Florida Jim
Florida Jim
2012 Cowan Cellars, Ribolla Gialla - skin-fermented to dry; showing spice, fresh stone fruit and more volume than at release. Absolutely no signs of fade. This wine has gone through periods of better/worse but never shut down. And it is open and giving now.
2018 Louis Michel, Chablis - we have been through multiple bottles of this and enjoyed them all. Of its place, crystal clear flavors, etched acids and fair depth for a village wine. I believe it will gain weight with time but it probably won’t get much - we drink this while the premier and grand crus gather dust.
2012 Cowan Cellars, Pinot Noir Anderson Valley - structured but open and much more typical of its AVA than my ‘13 or ‘14. Finesse but intense and subtle in angular ways. Reminds me of Pommard or Corton in its structure but is more feminine in delivery.
2018 Barbacan, Rosso di Valtellina - I don’t know that I have had a more complete young Nebbiolo; just a joy to smell and sip. Perfect balance, beautifully shaped and the essence of the grape. That said, great aged Barolo will deliver more complexity but, since I don’t have the time to give it, this will do nicely.
2018 Dom. Pierre Richard, Cotes de Jura Poulsard - Diane’s favorite wine right now; a light, intense, crisp thing with freshness and minerality. Goes with almost anything we eat and can be drunk without food easily. How I do love the Jura!
2018 Herve Souhaut, Syrah - medium weight, more finessed than most Syrah I drink, nicely complex and a texture that reminds me of washed silk. But it’s the complexity that stands out here. Diane says it’s a little sweet for her but I’ve found that several whole cluster wines have given her that impression. Tasted dandy to me.
2018 Bendicte and Stephan Tissot, Arbois Trousseau Singulier - I drink this variety from several different areas, including CA, but none compare to the balance and clarity of this wine; truly singular among its peers. The fruit concentration alone is compelling; the structure almost hidden. And there is no unevenness here, even at this young age. A mouthful of wine worth its elevated price.
1992 Fieldstone, Port - all Petite Sirah and purchased on release. Mature, full and tasty but without development. I’m aware of exceptions but, Petite Sirah lasts but doesn’t develop over the years and so, becomes ponderous. And 19% alcohol wines aren’t my thing.
2011 and 2015 Cowan Cellars, Syrah Bennett Valley - the ‘11 is “younger,” slightly disjointed and takes decanter time to knit. Both are typical of Bennett Valley (which for me is more cold climate than not) and both are under 14% abv. The ‘15 also shows young but is of a piece; no edges, plenty of savory and excellent balance. Long term, I think these will both make old bones - and I look forward to following them.
2011 Colpetrone, Sagrantino di Montefalco - tannic . . . solid fruit flavors, enough development to show some complexity and excellent with heavier food. Tannic.
2019 Jadot, Macon-Villages - The best QPR Chardonnay in the market today. Viscosity with cut, ripe flavors with sustain, beautiful textures and even some depth. I happened upon this by chance in a grocery store and now buy it by the case. Joyful wine, very well made.
2011 Cowan Cellars, Isa Lake County - Sauvignon Blanc, skin-fermented to dry. Since release, this wine has been all over the lot; at times too green, too tannic, too tight, etc. These days, it has shed its green yet still has an herbaceous note, integrated the tannin and become more generous. This will never be a mainstream wine but, at ten, it is a welcome change. Still Diane’s favorite wine I made.
Best, jim
2018 Louis Michel, Chablis - we have been through multiple bottles of this and enjoyed them all. Of its place, crystal clear flavors, etched acids and fair depth for a village wine. I believe it will gain weight with time but it probably won’t get much - we drink this while the premier and grand crus gather dust.
2012 Cowan Cellars, Pinot Noir Anderson Valley - structured but open and much more typical of its AVA than my ‘13 or ‘14. Finesse but intense and subtle in angular ways. Reminds me of Pommard or Corton in its structure but is more feminine in delivery.
2018 Barbacan, Rosso di Valtellina - I don’t know that I have had a more complete young Nebbiolo; just a joy to smell and sip. Perfect balance, beautifully shaped and the essence of the grape. That said, great aged Barolo will deliver more complexity but, since I don’t have the time to give it, this will do nicely.
2018 Dom. Pierre Richard, Cotes de Jura Poulsard - Diane’s favorite wine right now; a light, intense, crisp thing with freshness and minerality. Goes with almost anything we eat and can be drunk without food easily. How I do love the Jura!
2018 Herve Souhaut, Syrah - medium weight, more finessed than most Syrah I drink, nicely complex and a texture that reminds me of washed silk. But it’s the complexity that stands out here. Diane says it’s a little sweet for her but I’ve found that several whole cluster wines have given her that impression. Tasted dandy to me.
2018 Bendicte and Stephan Tissot, Arbois Trousseau Singulier - I drink this variety from several different areas, including CA, but none compare to the balance and clarity of this wine; truly singular among its peers. The fruit concentration alone is compelling; the structure almost hidden. And there is no unevenness here, even at this young age. A mouthful of wine worth its elevated price.
1992 Fieldstone, Port - all Petite Sirah and purchased on release. Mature, full and tasty but without development. I’m aware of exceptions but, Petite Sirah lasts but doesn’t develop over the years and so, becomes ponderous. And 19% alcohol wines aren’t my thing.
2011 and 2015 Cowan Cellars, Syrah Bennett Valley - the ‘11 is “younger,” slightly disjointed and takes decanter time to knit. Both are typical of Bennett Valley (which for me is more cold climate than not) and both are under 14% abv. The ‘15 also shows young but is of a piece; no edges, plenty of savory and excellent balance. Long term, I think these will both make old bones - and I look forward to following them.
2011 Colpetrone, Sagrantino di Montefalco - tannic . . . solid fruit flavors, enough development to show some complexity and excellent with heavier food. Tannic.
2019 Jadot, Macon-Villages - The best QPR Chardonnay in the market today. Viscosity with cut, ripe flavors with sustain, beautiful textures and even some depth. I happened upon this by chance in a grocery store and now buy it by the case. Joyful wine, very well made.
2011 Cowan Cellars, Isa Lake County - Sauvignon Blanc, skin-fermented to dry. Since release, this wine has been all over the lot; at times too green, too tannic, too tight, etc. These days, it has shed its green yet still has an herbaceous note, integrated the tannin and become more generous. This will never be a mainstream wine but, at ten, it is a welcome change. Still Diane’s favorite wine I made.
Best, jim
