We are pleased to share Zolo and Tapiz’s Vineyard Manager Carlos Correas’s ‘08 harvest notes:
“”This harvest was characterized by a minor decrease in volume compared to the ‘07 harvest.
Winter was unusual in that there were many snowfalls and colder-than-normal temperatures. A mild spring without cold or rainy periods produced a very good bud breaking, growth of shoots, floration, and blooming, which created a good formation of clusters. Spring finished without any problems of the plants’ health.
The weather was hot in December, which brought an early veraison. January and February had much higher-than-normal rainfall, which complicated the health of the white varietals.
The rest of the summer was benign and very favorable to achieving great expression in medium-to-late maturing red grapes. In high quality, late-maturing varietals, the harvest was delayed in order to achieve the optimum sugar level.
Among the red wines, the Malbecs achieved an optimum quality with deep colors and good aromatic intensity; the Merlots were mature, concentrated and spicy; and the Cabernets were excellent varietal examples.
In general, it can be stated that this season will create wines of very good to excellent quality, with a very good level of alcohol and big body.
The occurrence of climatic accidents did not significantly affect the quality of the grapes. En the case of hail, the damage was greater than normal, because of a hail storm on Feb. 9 that affected the production and quality of a large amount of vineyards. However, at summer’s end the climate was normal and good vineyard management permitted the avoidance of disease, so that only in some places and in small percentages were vineyards affected, delaying their maturity because of the foliage change.”"
