The Fall colors are no giving way to the bare wood of the vines throughout most of wine country. Some vineyards have already finished their pruning though many will wait till later in the season.

The 2009 harvest in California will be considered one tough mama. Rain, wind, frost and smoke! Fortunately the fruit that did make it in was of good quality and many vineyards were not affected buy the quadruple challenges.

So stay tuned to those barrel samples. I tried a taste of some 09 central coast Cab from the vat (no barrel yet) and……it tasted as expected–young and grapey with no off odors. Not quite ready for prime time, or prime rib, but better than the mash of fruit juice it was a few months ago.

Cheers.

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