Despite significant early precipitation, the 2022 season began under drought conditions. Although rainfall totals leading into spring were normal, winter saw one of the longest dry spells in recent history. We received significant rain in October and additional rainfall in December at the start of winter, yet over two and a half winter months went without a drop. This early rain couldn’t make up for the persistently dry winter.
Early strategic irrigation applications and small doses of rain in April helped enhance nutrient availability in the soil. Providing deliberate supplemental organic nutrients to our vineyards over the season also ensured the vines had a balanced canopy. Moderate vine growth in the spring followed the timing of 2020 and 2021, but an early soil water deficit accelerated the timing of 2022 flowering, berry development, and fruit maturity. The season slowed slightly in late July and late August as a classic foggy morning/hot afternoon Napa Valley classic weather pattern took effect. In hindsight, these conditions were key to early fruit development and high levels of color and flavor while preserving their acidity.
Throughout the season, the precise canopy work by our vineyard team and strategic irrigation helped buffer the vines against the late summer heat. Additionally, routine use of shade cloth across our estates protected the fruit from direct sun exposure. Mature vines, a strong focus on soil health, and an early start to the season all contributed to exceptionally refined phenolics. Given the intensity of the season, we favored winemaking extraction techniques that were gentle. As a result, the textures are silky, round, and full-bodied. The wines are loaded with character, exuberance, and a sense of place. Although the 2022 harvest season had its challenges, the high potential set by early season conditions ensured that fruit was strikingly deep, with intense, captivating aromas. The resilience of our vineyards and the spirit of our team shine through in our 2022 vintage.

The 2021 "IX Estate" Syrah combines intensity with a touch of poetry. Captivating mineral and floral notes bring excitement upon first impressions, while juicy blackberry, licorice, and bouquet garni charm the senses. Silky layers of tannin embrace the palate with coating layers, in an unctuous textural experience. A long aromatic finish lingers with flavors of cocoa nib and wildflowers.

The 2019 growing season paralleled the moderate season of 2018, with several, key elements distinguishing it both at the beginning and the end. An abundance of rainfall came in the winter of 2019 and continued into early May. Vines thrived under such verdant growing conditions. Enhancing the airflow of the vine by spacing out the shoots and adjusting leaves in the late spring was an important yet laborious element for success in 2019. Nature yielded vines with an abundant crop, a result of the extra soil moisture and nutrients. We adjusted crop size using strict criteria for cluster thinning to bring the vines into balance.
A peaceful summer ensued, leading us into ideal ripening conditions throughout September. In early October, a sequence of very cold nights downshifted the pace of ripening, just as the days were shortening. Harvest took place during the middle two weeks of October. The cold nights and cooler days captured freshness, infusing intensity of both flavor and perfume into the wines. Seamless tannins and a strikingly gliding texture define the wines of the 2019 vintage. Though not lacking for structure, the wines are complete in their youth, making for undeniable, immediate enjoyment. Patience in the cellar will only highlight their soaring aromatics, as the palpable fruit integrates with the more subtle savory character.The 2019 growing season paralleled the moderate season of 2018, with several, key elements distinguishing it both at the beginning and the end. An abundance of rainfall came in the winter of 2019 and continued into early May. Vines thrived under such verdant growing conditions. Enhancing the airflow of the vine by spacing out the shoots and adjusting leaves in the late spring was an important yet laborious element for success in 2019. Nature yielded vines with an abundant crop, a result of the extra soil moisture and nutrients. We adjusted crop size using strict criteria for cluster thinning to bring the vines into balance.
A peaceful summer ensued, leading us into ideal ripening conditions throughout September. In early October, a sequence of very cold nights downshifted the pace of ripening, just as the days were shortening. Harvest took place during the middle two weeks of October. The cold nights and cooler days captured freshness, infusing intensity of both flavor and perfume into the wines. Seamless tannins and a strikingly gliding texture define the wines of the 2019 vintage. Though not lacking for structure, the wines are complete in their youth, making for undeniable, immediate enjoyment. Patience in the cellar will only highlight their soaring aromatics, as the palpable fruit integrates with the more subtle savory character.

