The 2010 vintage will probably be recalled as a wet one, given that showers occurred during each of the spring months and on into May. While total rainfall actually falls into the “normal” range, the frequency of the rains loomed large and created an annoyance by encouraging weed growth and rot so that growers had to respond with more vineyard floor and canopy management. The cool spring delayed flowering and produced modest crop sets.
If March, April and May were cool months, so were June, July and even August – until the final week. After a summer of seemingly endless 75° to 80° F. days, the end of August brought a blast of heat during which a practically unheard of 105° F. day was recorded in Carneros. Even with this heat spike, August was as cool on average as July. That situation proved problematic. The sudden heat had a damaging effect … More…
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