Napa Vintage Flashcards
2018
(Excellent): February saw abundant rains, followed by lots of filtered light in spring and early summer. Bud break and flowering was a bit late, but with ideal weather conditions there was an even fruit set. Generous sun during the day and cooler marine influences. This mild summer followed by extended fall sunshine and moderate heat allowed gradual increase in sugar and ripeness.
2017
(Fair): Extreme heat surprised even the most seasoned winemakers. Over ripeness resulted in high sugar levels. High alcohol and full body.
2016
Good): While Europe suffered from frost and hail, northern California experienced very heavy rainfall in autumn 2016. While that partially relieved the extended drought status of the region, it also caused some flood damage. Cooler than normal temperatures in August allowed for a steady, gradual ripening, which has produced wines of very good complexity, and higher-than-average natural acidity.
2015
(Fair): Harvest started very early. Yields were universally down.
2014
(Good): Drought was severe for the second year in a row. Only minimally relieved by rains in late February. Summer was steadily warm which lead to one of the earliest harvests on record. Yields were very high.. Today the wines, though young, show great promise. Ripe tannins and great breath in the mouth.
2013
(Excellent): Earthquake Vintage. First year of a two-year major drought. Total precipitation only measured 6 inches. Vintage was genial, aside from the obvious water stress, with steadily warm weather only surpassing 100F once. Harvest was rather early. Significant amounts of wine were lost during a serious earthquake which toppled barrels in late August.
2012
(Good): 2012 was an even-keeled vintage of ideal proportions—wet winter, temperate spring, a long warm summer followed by extended autumn warmth. Many vintners experienced stuck fermentations. The wines today. While the quality of many 2012s are very high, many wines seem to exhibit easy-drinking somewhat simple natures. Hopefully these wines will develop with time, but currently the wines show a sweetly-fruited and soft broad appeal.
2011
(Poor): Good for Chardonnay. Very cold and wet year. High amounts of botrytis and rot. Extensive sorting made yields low. The wines today. Very divisive vintage. Best of 2011’s are light, refreshing and high acidity with a touch of Cabernets greenness. Many vintners refused to adjust to the limitations of the vintage are manipulated the wines to appear more full-bodied and extracted. Chaptalization was very common this year, as were tannin additions, and even some producers added grape concentrate to their must. Tend to have cheap tastes and chewy woody note. Mountain ranges in the Vacas fared better than the floor. Pinot and Chardonnay incidentally had one of their finest vintages.
2010
(Good): Cool wet year capped by dramatic heat. Yields were low.The wines today. Dark, inky, structural Cabernet that spear capable of great age. Wines are intense, with rich fruit balanced by stout tannins, great acidity, and savory earthy tones. A great vintage
2009
(Fair): Third year of a drought. Real drama of the vintage happened mid-October when the drought was broken by a 5-inchj deluge.
2008
(Fair): Wildfires. Did not make it to Napa,
2007
(Legendary): Extremely celebrated vintage. 07 winter was very cold and dry, but Feb was warm enough to trigger budbreak. Summer was long and mild with only one heat burst. September was uncharacteristically chilly, and harvest was rather early.The wines today. Defined by their smooth, rich fruit at release, but are now moving into an interesting phase. Acidity is rather high and fruits are red and fresh.
2006
(fair): Wines today are designed for immediate enjoyment. Still quite tannic but maturing rapidly.
2005
Good): Unusual vintage. Dry warm march led to early budbreak. Then cool and wet weather delated bloom. Huge crop was set, but the weather was not warm enough to ripen to California standard. Some vintners picked as late as mid-November. The wines today. Some will dismiss as a “French Vintage” wines are lean, high acidity, and a hallmark tomato-leaf aroma. Recent tasting indicate the wines are evolving in a positive direction, and its possible that more time is required for the vintage to display its charms.
2004
Poor): One of the earliest seasons on record, which was triggered by heavy rains in December and February followed by uncharacteristically warm and dry March and April. Summer was hot with regular heat waves in June-September. The wines today. Exceptionally ripe, fairly low in acidity, and rather flabby.
2003
(poor): High rainfall in April. Of all the off-vintages this one is exceptionally charmless. Very angular.
2002
fair): Rain in March and April interfered with the fruit set. Then 100F heat spike. Many other 100F days followed and pick date is heavily determinate of acidity levelsThe wines today. Exceptionally ripe with low acidity. Not built to last.
2001
(Legendary): Started out difficult but ended smoothly. Cool enough in the winter that snow fell in February. Hot stretch in March triggered an early budbreak, and the tender shoots were damaged by a hard freeze in April. May was hot, as was June. Fall was cool, harvest finished early.
The wines today. Rare balance of structure and generosity
2000
(Excellent): Winter was average, and sprig was clement with no frost. Summer was long, with only one heat wave.The wines today. Pretty, feminine, smooth, and supple—these are seductive, attracting wines that are at a terrific place in their drinking window.
1999
Legendary): Small crop that matured over a long, cool growing season. 1999 was exceptionally dry. The wines today. Interesting vintage. The wines have evolved considerably over the last several years. Cabernets are dark and brooding, quite structural and savory. Old-world in style and wines still need time to open up.
1998
(Good): Cool and wet year. One of the latest harvests on record.
1997
(Fair): Wet winter and dry spring. Summer was warm. September and October were cold. Long hang times.The wines today. Many vintners didn’t have the tank space for all the yields so some grapes hung longer than wished for. This caused more ripeness than you would expect for a cool year. Wines tend to be lower acid and a bit flabby. Wines are not aging well.
1996
(Good): Masculine and well-structured, with a dark core of fruit. Earth tones emerging in these wines skew towards leather and library book. Lovely, exciting wines that will likely age for several more decades.
1995
(Excellent): Dramatic vintage. Very rainy winter. Yields were very low but autumn was temperate which allowed late-blooming bunches to mature. The wines today. Cheerful, high-toned fruit with chalky tannins and fine acidity. Delicious now, but capable of aging.