CWD: What did you drink last night (or whenever)?

[MLipton]

Not really a “thank god” wine since there were some other decent choices, but the 2019 Vajra Langhe Rosso was a delight last night, a really lovely rendition of young vine Nebbiolo, lush red cherry fruit, medium bodied with smooth tannins and good acidic grip. Had I been blinded on this and asked what grape it was, I *think* I would have guessed Nebbiolo but hard to know for sure.

Mark Lipton

 

[Peter Creasey]

Clos l'Eglise Cotes de Castillon '00 -- Inky dark, lots of sediment, quite fragrant, very full and dense on palate in a rather simplistic way, tannins largely resolved, true to Merlot style, good length, plenty of life left. [E] Fine example of the quality of the 2000 vintage.

Excellent pairing with grilled strip steak dinner.

. . . . . . Pete

 

[mark e]

originally posted by MLipton:
Not really a “thank god” wine since there were some other decent choices, but the 2019 Vajra Langhe Rosso was a delight last night, a really lovely rendition of young vine Nebbiolo, lush red cherry fruit, medium bodied with smooth tannins and good acidic grip. Had I been blinded on this and asked what grape it was, I *think* I would have guessed Nebbiolo but hard to know for sure.

Mark Lipton

In 2020 the Vajra Langhe rosso was DOLCETTO 25%, NEBBIOLO 30%, BARBERA 35%, ALBAROSSA 5%, FREISA 5% - not 100% sure of the percentages the year before.

 

[MLipton]

originally posted by mark e:

originally posted by MLipton:
Not really a “thank god” wine since there were some other decent choices, but the 2019 Vajra Langhe Rosso was a delight last night, a really lovely rendition of young vine Nebbiolo, lush red cherry fruit, medium bodied with smooth tannins and good acidic grip. Had I been blinded on this and asked what grape it was, I *think* I would have guessed Nebbiolo but hard to know for sure.

Mark Lipton

In 2020 the Vajra Langhe rosso was DOLCETTO 25%, NEBBIOLO 30%, BARBERA 35%, ALBAROSSA 5%, FREISA 5% - not 100% sure of the percentages the year before.

Ah, thanks for the explanation, Mark. That makes so much sense. I’d just assumed that it was just declassified Barolo grapes going into this, but your blend comports much closer with what I was getting in the glass. As we used to say in grad school, “two weeks in the lab will save you an hour in the library”

Mark Lipton

 

[Oswaldo Costa]

originally posted by Jim Hanlon:
2019 Mayr Nusserhof Blatterle: You have to be in the mood for this wine, but if you are then it's very satisfying. No fruit to speak of, at least for my palate. Nuts and minerals, but not spoiled nuts. So dry. I don't need to drink this wine very often, and I'd be very hesitant about who I shared it with, but I'm glad I can spend time with it every now and then and that it's in the world.

I really like this way of approaching/conceptualizing a wine. And some Nüsserhofs can be tough love when young, so this kind of adjustment/handicapping can be helpful, even essential.

 

[Ian Fitzsimmons]

originally posted by MLipton:
Not really a “thank god” wine since there were some other decent choices, but the 2019 Vajra Langhe Rosso was a delight last night, a really lovely rendition of young vine Nebbiolo, lush red cherry fruit, medium bodied with smooth tannins and good acidic grip. Had I been blinded on this and asked what grape it was, I *think* I would have guessed Nebbiolo but hard to know for sure.

Mark Lipton

If Jadot Beaujolais Villages is the best $11 red, Vajra's Langhe Rosso must be the best $17. Or at least on a very short list for top prize.

 

[Ian Fitzsimmons]

originally posted by Salil Benegal:
A couple of dry Rieslings in the last few nights. 2009 Alzinger Steinertal was good, if underwhelming. Well balanced with clean fruit but lacking the depth I've usually found in other vintages of this wine.

2018 Grosset Polish Hill was much better with remarkable brightness and energy and I'm glad I have a couple more of those.

I've been drinking my way through a case of the 2002 Polish Hill, and the three remaining have miles to go before their story is fully told. I understand that 2002 was an exceptional year, but 2018 is reputedly not far behind. Lacking your inquisitive spirit, I expect to wait another six years before I open one of the clutch of bottles I bought last year. Then again, I'm a member of the club that likes its wine to taste like tea.

 

[Jay Miller]

A 2018 geyserville was horrible yesterday. An oaky mess.

 

[Jayson Cohen]

I really have not liked young Geyserville lately on the random occasions I’ve tried it.

I think Ridge may have jumped the shark on the oak treatment a ways back.

 

[Jayson Cohen]

All, this 2019 Tissot Singulier is good. Not sure quite as good as Marnes Blanches and Labet Trousseau. But it’s got just that right combo of cranberry crunch and spicy tannic bite.

