Harvest in West Paso: the Colossus of Rhones at Gill.

The Syrah leaves turn color before the grapes are ready to pick.  The sugar levels, and consequent alcohols, may seem very high, but the acid levels maintain into the high 20s and sometimes higher.  Flavors are also not fully developed at 'normal' levels, and the seeds aren't lignified yet.  A cool year like 2011 gave us wine with an alcohol of 16.5%, probably as low as we'll see absent the threat of another typhoon!

Already picked:  Verdejo, Viognier, Zinfandel (Dusi and Primitivo clones), Tempranillo, and Tannat, as well as Grenache Blanc and Syrah, Mourvedre, and Grenache for pink.
Still to go: Vermentino, Pinot Noir, Counoise, Alicante Bouschet, Syrah, Petite Sirah, and a surprise or three.  Most but not all of these are in West Paso.