Summer's Almost Over

Technically there are three weeks to go until autumn, but by and large Labor Day marks the end of summer here in Ohio. The schools are open again after summer recess, everything is ripe or ripening and the weather is hot and dry. The days are getting shorter as well.

That said, today was the first 'autumn' trip. We drove two hours to the Kinkead Ridge Winery to pick up the 2006 red wines they were releasing this weekend. After tasting and buying at the winery we headed 'up the hill' to the vineyard, pictured above in a photo taken late this morning. The colors are representative of most of the area at this time of year. The only thing still 'lush' in the picture are the vines on the left of the image.

The 2006 vintage was a tough one as rain and cold weather plagued the area in late September and October and that played havoc with the red grapes. Kinkead usually produces four red wines, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Syrah. In 2006 they declassified the Syrah and Cabernet Franc to a second label, River Village Cellars, and the only red sporting the regular Kinkead Ridge label is a red blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. All three were good wines for the price, but it was easy to see why two varieties were put on a second label. Both wines are identifiable, but they are definitely shadows of previous vintages. At reduced prices they remain a bargain. The red blend is easily the best of the three, but it too is lighter than any of the 2005 reds, and the price is reflective of that also.

I'll be drinking a bottle of each over the next couple of weeks with an appropriate meal and will have more detailed notes then.

A good day.