tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7037390285595507610.post5957809843002545599..comments2023-11-27T22:09:36.814-08:00Comments on Napa Valley Vintners: Vintage of the Century!NVV Web Managerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00021716812057306601noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7037390285595507610.post-40136468352483729772012-11-01T09:14:30.057-07:002012-11-01T09:14:30.057-07:00nice post Craig, and your enthusiasm and energy is...nice post Craig, and your enthusiasm and energy is always refreshing.<br /><br />I have to laugh a bit at all the comments on 'the vintage of xxx' this year.<br /><br />Its been a solid year there is no doubt, for most regions.<br /><br />Beyond any doubt it was a GROWERS year, with yields 2-3x previous years. Whether that translates into a vintner banner year remains to be seen. There is no doubt 2012 will be a solid year.<br /><br />It was encouraging to watch you still pick at modest levels. <br />I will confess widespread disappointment at how many winemakers resorted back to practices of extended hang time and over ripening, pre 2010 & 2011. <br /><br />I had hoped the challenge, but in many ways gifts, of the previous years may have stuck longer, but watched over & over as people picked reds at 28 brix and did huge water & acid adds, or thought Chardonnay just wasn't ripe enough mid Oct at 24-25 brix. <br /><br />Behind the scenes, containers of water, sugar (yes.) etc all in wide use.<br /><br />Clearly many are unable to resist the temptations of extended hang time, for extra 'flavor ripeness' unless forced by nature to do otherwise.<br /><br />Bravo to you, and others like you, that take the gift of a good year and don't abuse it. Lets hope the very slow market shift continues.Two Shepherdshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13426506978949387662noreply@blogger.com