The 2018 growing season in Napa Valley will be remembered for its mild weather throughout the year. The dormant season of winter, however, began with an unusually dry spell. Half of the rain we received did not arrive until after March 1st. A modest 20 inches in total, slightly below our average. By mid-April, the rains ceased and a contented season in the vineyard unfolded. Perhaps the biggest challenge to the entire season was the burgeoning grasses on the vineyard floor, a sign of the healthy soils.
Weather in May was cool, giving us moderate growth of the vines. A few sprinkles of rain occurred at the tail end, causing some flowers to shatter during bloom, resulting in looser clusters at harvest. Temperatures for the remainder of the season were incredibly mild. Much like 2013 and 2016, there was only 1 day over 100 degrees at the IX Estate for the entire year.
The first fruit was harvested the last week in September and was followed by a rain event in the first days of October. Drying winds coupled with our timely removal of leaves enhanced airflow around the clusters. After a one week pause, we began harvesting once again the second week of October. The photogenic clusters harvested in 2018 had dark blue plump berries rich in flavor.
The wines of this vintage are classic and pure, with a spectrum of flavor and are aromatically pixelated. They exhibit an intellectual character which displays distinct moods with time in the glass. Counter to some vintages, the 2018’s transform from savory aromatics into deeply fruity aromatics rather than vice versa. As they open, their well-defined, firm tannins evolve into a very full, velvety texture.

The 2017 vintage began with double the average rainfall in winter, refilling the water reserves, and delaying the beginning of the season. Warm weather in late April triggered a beautiful, rapid flowering, and an extended heat wave in late May forced vines to taper off growth and focus efforts on the berries. The summer of 2017 experienced a few, intense heat events, whose ultimate effect on our sites was to minimize the berry size and enhance concentration of the fruit. The balance between the canopy and the fruit in 2017 was unlike other years—the lusher than normal green shoots and leaves of springtime added extra protection to the crop during the frequent heat waves. Harvest began in the middle of September, with cold nights and sunny days, and continued at a rapid pace until its completion on October 6th.
In 2017, thoughtful decisions about canopy management, irrigation, crop thinning, and picking dates led us to craft wines that enhanced the strengths of this growing season, such as its aromatic complexity, greater natural acidity, and pleasurable structure—qualities that will guarantee a long evolution in bottle. In the near term, the wines of 2017 express an inward nature, yet they hold within them a resilient spirit.

The winter of 2016 began with steady rainfall, bringing small doses over the entire winter and ending with a very rainy beginning of March. Following a sequence of drought vintages beginning in 2012, the wet winter brought a final reprieve from dry conditions. Budbreak arrived shortly thereafter as vines began a season that restored balance to vine and soil health. Steady shoot growth followed in April, and warm weather took hold in May during the blooming period. This healthy start to the season was a blessing, but the incredible weather that followed in the summer and fall would become the story of the vintage. We began harvest under foggy conditions in the middle of September. The mild nature of the remainder of the season would serve to retain flavor nuances and accumulate heightened amounts of color in the grape skins. Fruit condition over the entirety of harvest was impeccable. Supple skinned berries bursting with flavor and color extracted to form wines of freshness and vibrancy with an intensely harmonious palate. The wines of the 2016 vintage are thrilling and multifaceted- every nuance of delectable fruit is matched by vivid notes of each distinctive terroir.The winter of 2016 began with steady rainfall, bringing small doses over the entire winter and ending with a very rainy beginning of March. Following a sequence of drought vintages beginning in 2012, the wet winter brought a final reprieve from dry conditions. Budbreak arrived shortly thereafter as vines began a season that restored balance to vine and soil health. Steady shoot growth followed in April, and warm weather took hold in May during the blooming period. This healthy start to the season was a blessing, but the incredible weather that followed in the summer and fall would become the story of the vintage. We began harvest under foggy conditions in the middle of September. The mild nature of the remainder of the season would serve to retain flavor nuances and accumulate heightened amounts of color in the grape skins. Fruit condition over the entirety of harvest was impeccable. Supple skinned berries bursting with flavor and color extracted to form wines of freshness and vibrancy with an intensely harmonious palate. The wines of the 2016 vintage are thrilling and multifaceted- every nuance of delectable fruit is matched by vivid notes of each distinctive terroir.

