The Gold Standard

This past weekend I was privledged to sample the gold standard of late harvest Sauternes.  My first and probably my last taste of Chateau d'Yquem 2000.  I would agree that this dessert wine is the most amazing taste I have ever had in a bottle.  The idea of tasting this wine to help me better appreciate the  goal that we wish to achieve with our estate grown Vidal Blanc is a bit disarming.  If we can make a wine that makes someone even think of Chateau d'Yquem, we will consider our first late harvest a success.  The wine is proceeding as planned and the proof will be in the product.

Today I stopped the fermentation after more than 5 weeks at 11% alcohol.  Because the weather has been so cold the fermentation has been proceeding very slowly.  After a few more weeks of resting, I plan to transfer everything into a new French Oak barrel.  Next fall we should be tasting our first bottle of Late Harvest Vidal Blanc.