TN: recent drinking (late summer 2021)

originally posted by Jim Hanlon:
originally posted by Oswaldo Costa:
originally posted by scottreiner:
Tasted with Alex Kraus at Birichino in Santa Cruz last week. I really like what they are doing now.

So many delicios pet nats, especialy the 2020 Grenache Pet Nat Besson, 2020 Cinsault Pet Nat, and the 2020 Malvasia Bianco Pet Nat (no skin contact).

The 2020 Central Coast PN is amazing for the money.

The 2019 Scylla blend (Cinsault, Mourvedre, Grenache) is a steal at $20!

The 2019 Old Vines Mourvedre is rich and alive, very balanced.

The 2019 Boer PN is very different from their efforts of the past. Rusty Piedmont notes. Delicious. In fact, all the 'Single Vineyard' offerings are well worth the tab.

The aforementioned Cabernet, and its Chardonnay sister, both from grapes sourced from Mt Eden, are amazing in ways that would be appreciated by those gathered here. Old-school wines, also very well priced in comparison to the competition.

Given a choice between 2019 Birichino Old Vines Grenache Besson Vineyard and 2019 Birichino Cinsault Bechthold Vineyard Lodi, which would you choose?

Cinsault every time.

ditto
 
originally posted by Jim Hanlon:

Given a choice between 2019 Birichino Old Vines Grenache Besson Vineyard and 2019 Birichino Cinsault Bechthold Vineyard Lodi, which would you choose?

Cinsault every time.[/quote]

I've had it and it is great.
 
Had the 2019 Birichino Cinsault Bechthold Vineyard Lodi 12.5% tonight and it was indeed lovely, so we thank the knowing for the nudge.

The claim on the back label that Bechtold -- 25 acres of ungrafted vines planted in 1886 -- is the "oldest plantation of Cinsault on Earth" certainly impresses, if it is fully believed. Who'd-a-thot.
 
originally posted by Oswaldo Costa:
Not to be confused with Bertold BrechtHad the 2019 Birichino Cinsault Bechthold Vineyard Lodi 12.5% tonight and it was indeed lovely, so we thank the knowing for the nudge.
Glad you like it.

The claim on the back label that Bechtold -- 25 acres of ungrafted vines planted in 1886 -- is the "oldest plantation of Cinsault on Earth" certainly impresses, if it is fully believed. Who'd-a-thot.
A little benign neglect goes a long way....
 
originally posted by Oswaldo Costa:
Not to be confused with Bertold BrechtHad the 2019 Birichino Cinsault Bechthold Vineyard Lodi 12.5% tonight and it was indeed lovely, so we thank the knowing for the nudge.

The claim on the back label that Bechtold -- 25 acres of ungrafted vines planted in 1886 -- is the "oldest plantation of Cinsault on Earth" certainly impresses, if it is fully believed. Who'd-a-thot.

That’s at least a credible claim as that dates it from the beginning of the time when European vineyards were being replanted with grafted vines.

Mark Lipton
 
originally posted by Jim Hanlon:
originally posted by Oswaldo Costa:
originally posted by scottreiner:
Tasted with Alex Kraus at Birichino in Santa Cruz last week. I really like what they are doing now.

So many delicios pet nats, especialy the 2020 Grenache Pet Nat Besson, 2020 Cinsault Pet Nat, and the 2020 Malvasia Bianco Pet Nat (no skin contact).

The 2020 Central Coast PN is amazing for the money.

The 2019 Scylla blend (Cinsault, Mourvedre, Grenache) is a steal at $20!

The 2019 Old Vines Mourvedre is rich and alive, very balanced.

The 2019 Boer PN is very different from their efforts of the past. Rusty Piedmont notes. Delicious. In fact, all the 'Single Vineyard' offerings are well worth the tab.

The aforementioned Cabernet, and its Chardonnay sister, both from grapes sourced from Mt Eden, are amazing in ways that would be appreciated by those gathered here. Old-school wines, also very well priced in comparison to the competition.