2015 continued the streak of exquisite vintages produced from the extended drought that began in 2013 in the Napa Valley. Much of the rain for the 2015 season came before winter even began. A long pause, until early February, followed, when a large storm came. These alternating wet and dry conditions, combined with a warm winter, led to an early budbreak at the beginning of March. A long, cool spring ensued, bringing sporadic growing conditions leading into bloom. Uneven weather during flowering led to very light clusters with few berries, delivering a small crop. What began as a challenge ultimately resulted in a blessing. The small crop with tiny berries ripened quickly over the warm summer and fall, bringing fruit with vivid color and exciting levels of flavor. We crafted the 2015 vintage with an emphasis on preserving the aromatic exuberance of the wines. The lush textures and inky color in the nascent wines guided us toward gentler extraction that would preserve the wine’s balance and let the energy shine through.2015 continued the streak of exquisite vintages produced from the extended drought that began in 2013 in the Napa Valley. Much of the rain for the 2015 season came before winter even began. A long pause, until early February, followed, when a large storm came. These alternating wet and dry conditions, combined with a warm winter, led to an early budbreak at the beginning of March. A long, cool spring ensued, bringing sporadic growing conditions leading into bloom. Uneven weather during flowering led to very light clusters with few berries, delivering a small crop. What began as a challenge ultimately resulted in a blessing. The small crop with tiny berries ripened quickly over the warm summer and fall, bringing fruit with vivid color and exciting levels of flavor. We crafted the 2015 vintage with an emphasis on preserving the aromatic exuberance of the wines. The lush textures and inky color in the nascent wines guided us toward gentler extraction that would preserve the wine’s balance and let the energy shine through.

The wines of 2014 have an immense sense of purity. The mild weather of the 2014 season produced wines with a sophistication that beautifully balances elegance with true power. The superbly delineated flavors are both fresh and fully ripe. A harmonious quality is apparent in the suave texture of these wines. The 2014 vintage seductively draws you in, then piques your curiosity, and keeps you returning repeatedly for more. Following the unseasonably dry 2013 vintage, 2014 began with one of the driest Januarys in recent history. It was not until February that we received the bulk of our wet weather. Despite all the references to a drought, perhaps what made an even bigger imprint on the 2014 season was the warmth we experienced throughout the winter. As both factors combined, we began one of the earliest growing seasons since 2005. As spring and summer unfolded, we saw marginally warmer temperatures all year long, yet we experienced very few heat waves. The vines set a beautiful crop, and it was no surprise that 2014 led to one of our earliest harvests, beginning on August 29. Berries were plump and fresh as they were harvested. As the wines evolved in the cellar, we observed how their flavors spanned a broad spectrum—from powerful, dark fruits, to classic and subtle Napa Valley herbal and earth notes, reminiscent of an earlier era. With their silky textures developing over the course of the fermentation, we extracted the wines using longer, slower macerations, adding to their nuance and length. 2014 stands apart from its predecessors in that it captures the supple, dense qualities of a warm vintage, married with the perfumed characteristics of a cooler vintage. Such qualities harken back to exemplary vintages like 2005, and even further back to the age-worthy 1995.The wines of 2014 have an immense sense of purity. The mild weather of the 2014 season produced wines with a sophistication that beautifully balances elegance with true power. The superbly delineated flavors are both fresh and fully ripe. A harmonious quality is apparent in the suave texture of these wines. The 2014 vintage seductively draws you in, then piques your curiosity, and keeps you returning repeatedly for more. Following the unseasonably dry 2013 vintage, 2014 began with one of the driest Januarys in recent history. It was not until February that we received the bulk of our wet weather. Despite all the references to a drought, perhaps what made an even bigger imprint on the 2014 season was the warmth we experienced throughout the winter. As both factors combined, we began one of the earliest growing seasons since 2005. As spring and summer unfolded, we saw marginally warmer temperatures all year long, yet we experienced very few heat waves. The vines set a beautiful crop, and it was no surprise that 2014 led to one of our earliest harvests, beginning on August 29. Berries were plump and fresh as they were harvested. As the wines evolved in the cellar, we observed how their flavors spanned a broad spectrum—from powerful, dark fruits, to classic and subtle Napa Valley herbal and earth notes, reminiscent of an earlier era. With their silky textures developing over the course of the fermentation, we extracted the wines using longer, slower macerations, adding to their nuance and length. 2014 stands apart from its predecessors in that it captures the supple, dense qualities of a warm vintage, married with the perfumed characteristics of a cooler vintage. Such qualities harken back to exemplary vintages like 2005, and even further back to the age-worthy 1995.

