harvest reports
Vintage in a Grapeseed
To My Friends:
Our winemaking team just completed a review of our 2001 harvest and the wines we produced. Here is the scorecard:
Fume Blanc - Sonoma and Lake Counties. Early harvest. Picked between August 20th and September 9th. Very good quality 8+ (out of 10). High consistent across the board. We tasted 22 lots and probably all but 2 or 3 will make the final blend. Fresh hay and citrus aroma, great textured acidity. Sauvignon Blanc crop was above average by 10%.
Chardonnay - Carneros District. One of the best harvests for Chardonnay in the last five years. Excellent quality 9. Picked between September 24 and October 17. Very consistent. All lots whole cluster pressed and cold barrel fermented. Good fermentations, strong flavors, big body and excellent acidity. Because of frost in April, harvest was down 15%.
Merlot - Sonoma County. Areas with moderate temperatures did well. In some places, temperature variations effected the thin skinned Merlot. Just tasted all Merlot Thursday and the quality is strong, 8. Deep color, good middle, bigger tannins than last few years. Merlot crop was below normal by 5% because of shatter during bloom in June.
Cabernet Sauvignon. Like Chardonnay, the red wine star of 2001. Quality is 9. The early bird might have had a worm, but if you waited, you ate steak! Patience in 2001 was rewarded. Cabernet Sauvignon that was allowed to hang longer picked up deep color, rich texture, complexity and big soft tannins. Crop size was around average.
Pinot Noir - Sonoma and Coast. Variable quality. The temperature swings hurt some lots. Initial large crop loads presented challenges. We have some excellent lots. Quality overall 7. Some lots 8+. Pinot Noir crop size was about average by 10%.
Zinfandel - Sonoma. Variable quality. Thin skin zinfandel was effected by the hot then cold. High alcohols were a challenge too. Dry farmed vineyards picked earlier did very well. Quality 7+. Crop size was below average -10%
Syrah. Sonoma and Coast. Temperature variations were tough on Syrah, like Zinfandel and Pinot Noir. Bien Nacido Syrah in Santa Barbara were the last grapes picked on November 6, 2001. Quality 7+. Crop size normal.
This harvest, all of the Benziger Family Winery's capital improvements in 2000 and 2001 (two brand new crushing complexes and cave wine storage) came together and functioned smoothly. This will contribute greatly to our overall quality.
Our crew toasts your hard work and support of our family's wines and we wish everyone a great, great holiday season. Thanks!
Jose Ortiz drains out the last tank from the 2001 harvest.
Celebrating in our new caves - we toast you!
Benziger Family Vineyards
Sonoma Mountain, November 28, 2001