Cabernet Sauvignon at Véraison

While we were concentrating our attention on our Auxerrois, the Cabernet Sauvignon was entering véraison! Last year, the Cabernet Sauvignon was at véraison around September 1, so this year it appears to be one week earlier. Strangely enough, even though the Cabernet Franc flowered earlier, the Cabernet Sauvignon is changing color first.

This one bunch was way ahead of the others with respect to ripening. We didn't have our refractometer handy, but we tasted one grape and it definitely had turned the corner on astringency and was tasting like Cabernet Sauvignon! Time to bring the refractometer into the vineyard to check on the Brix.