2023 Les Fruits Rouges

What can be said about this year's kooky growing season? Several thoughts come immediately to mind: Much of the Central Coast (and large parts of the North Coast) of California enjoyed a genuinely cool and mild simmer. Apart from being afflicted by twinges of guilt at our extreme good fortune while others sweltered, it was a genuine pleasure to receive the massive amount of rainfall last winter and spring to be followed by a cool and gentle summer. The net effect, of course, was to set back the rimpening date on the order of 3 weeks later than "normal," which actually closely resembles something like the "normal" of maybe 40 years ago. All things considered, 2023 promises to be an exceptional vintage."