Clark-Claudon’s WeBlog

Our 2007 Estate Cab will be released tomorrow. The buzz is building! Not only was ’07 the best growing year of the decade, but a meticulous process of tasting, blending and culling led to our smallest production since 1995; only 500 cases.

Our 1995 Estate Cab was included in a Gordon Getty re-play of the Paris Tasting as a prelude to his Imagine Auction in 1998. We were so excited to have our wine included and then extactic to have taken 1st place. The 2007 Estate Cab is a similar wine with beautiful structure, balance and abundant fruit. We can’t wait to release it. This wine will also hold its own with the best of the best!

I had such a good time sharing the 2007 Estate Cab at 2 pre-release tastings in Houston; one for the trade and one at Vin de Garde, a private storage facility.  The buzz started and hasn’t stopped yet!  Once you taste it, you too will be talking!

Categories: Engage, Recent Postings
Tags: 2007 Napa Valley Estate Cab, Napa Valley, Paris Tasting

This is one crazy season.  The wet winter was great; we needed the water.  The cool spring and late bud break was not worth worry.   Even the very moderate weather in June and July still left time for things to warm up.  But now, almost half way into August , it isn’t heating up nor are the vines catching up.  In fact, in most areas verasion is barely beginning or not yet happening at all.

Verasion is the transition from berry growth to ripening. when the fruit begins to turn from green to red for red varieties  or golden for white varieties.  Typically harvest begins 60 to 65 days following verasion.  At Clark-Claudon Vineyards we have begun this process which means our harvest will begin in mid October; 30 days later than usual.  Since  we historically have 3 weeks from the beginning of harvest to the end that means we could finish just in time for Halloween.  Vineyards in even cooler areas might be harvesting right up to Thanksgiving!

There are rumors that this cool system is leaving.  I hope that means a warming trend without any rain in sight!

Categories: Educate, Recent Postings

Clark-Claudon Featured in Back Lane Wineries of Napa Valley

Back Lane Wineries was written by Tilar Mazzeo, author of New York Times best selling biography, “The Widow Clicquot,” and the forthcoming, “Secret of Chanel No.5.”  It is a gem of a book for visitors who want to get away from the crowds and commercial center of the Napa Valley and have a more personal & relaxed wine country experience. It was a pleasure to share our wine and a tranquil visit on the vineyard cottage deck. Tilar is definitely a writer worth following!  www.littlebookroom.com/napa.html

 Clark-Claudon Cabernet Featured in the Second Printing of Decanting Napa Valley; The Cook Book

Available this Fall…more info coming; www.decantingwinecountry.com

Categories: Experience