Wine Article
2015 William & Mary Cabernet Sauvignon Shifflett Ranch
Last edited on 11/11/2017 by PSUSteve
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From the release newsletter
The weather at bloom/set. Tiny berries/clusters. Consistently above average temperatures.
2015 was the third year of below average precipitation and the vintage was off to a predictably early start. A start that ran into the first 'moment' of the vintage - cool, damp weather in May. What was shaping up to be another good sized crop was immediately cut by nearly a third (or more in some places). Taking it one step further, that was the last cool weather we had that summer as we were consistently above average the rest of the way, resulting in small, compact clusters with tiny berries.
The results were fantastic. Beautiful color and extraction. The earlier harvest date (almost three weeks compared to 2014) preserved freshness and aromatics, a true reflection of vintage and site. If not for the terrible yields, we would welcome 2015 back anytime.
The weather at bloom/set. Tiny berries/clusters. Consistently above average temperatures.
2015 was the third year of below average precipitation and the vintage was off to a predictably early start. A start that ran into the first 'moment' of the vintage - cool, damp weather in May. What was shaping up to be another good sized crop was immediately cut by nearly a third (or more in some places). Taking it one step further, that was the last cool weather we had that summer as we were consistently above average the rest of the way, resulting in small, compact clusters with tiny berries.
The results were fantastic. Beautiful color and extraction. The earlier harvest date (almost three weeks compared to 2014) preserved freshness and aromatics, a true reflection of vintage and site. If not for the terrible yields, we would welcome 2015 back anytime.