Jeff Grossman
Jeff Grossman
Weeknight bottles, mostly. (Jeebi get written-up separately.) From all over the place. Many are experiments. Most are non-poisonous.
Chamonard 2010 Morgon "Le Clos de Lys" - blue fruit, even plum, acidity somewhat reduced, very pretty, definitely gamay though I could see someone thinking that it is Burgundy, luscious really, wonder whether I have any more of these?
Foillard 2019 Morgon "Cuvee Classique" - another from a half-case, Day 1: good but Day 2: ever so slightly biscuity or mousy, feh
Jadot 2008 Pernand-Vergelesses "Clos de la Croix de Pierre" - a bit musty and one-dimensional when opened but a few minutes of air improves it a lot: blackberries and cranberries, simmered softly, perhaps some clove or rosemary?, touch of sweetness, this is about as comfortable as the pot roast it's served next to; Day3: the fruit is a little firmer and a little sweeter, nice recovery, yum
Eric Thill 2018 Pinot Noir (Jura) - yup that's pinot noir
Dom. de la Chevalerie 2014 Bourgueil "Breteche" - recognizably well-behaved cab franc from the Loire, not too acid, not too complex either (alas), but it has good texture and a nice delicacy in the mid-palate: where other wines might go stomping on my tongue, the weave of this wine lets some daylight through; Day 2: same
Dom. de la Chevalerie 2014 Bourgueil "Breteche" - another bottle, a few weeks later, textbook but perfectly so
Dom. Vincent Careme 2014 Vouvray "Le Clos" - this is very rich, very phenolic, so lots of mouthfeel; there is adequate acidity but it's a train-load of material to pull along, good but no reason to seek it out again
Dom. Geoffrey de Nouel 2020 Touraine "Brigand Cot" - cot on limestone made in tank, from the cool room so I suppose it's low-sulfur, it is young and juicy (of course) but there is a bit of that natural stink to it that suggests not holding it for long; I'd already come to this judgment when, on a whim, I tried it with a piece of dark chocolate-covered orange peel and wow, that makes it jump up! still not going to seek it out again but I'm happier with my purchase
Clos Marfisi 2020 Les Nuits Rouges - yup that's red, a bit of brett is its only seasoning
Texier, Eric 2001 Cotes-du-Rhone "Brezeme" - very definitely syrah and pretty definitely Brezeme, it is starting to get thin in the mid-palate, which emphasizes the acidity; it isn't frail but it is foundering in its acid structure, drink now and soon (I have one more bottle); Day2: the mid-palate has bounced back a bit, still drink soon but it's better balanced; kept under quercus plasticus, if that matters
Kimich 2020 Deidesheimer Hergottsacker Riesling Kabinett Trocken - 5 106 159 037 21, bought for a veal stew, totally dry, juicy and limey, no obvious minerality (which is OK at $14/liter)
Immich-Batterieberg 2015 Mosel "C.A.I." Riesling Trocken - quaffing wine, slurpable, acidity still sound, leans towards lime but generally good riesling character, an experiment in aging
Produttori del Barbaresco 2006 Barbaresco - a good one; cran-cherry, damp earth and bay leaf, whiff of pill-box, gently tangy around the tongue, vivid palate, medium weight, the previous bottle suffered from too much VA but this one is perfect, not the last word in complexity but no slouch either, years to go; Day 3: a little simpler but more roses, still quite virile
La Maialina 2007 Chianti Classico Riserva - no note?
Gaggiano 2018 Coste della Sesia "Leandro" - typical Alta Piemonte blend and (surprise!) taste; Day 2: big change for the better, more assertive and less raspy; definitely re-buy
Prod. di Carema 2017 Carema Classico - nice nebbiolo, is there a little extra oomph to distinguish this from any-old Langhe or is that just placebo effect?
Q. do Vesuvio 1990 Vintage Port - lightweight, still sweet but a bit spirity, not much excitement but no objections
Taylor-Fladgate 1997 Vintage Port - does not show the warm year, structured and strong
Desire Lines 2020 Red Wine "Evangelho", Contra Costa County - in a zinny style (or just so young/primary/grapey) but that's definitely likable carignan, maybe give it a couple years to pull itself together
Vincent Wine 2019 Pinot Noir, Ribbon Ridge - recognizably Ribbon Ridge, very young and juicy, yum
Cloudline Pinot Noir - btg, nice enough at the price-point for Willamette wine, Veronique Drouhin consults here
Vincent Wine 2019 Pinot Blanc "Tardive" - lovely texture, a bit tight so not showing much bouquet, need to try again
Chamonard 2010 Morgon "Le Clos de Lys" - blue fruit, even plum, acidity somewhat reduced, very pretty, definitely gamay though I could see someone thinking that it is Burgundy, luscious really, wonder whether I have any more of these?
