Ralph & Lahni de Amicis, Napa, Sonoma, San Francisco
The 2011 growing season has favored Napa, a little, over Sonoma. Between the greater than average fog hanging around longer in the day, and the cooler year (not as cool as 2010 thankfully) warmer Napa has benefited from its more inland position.
Other than the harvest being later than average, the year has been wonderful, here's why. The quality of the sunlight has been remarkable. Grapes are composed of a large percentage of sunlight. One of the ways that you see this play out is in the color of the beautiful flowers throughout the region, luminous.
Coincidentally the tiny grape and olive flowers didn't fair as well, being rained on at a critical time and washing the pollen away. The resulting shatter left gaps in the grape bunches, which can benefit quality by allowing more air circulation, the offset is that the per bunch weight is lower. However, with ultra premium grapes they often drop green bunches to reduce the harvest. More open bunches accomplish that while protecting the grapes from mold. The olives didn't do as well and the harvest is down by sixty percent state wide.
Although, I was in the olive grove at Rutherford Hill the other day and the trees were heavy with fruit. Every place where I'm tasting grapes, and I taste far and wide, the flavors have been very good, rich and satisfying. The grapes are coming in, and I've spotted harvested vineyards all over over the place, and as long as the rains hold off I think that quantity will be good and the 2011 wines will be as delicious as the grapes.
Call 707-235-2648 for Tours, Books & Seminars Copyright Ralph & Lahni de Amicis 2011 All tasting fees, hours, wine lists, etc are subject to change.