 

[Jim Hanlon]

2019 'A Vita Il Rosso: By the glass at Felix in the Venice neighborhood of LA. From Calabria, Gaglioppo with a little Magliocco. Damn, this was just about the perfect lighter red glass pour for a pasta place. Significant tannins, but red sauce cut them so well. In spirit, a southern Italian Cru Beaujolais. Tannins might be a bit much for drinking as a cocktail wine, but worked excellently at the table. Under $25 at retail, and one of the better wines I've had at that pricing in quite a while. Worth trying if you have the chance -- looks like retail is mostly NYC, lucky bastards. Also recommend Felix, really excellent place for carefully executed pasta, etc.

 

[Jay Miller]

originally posted by Jayson Cohen:
I really have not liked young Geyserville lately on the random occasions I’ve tried it.

I think Ridge may have jumped the shark on the oak treatment a ways back.

My only remaining bottle is a 2019. I'll stick it in storage an maybe a miracle will occur sometime in the next decade.

 

[Larry Stein]

A friend hosted a Ridge party on Saturday. Since it's no longer possible to do a full-day picnic up there like our group did for the Monte Bello Component events (pre-pandemic), he decided to do one at his house. There were 3+ dozen Ridge wines opened.

As we know, unicorn is a somewhat overused term. Not in this case. Ridge's first Zin. Grapes came from Picchetti Ranch on Montebello Ridge. It was really terrific, one of the WOTN.

 

[Jim Hanlon]

originally posted by Larry Stein:
A friend hosted a Ridge party on Saturday. Since it's no longer possible to do a full-day picnic up there like our group did for the Monte Bello Component events (pre-pandemic), he decided to do one at his house. There were 3+ dozen Ridge wines opened.

As we know, unicorn is a somewhat overused term. Not in this case. Ridge's first Zin. Grapes came from Picchetti Ranch on Montebello Ridge. It was really terrific, one of the WOTN.

Wow, is that the Zin in the glass?

 

[Larry Stein]

Not my photo. I just confirmed with the photographer and it is.

 

[Brad Kane]

Point of order. Can we either start a new thread, or have everyone that screwed up the format by posting a too big photo go back and resize their photos?

 

[Jayson Cohen]

Does seem the software can’t quite handle the size, esp to phone browser.

And I was aiming for 25,000 views..

 

[mark e]

originally posted by MLipton:

originally posted by mark e:

originally posted by MLipton:
Not really a “thank god” wine since there were some other decent choices, but the 2019 Vajra Langhe Rosso was a delight last night, a really lovely rendition of young vine Nebbiolo, lush red cherry fruit, medium bodied with smooth tannins and good acidic grip. Had I been blinded on this and asked what grape it was, I *think* I would have guessed Nebbiolo but hard to know for sure.

Mark Lipton

In 2020 the Vajra Langhe rosso was DOLCETTO 25%, NEBBIOLO 30%, BARBERA 35%, ALBAROSSA 5%, FREISA 5% - not 100% sure of the percentages the year before.

Ah, thanks for the explanation, Mark. That makes so much sense. I’d just assumed that it was just declassified Barolo grapes going into this, but your blend comports much closer with what I was getting in the glass. As we used to say in grad school, “two weeks in the lab will save you an hour in the library”

Mark Lipton

Just had a glass of the 2020. I had forgotten how refreshing and lively the wine is. We always drink it at the temperature from the wine refrigerator (11 deg C), particularly in the summer. Not much tannin and bright red fruit. There was a floral element that had to have been the Freisa, as the other grapes really don't have those aromatic notes. Joyful and a great value.

 

[Christian Miller (CMM)]

originally posted by Larry Stein:
A friend hosted a Ridge party on Saturday. Since it's no longer possible to do a full-day picnic up there like our group did for the Monte Bello Component events (pre-pandemic), he decided to do one at his house. There were 3+ dozen Ridge wines opened.

As we know, unicorn is a somewhat overused term. Not in this case. Ridge's first Zin. Grapes came from Picchetti Ranch on Montebello Ridge. It was really terrific, one of the WOTN.

I saw Ryan Moore's retweet of this and was bowled over, what a piece of history. Trying to not writhe in jealousy.

 

[VLM]

2018 Closel Jalousie was great last night. Really dry to start and structured and open beautifully through dinner. Still has a bit of an old school feel to it without being as rustic. I really liked this.

2016 Ceritas Chardonnay Peter Martin Ray was steely and coiled like Chablis and stayed firm throughout the evening. I wonder if this will always be aggressive or whether it will soften soon. Good with Dover Sole and buerre blanc.