Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon on September 1, 2014 in St. Helena

About Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon in September

I have shot this grape cluster from the same vineyard at the beginning of June, mid July, August, and now September. Will it still be hanging in October? Hang time is an important factor especially in the big, brawny Cabernet Sauvignon wines that Robert Parker seems to like in his wine rating assessments. The longer the hang time, the more intense the flavors become in the berry. The longer the hang time, the more sugar in the berry. The result is a big-flavored Cabernet Sauvignon with high alcohol content. This grape cluster is from the Revana Family Vineyard in the St. Helena AVA. The vineyard rows at Revana are close to one another. This causes the grape roots to grow deeper in search of  nutrients and water. The grape clusters have also been thinned. With fewer grape clusters, the more flavors in each berry. The yields from this vineyard will be rather small, meaning that the average ton yield per acre will be very low in comparison to other vineyards. The result will be high-end and expensive Napa Valley Cabernet from the St. Helena AVA.

This year the harvest is ahead by about two weeks. Cabernet in the Napa Valley is usually one of the last grape varieties to be harvested. In late August the weather cooled unexpectedly, so perhaps this harvest may be in a normal pattern. My guess is that these grape vines will be harvested towards the end of this month. We shall see.

Here are links to the photos of this same vineyard and vine taken in June, July, and in August.

The Revana Family Vineyards is owned by Houston cardiologist Dr. Madaiah Revana. The consulting winemaker is Thomas Rivers Brown. Visitors can taste wines at the Revana Family Vineyards by appointment only and the fee is $55 per person. Nearby wineries are St. Clement Vineyards, Ballentine Vineyards, and Charles Krug winery.