Recent content by russell briggs

How surreal to see Grgich Hills and Phelps, whipping boys in my vinous youth for much of what was coming out of CA as bland, corporate and in some cases ridiculously overpriced wines, now being mentioned in a thread on biodynamie.

Excellent stuff to know. Thanks!

Anyone know aught about this grape? I opened a very nice Gaillac Blanc last night, from Rotier, and was surprised to find it was predominately from this variety. Nice lip-smacking acidity, like a softer Sauvignon Blanc, and a definite minerally, stony aspect. Quite light on its feet for a...

Wall-E was, indeed, really, really good!

Catching up a little late here, but as Neil Armstrong once said: "Jesus H. Christ in a chicken basket." That's all I got. Battle it and beat it, Joe. Don't know many others as tough as you, so I got me some (Marxist) faith. Your friend, Russell

Nathan, the wine is already 10 years old, so I've passed the early-drinking window anyway. Given that, just wondering whether I should pop it now or give it another decade, just for the hell of it. Now, of course, I'm intrigued, but this is tempered by Jeff Connell's dire warning... --Russell...

Right. Hold. Gotcha.

"The dark, burnished coppery gold color with a watery rim would throw off any sensible blind taster. Then there''s the assaultive nose of aspirin, chalk, pear rind, and mint toothpaste. The chalky, woody pear, cedar, and mushroom cave palate turns to a lingering, spicy finish that leaves one the...

I've got a lone bottle of a Joe's Special: 98 TB Pinot Gris, Demi-Sec. It's actually the last Dressnerwine in my cellar, sadly. But I know nothing about it. When should I drink it? Now? Next year? Ten years from now? Fifty? Five years ago? Oh, the Disorder of not knowing...

I'll second a vote for the '80 Pepe. Not the stuff of the '85, but fascinating nonetheless...

Did you buy the bowls from the ruggedy looking guy at the Saturday market in Nelson? If so, that was Kemp, my neighbor at the time. Ridiculously talented with a lathe and chisel...I've use one of his silver beech big salad bowls almost every night for 6 years now and it still looks like the day...

I'd have to add that, although my Bonneau experience is limited, the 2-3 times I've had the 92 Celestins, I thought each time that it was the best CdP I'd ever tasted, and that includes a boatload of 89 Beaucastel, etc.

Eden, I see you're still giving the love to the Aguni Island salt. I'm almost at the bottom of my bag...need a re-up, mos def. (Sorry, been watching The Wire...)

Thanks Graeme. Great notes; I'll have to keep my eye out for that Vidal Reserve Syrah. I've had some 7-8 year old Esk Valley Chenin and it's aging very well. perhaps a notch down from the Millton, but still good, lots of lanolin and creamy/waxy textures developing. I'm a fan of the 02 Le Sol...

Love the note on the Pieropan Soave. If I had more cellar space, more patience, and more presence of mind, I'd love a couple cases of this (and its ilk), all 10-years+ in age...