Jeff,
I'm so glad I finally joined and was able to read through your whole thread this evening with only brief interruptions from son #2, Jackson, who turns three weeks old on Thursday. A neighbor took my out for cigars a week ago and we decided to bring along a bottle to enjoy and I ended up picking a 2007 Hodder Hill, which incidentally was the year my first son was born and tasted fantastic!
There is a ton of great information in this thread. I always thought Merlot was rather easy to grow, now I know that's not the case. One question for you - when you are making your blends, do you try and produce a similar blend in taste and style as prior years or just making the best with what each season gives you? Also, since you are making in essence a Bordeaux blend do you try to model it after a particular region (Pommerol and St. Emillion come to mind)?
Thanks and keep up the good work!
-Troy