Foillard 2019 Morgon "Cuvee Classique" - another from a half-case, Day 1: good but Day 2: ever so slightly biscuity or mousy, feh
Jadot 2008 Pernand-Vergelesses "Clos de la Croix de Pierre" - a bit musty and one-dimensional when opened but a few minutes of air improves it a lot: blackberries and cranberries, simmered softly, perhaps some clove or rosemary?, touch of sweetness, this is about as comfortable as the pot roast it's served next to; Day3: the fruit is a little firmer and a little sweeter, nice recovery, yum
Eric Thill 2018 Pinot Noir (Jura) - yup that's pinot noir
Dom. de la Chevalerie 2014 Bourgueil "Breteche" - recognizably well-behaved cab franc from the Loire, not too acid, not too complex either (alas), but it has good texture and a nice delicacy in the mid-palate: where other wines might go stomping on my tongue, the weave of this wine lets some daylight through; Day 2: same
Dom. de la Chevalerie 2014 Bourgueil "Breteche" - another bottle, a few weeks later, textbook but perfectly so
Dom. Vincent Careme 2014 Vouvray "Le Clos" - this is very rich, very phenolic, so lots of mouthfeel; there is adequate acidity but it's a train-load of material to pull along, good but no reason to seek it out again
Dom. Geoffrey de Nouel 2020 Touraine "Brigand Cot" - cot on limestone made in tank, from the cool room so I suppose it's low-sulfur, it is young and juicy (of course) but there is a bit of that natural stink to it that suggests not holding it for long; I'd already come to this judgment when, on a whim, I tried it with a piece of dark chocolate-covered orange peel and wow, that makes it jump up! still not going to seek it out again but I'm happier with my purchase
Clos Marfisi 2020 Les Nuits Rouges - yup that's red, a bit of brett is its only seasoning
Texier, Eric 2001 Cotes-du-Rhone "Brezeme" - very definitely syrah and pretty definitely Brezeme, it is starting to get thin in the mid-palate, which emphasizes the acidity; it isn't frail but it is foundering in its acid structure, drink now and soon (I have one more bottle); Day2: the mid-palate has bounced back a bit, still drink soon but it's better balanced; kept under quercus plasticus, if that matters
Kimich 2020 Deidesheimer Hergottsacker Riesling Kabinett Trocken - 5 106 159 037 21, bought for a veal stew, totally dry, juicy and limey, no obvious minerality (which is OK at $14/liter)
Immich-Batterieberg 2015 Mosel "C.A.I." Riesling Trocken - quaffing wine, slurpable, acidity still sound, leans towards lime but generally good riesling character, an experiment in aging
Produttori del Barbaresco 2006 Barbaresco - a good one; cran-cherry, damp earth and bay leaf, whiff of pill-box, gently tangy around the tongue, vivid palate, medium weight, the previous bottle suffered from too much VA but this one is perfect, not the last word in complexity but no slouch either, years to go; Day 3: a little simpler but more roses, still quite virile
La Maialina 2007 Chianti Classico Riserva - no note?
Gaggiano 2018 Coste della Sesia "Leandro" - typical Alta Piemonte blend and (surprise!) taste; Day 2: big change for the better, more assertive and less raspy; definitely re-buy
Prod. di Carema 2017 Carema Classico - nice nebbiolo, is there a little extra oomph to distinguish this from any-old Langhe or is that just placebo effect?
Q. do Vesuvio 1990 Vintage Port - lightweight, still sweet but a bit spirity, not much excitement but no objections
Taylor-Fladgate 1997 Vintage Port - does not show the warm year, structured and strong
Desire Lines 2020 Red Wine "Evangelho", Contra Costa County - in a zinny style (or just so young/primary/grapey) but that's definitely likable carignan, maybe give it a couple years to pull itself together
Vincent Wine 2019 Pinot Noir, Ribbon Ridge - recognizably Ribbon Ridge, very young and juicy, yum
Cloudline Pinot Noir - btg, nice enough at the price-point for Willamette wine, Veronique Drouhin consults here
Vincent Wine 2019 Pinot Blanc "Tardive" - lovely texture, a bit tight so not showing much bouquet, need to try again