With the ideal blend of cool and warm weather at the right time, the 2013 growing season gave us perfectly ripened fruit, with purely preserved flavors, and inky grape skins. What was somewhat atypical about 2013 was the rainfall pattern, as we were in our second year of a drought. All of our winter rain fell in late 2012 and a small amount in January. Beyond January, we had no rain, yet the weather, as it relates to temperature and fog patterns, was absolutely magical. With a classically timed budbreak to start the season, then gorgeous warm weather during bloom, the vines set a homogenous and fruitful crop—an ideal setup to harvest. In a sense, the 2013 season was “made to order.” By mid-September, we reached a holding pattern of sunny and mild weather. By that point, the berries had attained an unbelievable intensity of flavor, color, and delicious tannin. The 2013 vintage was one that tested our courage to pick early rather than our patience to ripen the fruit longer. That same fortitude and self-restraint carried into the winemaking. With fruit so rich in flavor and texture, we found the wines extracted very effortlessly, and thus the balance between power and elegance in the 2013 vintage was achieved with shorter macerations in the cellar.With the ideal blend of cool and warm weather at the right time, the 2013 growing season gave us perfectly ripened fruit, with purely preserved flavors, and inky grape skins. What was somewhat atypical about 2013 was the rainfall pattern, as we were in our second year of a drought. All of our winter rain fell in late 2012 and a small amount in January. Beyond January, we had no rain, yet the weather, as it relates to temperature and fog patterns, was absolutely magical. With a classically timed budbreak to start the season, then gorgeous warm weather during bloom, the vines set a homogenous and fruitful crop—an ideal setup to harvest. In a sense, the 2013 season was “made to order.” By mid-September, we reached a holding pattern of sunny and mild weather. By that point, the berries had attained an unbelievable intensity of flavor, color, and delicious tannin. The 2013 vintage was one that tested our courage to pick early rather than our patience to ripen the fruit longer. That same fortitude and self-restraint carried into the winemaking. With fruit so rich in flavor and texture, we found the wines extracted very effortlessly, and thus the balance between power and elegance in the 2013 vintage was achieved with shorter macerations in the cellar.

The 2012 season was classic in nature, as it was quite temperate and long. The season began with moderate rainfall, much of which fell during early March. Budbreak began the first week of April, and a few, small rain events occurred, helping to nurture the soil. By mid-May, we began a steady cycle of gorgeous weather. Great weather at bloom is a significant bellwether for many great vintages. The climatic conditions were so ideal that the vines set quite a healthy crop. As summer evolved, we began meticulously removing excess fruit to ensure the highest level of quality. A textbook August and September followed, with few heat events. Harvest commenced in mid-September and continued steadily for the next month. The wines were crafted with a keen sense of preserving freshness and capturing the distinct flavors and textures of this sensational vintage. The resulting wines are incredibly appealing as they contain exceptional intensity and a lovely, seductive opulence.

There is enormous beauty to be found in the 2011 vintage. With a wet start to the season, we had a significant advantage in that each of our sites is planted on hillsides with well-draining, rocky soils. Given the wet spring, we experienced one of our latest blooms on record, in June. The summer followed with relatively mild temperatures during which we worked diligently in the vineyard to reduce the canopy and bring the vines into balance. At veraison in late August, we removed enough clusters to ensure a consistent, even ripening. We began our harvest the final week in September and picked virtually all of our Merlot and Syrah in this period. We picked the Cabernet Sauvignon the second half of October and our conscientious team ensured only the most pristine berries were sorted into the fermentation tanks. The wines were made with a slightly more delicate hand in order to capture their freshness and respect the fruit. The resulting wines of the 2011 vintage are brilliantly aromatic. They have round tannin and are bolstered by a bright, balanced level of acidity. The flavors of each site truly stand out in this vintage, and the quality of the wines is a testament to the quality of the sites upon which they are grown.There is enormous beauty to be found in the 2011 vintage. With a wet start to the season, we had a significant advantage in that each of our sites is planted on hillsides with well-draining, rocky soils. Given the wet spring, we experienced one of our latest blooms on record, in June. The summer followed with relatively mild temperatures during which we worked diligently in the vineyard to reduce the canopy and bring the vines into balance. At veraison in late August, we removed enough clusters to ensure a consistent, even ripening. We began our harvest the final week in September and picked virtually all of our Merlot and Syrah in this period. We picked the Cabernet Sauvignon the second half of October and our conscientious team ensured only the most pristine berries were sorted into the fermentation tanks. The wines were made with a slightly more delicate hand in order to capture their freshness and respect the fruit. The resulting wines of the 2011 vintage are brilliantly aromatic. They have round tannin and are bolstered by a bright, balanced level of acidity. The flavors of each site truly stand out in this vintage, and the quality of the wines is a testament to the quality of the sites upon which they are grown.

