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Off to Pick Grapes

I just wanted to prove I got [...]

Mourning: 2006 “Gardner’s Block” Cabernet

Microorganisms have wrecked about four gallons of the “Gardner’s Block” Cabernet. It’s a sad day. I opened the keg to take a sample and saw a rainbow-colored slick on the top. The smell confirmed my fears. I tasted it from the top and the bottom; the infection is all the way through. Oh well, we must [...]

2007 Harvest Set

This Sunday, 9/30/07 we will be driving up to Sonoma to harvest, then crushing that [...]

Vinquiry Lab Results 2006 Merlot (Update)

9/21

Here are the real results from Vinquiry:

pH – 3.70 – Autotitrator
Titratable Acidity – 0.592 g/100mL – Autotitrator
Free SO2 – None detected – Segmented Flow
Total SO2 – None detected – Segmented Flow
Volatile Acidity – 0.080 g/100mL – Segmented Flow
Malic Acid – 3 mg/100mL – Enzymatic

Now I just need to figure out what this all means!

I am most surprised at the complete lack of SO2. Gotta fix that soon. I don’t know what amount of Malic acid defines a complete ML fermentation. Watch this space for more info.

Continue reading Vinquiry Lab Results 2006 Merlot (Update)

It’s raining

I sure hope this rain doesn’t turn [...]

2007 Estimated Grape Prices

Petite Verdot and Cabernet Franc are the big winners this year. The NVG recommends the following price ranges, per ton, for 2007 Napa Valley appellation high quality wine grapes:

Chardonnay: $2,400-$2,900
Sauvignon Blanc: $1,800-$2,100

Semillon: $1,900-$2,200
Pinot Gris: $1,900-$2,200

Cabernet Sauvignon: $4,000-$4,800
Cabernet Franc: $4,200-$4,800

Merlot: $2,800-$3,200
Malbec: $3,800-$4,300

Petit Verdot: $4,800-$5,400
Petite Sirah: $3,200-$3,600

Pinot Noir: $3,100-$3,600
Sangiovese: $1,900-$2,200

Syrah: $2,800-$3,200
Zinfandel: $2,900-$3,400

Source: Napa [...]

2006 Merlot Lab Tests

I pulled off 300 ml to send to Vinquiry today. After racking I took the left-overs and ran my own lab tests on it. Here are my numbers, they seem a little weird.

TA = .65%
pH = 3.66
SO2 = 45 +

The acid should be higher considering the pH and SO2 seems high as well. Now we get [...]

Harvest Update

After speaking with Levi  it looks like we will be picking either 9/29 or 9/30. We are going to get the grapes from the other vineyard from our usual rows. Even with the pruning problem I am assured they are good. Hopefully we can get both lots in the [...]

I Finished the Sopranos

I finally watched the [...]

Syrah Update

The weather has cooled considerably and instead of sugars rising at 3º Brix a week, they are down to 1ºB/week. So that means the weekend of the 22nd, if cooling continues, the following weekend. Fickle mother nature. I learned that choosing the time to harvest Syrah is not just a sugar thing. Other indicators are basal leaf [...]