We are sampling today in all sites. The rain comes this evening and for the next 2 to 3 days so we need to know where we are with sample composition before the expected 30 to 60 mm’s of rain.
The rain should not worry the fruit as we have cool winds from the south after Tuesday. We will be watching for split and Botrytis although there is nothing we can do.
The Pinot was picked last year on the 6th of March. Today’s samples I expect to be at around 20 Brix and 8 grams+ of acid (malates of 3 grams+) and pH’s of 3.2. Given the expected rain and prevailing cool conditions I would expect a maximum of 1.5 Brix a week and given the acids picking will be in 2 to 3 weeks, I reckon on my birthday. Can’t think of a better present.
The Tiers 1.5X1.5 is at about 19 Brix and the old at 17 Brix so the 1.5m will follow straight after the Foggy Hill in the last days of March/first of April, the Old a week after that, probably on the 9th.
Whalebone today will be at about 19 Brix (17.5 last week) for Cabernets and acids of 8 to 9 so don’t expect to pick until second week of April, Merlot just before.
It’s going to be a busy April.
BJC.
