The joy of being a winegrower is the inconsistency of the weather and the surprises a growing season can deliver. In our last note in the spring of 2007 we mentioned that cap fall was two weeks early and all indicators where showing a warmer that normal harvest.

Well the harvest was an early one! We started harvesting on the 23rd of August, but the weather experienced during June, July and August was in line with long term temperature averages. July was in fact slightly cooler than average and a full five degrees cooler than last year.

Coming off two very fruitful harvests in 05 and 06 we were very mindful of crop levels, especially in the Pinot noir. Fruit set was a success for a third year running so we reduced the Pinot bunches to 22 clusters per vine in the 1999 planting and to 28 clusters in the 1991 block. This was done in late June before veraison to achieve the full benefit of a lower crop load during the ripening process. The Chardonnay has consistently set 4 tons to the acre for the last 6 years and did so again this year and therefore only required some light thinning.

The mild weather allowed for exceptionally even ripening for the various clones and also showed distinct differences in development between them. Our younger Pinot noir block planted in 1999 has started to exhibit the first signs of maturity as the clones that are also planted in our older block (1991) ripened and were harvested on the same day. The Dijonaise clones 115 and 113 were fully ripe on the 23rd of August exhibiting intense black cherry and plum flavors along with big but finely resolved tannins. The following morning the 24th the 777 was harvested. Surprisingly, the Chardonnay had caught up with the Pinot so we harvested the younger Wente clone also on the 24th of August.

We made the decision to postpone harvesting for the next week in an attempt to ride out the heat forecast for the end of the month. The heat did arrive on the 28th, 29th and 30th as the valley sweated at temperatures over 100 degrees. The heat broke on the morning of the 31st as the fog returned and we harvested our Bouzeron and Elmo Pinot selections as well as more Wente Chardonnay. The Pommard was the last to ripen and was picked on the 3rd of September. The rest of the Chardonnay was harvested the 4th through the 7th bringing the season to an early end.

What of the wines? The Pinot noir has all the characteristics of a vin de garde, that is the structure that will reward long cellaring. The tannins are firm, big but round and fine all the while showing great refreshing acidity that give the wines superb definition and cut. The fruit flavors are pure cherry, red and black, with subtle floral and earth notes. The Chardonnay is slowly finishing its fermentation which was slightly cooler than usual and so is showing intense pure citrus fruit with perhaps slightly more tropical tones than the 2005 or 2006. White flower aromatics are already showing themselves which is exciting as this usually leads to a very complex aromatic profile. The viscosity and breadth is already impressive and so we will probably hold off on any stirring for the time being. In short, a very rewarding and satisfying harvest 2007!