The 2010 growing season in Napa Valley was cooler in nature. The season started off about 10 days behind average due to cooler temperatures and periods of rainfall in April and May. Because of the late spring, the vines grew rapidly in May and June, making it imperative to work efficiently on the vine canopies to taper off the growth and bring balance to the vine. Mother nature brought her own balance to the vine as well by creating less crop. The summer brought moderate temperatures until August, when we experienced many days with dense, foggy mornings. The heat returned in late August and the season began to catch up. We were incredibly blessed to receive sunny, warm weather into September and October. Because of the cooler weather and later harvest, the grapes were harvested with wonderful levels of acidity and vividly preserved flavors. In the 2010 vintage, the longer maturation resulted in wines with rich tannins and excellent structure.The 2010 growing season in Napa Valley was cooler in nature. The season started off about 10 days behind average due to cooler temperatures and periods of rainfall in April and May. Because of the late spring, the vines grew rapidly in May and June, making it imperative to work efficiently on the vine canopies to taper off the growth and bring balance to the vine. Mother nature brought her own balance to the vine as well by creating less crop. The summer brought moderate temperatures until August, when we experienced many days with dense, foggy mornings. The heat returned in late August and the season began to catch up. We were incredibly blessed to receive sunny, warm weather into September and October. Because of the cooler weather and later harvest, the grapes were harvested with wonderful levels of acidity and vividly preserved flavors. In the 2010 vintage, the longer maturation resulted in wines with rich tannins and excellent structure.

The 2009 vintage was one characterized by balance. Budbreak started right on schedule in mid-March. Though we had only received about two-thirds of our normal rainfall over the winter, we were fortunate to have a few, small rain events in April and May, which would tide the vines over through the beginning of summer. A fairly classic weather pattern set in over the summertime. We experienced only a few days of heat over 100 degrees, which was followed by our traditional fog pattern coming in from the bay. The fog continued through much of August, which lengthened the early maturation stage of the fruit, giving ample time for the vines to create fruit deep in pigment and complex in flavor. Several small heat events in September rounded out the flavor and tannin development, allowing us to begin picking the Merlot and Syrah. Gorgeous, mild weather the first week of October provided perfect conditions for ripening the Cabernet, which we picked steadily through the middle of the month. We finished harvest just before the cold and wet weather hit on October 13. The wines of this vintage are inky in color, fresh in flavor, and have incredibly silky and approachable tannins.The 2009 vintage was one characterized by balance. Budbreak started right on schedule in mid-March. Though we had only received about two-thirds of our normal rainfall over the winter, we were fortunate to have a few, small rain events in April and May, which would tide the vines over through the beginning of summer. A fairly classic weather pattern set in over the summertime. We experienced only a few days of heat over 100 degrees, which was followed by our traditional fog pattern coming in from the bay. The fog continued through much of August, which lengthened the early maturation stage of the fruit, giving ample time for the vines to create fruit deep in pigment and complex in flavor. Several small heat events in September rounded out the flavor and tannin development, allowing us to begin picking the Merlot and Syrah. Gorgeous, mild weather the first week of October provided perfect conditions for ripening the Cabernet, which we picked steadily through the middle of the month. We finished harvest just before the cold and wet weather hit on October 13. The wines of this vintage are inky in color, fresh in flavor, and have incredibly silky and approachable tannins.

