I walked the Baconbrook Vineyard today.  We’re starting to see some change in color.  Veraison has started on Spring Mountain, but it’s not very far along.  I’d guesstimate <10%.  The mild weather in Northern California continues.  In fact, they are expecting a relatively cool week with heavy fog in the early morning and highs below normal.  At Baconbrook, we’re probably 1 1/2 weeks or so behind normal but that could change if we start stringing together some warm, sunny days.  One of the main lessons I’ve learned about farming is the only thing that is “normal” is that it is never normal.

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2003 Round Pond Cabernet Sauvignon – USA, California, Napa Valley, Rutherford (6/13/2010)
One of the richer, fruit-driven Napa Cabs I have had from the 2003 vintage. Impeccable balance. It was a tough year and not everyone did this well. Plump, ripe cherries, cappuccino, and milk chocolate with a tightly focused sweet oak character. Extremely long finish. Drink now. (92 pts.)

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What though youth gave love and roses, Age still leaves us friends and wine.
-Thomas More

2004 Outpost Cabernet Sauvignon – USA, California, Napa Valley, Howell Mountain (6/9/2010)
Opened at 3, decanted at 6, drank at 7. Initially I thought it was a bit thin, but it became more and more impressive, gaining heft in the decanter and glass. Currant, raspberry, and espresso combine in this dark, brooding wine. Some red licorice notes too. The finish of chocolate covered cherries is extremely long and satisfying. Well made for the long haul. Hold until at least 2012 and and the prodigious fruit combined with balanced structure will probably take it to its 20th birthday. (93 pts.)

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Photos taken July 20, 2010. I don’t know if it’s obvious from the photos, but Baconbrook seems a bit further along… as usual. BB’s clusters appear tighter too. Zero sign of veraison.

Butterdragon Hill

Baconbrook