1999 Edmunds St. John Wylie-Fenaughty

[Everett Bandman]

My last of 3 bottles I've kept since release. This one is at peak needing serious decanting. Full of bacon and umami and great acidity. Syrah is my favorite wine for BLT with heirloom tomato, made this time with arugala in lieu of lettuce. Showed a bit more complexity and elegance than the 2005 Bassetti we opened recently. I know you read these threads Steve, hope to see you again soon, perhaps at the disorderly tasting at the Wolf next month?

 

[Steve Edmunds]

I love reading this note, Everett. This wine put me through the wringer 21 years ago. It was the most promising Syrah I'd ever put in bottle, and then, suddenly, a bunch of it went south: Brett, pediococcus, a host of microbe issues. I pulled as much as I could off the market, and nearly lost my shirt.

Then maybe three years ago, I brought a case home from storage, just to revisit. I suppose I got lucky and happened to get a case that had somehow eluded the bugs; the wine has seemed to be very much as you describe. Who knows whether the rest of it is the same? There's a considerable number of cases in storage.

Not sure if I'm going to be up for the tasting at the Wolf next month. At the moment, I'm avoiding alcohol. It's been a strange year for me, and I'm working on staying attentive to my health. Had my second post-prostatectomy PSA test Wednesday, and again, my PSA is .006, so I've got that going for me, and I'm averaging between 6 and 7 miles a day walking in the Berkeley hills. We'll see...

 

[Jim Hanlon]

originally posted by Steve Edmunds:
I suppose I got lucky and happened to get a case that had somehow eluded the bugs; the wine has seemed to be very much as you describe. Who knows whether the rest of it is the same? There's a considerable number of cases in storage.

Steve, I suppose you might find some volunteers to assist with assessment. You know, we're givers.

If it's a case-by-case issue, then this could be quick-ish work. (And perhaps a fun party.)

Wine aside, glad to hear you're doing well and enjoying the hills.

 

[Everett Bandman]

originally posted by Steve Edmunds:
Not sure if I'm going to be up for the tasting at the Wolf next month. At the moment, I'm avoiding alcohol. It's been a strange year for me, and I'm working on staying attentive to my health. Had my second post-prostatectomy PSA test Wednesday, and again, my PSA is .006, so I've got that going for me, and I'm averaging between 6 and 7 miles a day walking in the Berkeley hills. We'll see...

Stay healthy Steve! We need more of your wines!