Given a choice between 2019 Birichino Old Vines Grenache Besson Vineyard and 2019 Birichino Cinsault Bechthold Vineyard Lodi, which would you choose?

Cinsault every time.

I have a preference for the Grenache, but they're both good.
 
originally posted by VLM:
originally posted by Jim Hanlon:
originally posted by Oswaldo Costa:
originally posted by scottreiner:
Tasted with Alex Kraus at Birichino in Santa Cruz last week. I really like what they are doing now.

So many delicios pet nats, especialy the 2020 Grenache Pet Nat Besson, 2020 Cinsault Pet Nat, and the 2020 Malvasia Bianco Pet Nat (no skin contact).

The 2020 Central Coast PN is amazing for the money.

The 2019 Scylla blend (Cinsault, Mourvedre, Grenache) is a steal at $20!

The 2019 Old Vines Mourvedre is rich and alive, very balanced.

The 2019 Boer PN is very different from their efforts of the past. Rusty Piedmont notes. Delicious. In fact, all the 'Single Vineyard' offerings are well worth the tab.

The aforementioned Cabernet, and its Chardonnay sister, both from grapes sourced from Mt Eden, are amazing in ways that would be appreciated by those gathered here. Old-school wines, also very well priced in comparison to the competition.

Given a choice between 2019 Birichino Old Vines Grenache Besson Vineyard and 2019 Birichino Cinsault Bechthold Vineyard Lodi, which would you choose?

Cinsault every time.

I have a preference for the Grenache, but they're both good.

Piqued by this and remembering that Grenache, after all, does bring us Rayas, last night we opened a 2018 Birichino Besson Vineyard Old Vines Grenache 13,5%. Very elegant, despite the extra 1%, which may or may not have manifested as a peppery ting-a-ling. While the Cinsault's gorgeous aroma lorded over the mouthfeel, here the two (the aroma being no slouch) seemed in perfect sync. Two wines do not a Spring make, but these guys seem to know how to avoid both make-up and flaws, producing stuff that seems crystalline and varietally true. No oakiness here, for sure.

Compared to the Cinsault, the (also ungrafted) vines here are youngsters: planted in 1910. Seriously, centenarian source material, plentiful enough to make the wines cost relatively little, in the hands of apparently very able winemakers, equals treasure.
 
originally posted by Oswaldo Costa:

Piqued by this and remembering that Grenache, after all, does bring us Rayas, last night we opened

This resolves my indecision regarding tonight's dinner wine. Going with a Pinot which, after all, does bring us DRC.
 
originally posted by Pavel Tchichikov:
originally posted by Oswaldo Costa:

Piqued by this and remembering that Grenache, after all, does bring us Rayas, last night we opened

This resolves my indecision regarding tonight's dinner wine. Going with a Pinot which, after all, does bring us DRC.

Enjoy your Kosta Browne! That's a killer wine, bro!
 
originally posted by Pavel Tchichikov:
originally posted by Oswaldo Costa:

Piqued by this and remembering that Grenache, after all, does bring us Rayas, last night we opened

This resolves my indecision regarding tonight's dinner wine. Going with a Pinot which, after all, does bring us DRC.

Didn't know you thought Pinot's street cred was suffering as much as Grenache's.
 
originally posted by Florida Jim:
Are you referring to the Martin Ray Vnyd. Cab. and Chard.?
I got several bottles of the Chardonnay and the first two were pretty oaky. Suave but oaky. I put the rest in the back of the cellar to see what they turn into but, at $50plus, I probably will just stick with Chablis from now on.
Best, jim

Two days ago we had the 2016 Birichino Santa Inez Valley Jurassic Park Vineyard Chenin Blanc 12.5% (screwcap, yay!) and it was quite lovely and showed no oak, so worth a try (though perhaps needing a smidgen of acidity).

Then last night we opened a 2020 Central Coast Saint Georges Pinot Noir 13.0%, also worth a try (thanks, Scott). Raspberry jam aromas with a very light lactic note. But ultra-juicy and savory, with titillating acidity. Unoaked.
 
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