2017: I’ll lead with the same line as last time, “The warmest vintages we’ve ever seen in the
Willamette Valley over 50+ years are the last five. Period.” It can’t be overstated. By October 4th
we’d already seen 2445 degree-days, within a chip shot of Region 2’s lower boundary of 2500
degree-days.
This year we caught up to a late start with hot-hot-hot! Extremes in 2017 saw more days over 80F,
at 86, than any year except 2015, the record-hot year so far, and more days over 90F, at 32, than
we’ve ever seen. Harvest 2017 happened when it traditionally has, beginning the last week or so
of September and lasting until the first few days of November. Timing is reassuring since last year’s
harvest began in August—freakily early. At first, 2017 looked like an extreme opposite to 2016,
with very late budbreak and bloom, following a wet rainy season where 150% of average rainfall
filled soils. However, abnormally warm and dry months then took over. Very high temperatures this
year were the norm, with no other year showing more days over-90F days and only 2015 having
more days above-80F. Harvest timing was similar to the old days of cool climate harvests in the
Willamette Valley—the only difference being the intensely hot summer preceding it. The heat gave
full ripeness to the fruit, despite a large crop load and a plodding start to the growing season. A bit
more rain fell this year, but September’s 2.06 inches had only a refreshing impact, especially since
it was spread over 11 days. The rain coincided with cooling weather, seeing 67F average highs
over the last 10 days, compared to the prior two weeks’ 87F. Since harvest began September
17th, low temperatures averaged 47F, with a high-low diurnal swing of 27F, which means acid
brightness was well retained.
Implications are a large crop load, pristine fruit quality, fully mature flavors and phenological
parameters, softer acids urging earlier harvest despite pH and sugars saying “don’t pick yet.”
Although I may be thinking too highly, 2017 reminds me of 1994 and 2008, based on
concentration and spherical focus. The harvest timing being normal is a big plus and the industry’s
ongoing education on how to adapt to a warmer/changed climate makes each vintage more-andmore sophisticated, age-worthy and complex.
List Price: $69.00
Quantity in Stock: 8
add to cart continue shoppingYour shopping cart is empty!
Sat, May 28, 2022
Private Event- Liroff
Sat, May 28, 2022
"This is very old wine. I hope you will like it." Count Dracula in Dracula (1931) And were drinki...
Thu, Jun 2, 2022
“Someone said drink the water, but I will drink the wine / Someone said take a poor man, the rich don&rsquo...
Fri, Jun 3, 2022
“History’s lessons drowned in red wine” Children&rsqu...
Sat, Jun 4, 2022
"Good wine is a good familiar creature if it be well used." William Shakespeare (1564-1616) Othello,...
Tue, Jun 7, 2022
Wine Bar Closed for Private Event - HWS
Thu, Jun 9, 2022
Wine Bar Closed for Private Event- Moss
Fri, Jun 10, 2022
"You have only so many bottles in your life, never drink a bad one." Len Evans We don’...
Sun, Jun 12, 2022
Wine Bar Closed June 12- June 14
Fri, Jun 17, 2022
Torbreck Australian Wine Tasting