@NuttingBumpus —> I got to try a single Claygate from a graft this year, and I really liked it. I’ll probably bench graft one this year even though I really don’t want to plant any more trees (too many to keep up on already).
We are in different growing zones (I’m in Ohio), but I picked mine a solid month after yours. I suspected at the time that was a little late, and it affected it’s crispness but also might have made it sweeter.
Here’s what I wrote about it:
Also, I bought a 10 lb bag of Goldrush apples from the local orchard/market a week ago. I was suprised they measure only 15-16 brix because they are fantastic. They must have mellowed a bit and taste sweeter. This particular market makes their own cider blend which is delicious and very popular around here. What’s interesting is that they will also make a batch of cider out of only Goldrush apples. The blended cider is honestly better, but it’s impressive that the Goldrush cider, which is made from only one variety of apple, is almost as good.