*The values for 9-9-11 are the mean of two independent samples from the whole primitivo field.

Comments: 

In what we expect to be the final primitivo sample of the year, very good ripening progress was observed across the board, with the total acidity finally getting to a respectable point.  The juice looks and tastes ripe.  Our primitivo harvests are currently ongoing and will be completed by next week.  We’ll post the availability of additional fruit, if any, once the committed orders are filled.

The barbera also showed very good ripening progress, with another large drop in TA that was coupled with a much smaller rise in sugar.  This is exactly what we hoped for in this varietal that we are seldom able to pick shy of the high 20’s in brix.   Could this be the year?  The pH rose nicely, though not as much as would have liked.  We see harvest in this field as about 1-2 weeks out depending on client preferences, the weather, and logistics.

The Quinta’s tourgia nacional showed steady ripening progress across the board, though we were hoping for a little more movement on the brix.  With cooler weather ahead, and possibly even some rain, it’s now clear that we’re going to need an additional 2 weeks, and thus the Quinta will be harvested on October 15.  We plan to irrigate the Quinta little, if at all, in the interim.  Berry sampling for the supporting varietals showed no perceptible progress on brix (refractometry) except for tempranillo, which is looking and tasting fully ripe.  The additional 2 weeks will be particular value for the souzao, the latest ripening varietal that contributes significant color to the blend.  The brix results for the supporting varietals were as follows:

Tempranillo, 24.0 +/- 1.4

Tinto Cao, 22.9 +/- 1.7

Tinta Amarela, 23.8 +/- 1.7

Souzao, 20.6 +/- 1.7

The touriga nacional (2009 graft) made steady ripening progress across the board, though the sugar remains low, and continues a full 2 weeks behind the Quinta touriga.  The vines look healthy, the vines are protected from birds with netting, and substantial fruit was dropped a few weeks ago, so there is nothing left to do but wait and hope the weather cooperates.  We are projecting a late October harvest for this touriga field.