The 2008 vintage was shaped by the La Niña weather pattern. We experienced just 60% of our average rainfall in the Napa Valley, where most of that rain came in the wintertime, and tapered off in mid-March. Because of the dry spring, the dry soils prompted the vines to push their growth earlier than usual. This would set the stage for the remainder of the season. With a dry spring, the vines naturally produced less fruit than average during bloom in May. Several heat events in the summer sped up the season but also helped to bring uniformity to the ripeness of the fruit, causing the berries to change color simultaneously. A heat wave at the beginning of September started the harvest off fast and furiously with Merlot and Syrah. Soon, the weather cooled off, allowing the Cabernet to ripen slowly, and be picked at the end of September. Crops were quite tiny, but the results are wines with great structure and concentration.

The 2007 vintage was defined by an exceptional growing season from beginning to end. The Napa Valley received just 60% of normal rainfall, encouraging our vines to begin budbreak a week ahead of schedule. A mild spring followed, with several light rains that helped the vines to cope with the mild drought. Sunny, beautiful weather during bloom resulted in fruitful clusters that were uniform in size and maturity. A wonderfully moderate summer followed, with cooler than average temperatures, allowing for slow, even development of the berries. By late August, the berries were intensely pigmented and showing signs of outstanding quality. A brief heat wave around Labor Day resulted in our earliest picking of Merlot ever at Colgin. But, cool weather soon followed, allowing the Cabernet to mature longer, and to develop ripe tannins, at lower sugar levels, with great natural acidity. Overall, the 2007 vintage was truly a winemaker’s dream. The wines are defined by their intense color, their deep aromatics, and their coating and supple tannins.

The 2006 vintage began a bit slower than the average year. With a wetter winter, soils took longer to dry out, and vines began to wake up in April, several weeks later than usual. By early June, vines were making up time thanks to a beautifully moderate spring. A heat wave in July helped signal to the vines that summer had arrived, telling them to slow their growth, and begin the focus on ripening their fruit. A beautiful summer followed, and warmer temperatures in October helped to develop intense color and ripe, soft tannins. The wines of the 2006 vintage are all defined by their bright aromatics, fresh acidities, and great balance.

Typical, winter rains halted early, leaving a dry, mild March, but spring rains returned, with frequency, through June, delaying the fruit set. The summer was temperate, with few heat events, yielding one of the most bountiful crops since 1997. Thinning was key to achieve ripeness and flavor development. Mild days and cool nights continued after veraison, allowing ample time for flavor development. The wines of the 2005 vintage display elegant richness and impeccably balanced acidities.Typical, winter rains halted early, leaving a dry, mild March, but spring rains returned, with frequency, through June, delaying the fruit set. The summer was temperate, with few heat events, yielding one of the most bountiful crops since 1997. Thinning was key to achieve ripeness and flavor development. Mild days and cool nights continued after veraison, allowing ample time for flavor development. The wines of the 2005 vintage display elegant richness and impeccably balanced acidities.

The 2004 vintage will be remembered for its early growing season. Warm yet even summer weather was bracketed by an early spring bud break and several, late summer heat events, creating conditions that allowed for one of the earliest harvests in nearly a decade. The fruit bears the imprint of that early spring, and a slow and steady maturation, which concluded with a fast, hot finish, resulting in wines with impeccable intensity.The 2004 vintage will be remembered for its early growing season. Warm yet even summer weather was bracketed by an early spring bud break and several, late summer heat events, creating conditions that allowed for one of the earliest harvests in nearly a decade. The fruit bears the imprint of that early spring, and a slow and steady maturation, which concluded with a fast, hot finish, resulting in wines with impeccable intensity.

The unpredictable nature of the 2003 growing season began with a series of heat events in March, proceeded by a wet April. A long, cool summer allowed a beautiful evolution of flavor in the fruit, ahead of sugar accumulation. Heat returned in September, spurring harvest forward after many expected a late year. The 2003 vintage emerged with tremendous character and longevity after several challenges.The unpredictable nature of the 2003 growing season began with a series of heat events in March, proceeded by a wet April. A long, cool summer allowed a beautiful evolution of flavor in the fruit, ahead of sugar accumulation. Heat returned in September, spurring harvest forward after many expected a late year. The 2003 vintage emerged with tremendous character and longevity after several challenges.

The 2002 vintage will be remembered by a lengthy and mild growing season, followed by warm weather near the end of September that encouraged ripening and condensed the harvest. An early April frost and May rains gave way to a moderate summer with ideal growing conditions—warm days and cool, or even cold nights. Overall, the crop was balanced, showing vibrant, intense colors, and flavor concentration.