Summer Thoughts

Summer Thoughts

On the presumed eve of harvest (that is, were it a growing season that largely conformed to our 21 years of viticulture), I would typically find myself tentatively extrapolating notions about the vintage’s prospects from the patterns noted since bud break. As noted, though, this summer has been hard to place within a familiar template.

The Singer Baker Lane Estate Cool Climate Syrah Project
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The Singer Baker Lane Estate Cool Climate Syrah Project

In the world of wine (as in other realms where aesthetics and commerce converge), there are many descriptive terms and catchphrases that gain traction. Instead of providing clarification, though, sometimes these expressions themselves are much subject to interpretation. As examples, consider the following: Is that ‘spicy’ salsa going to be equally spicy to every eater?…

Whither Côte-Rôtie

Whither Côte-Rôtie

With these essays, my attention now turns to Côte-Rôtie, the esteemed Syrah zone in the northern Rhone Valley. I’m not a wine historian, nor do I suffer the delusion that we are producing Côte-Rôtie from our Estate vines; that only happens much closer to Ampuis than where Baker Lane is situated. These musings reflect on…

A Season’s Transition

A Season’s Transition

When winter recedes in Northern California, the anticipation that is hardwired into spring’s warmer days and the onset of budbreak has always been accompanied by a practice of reflection and critical thinking. While memories remain vivid, and wines and oils are still resting in barrel or bottle, a new growing campaign at Singer Wine is necessarily a…