Florida Jim
Florida Jim
Wine impressions 2-9-23
2015 Piedrassasi, Red Wine Harrison Clarke Vineyard - 50/50 Syrah/Mourvèdre; the nose was southern Rhone, the palate was not; there is the depth and breadth of the blend in the mouth but this has more focus and, for lack of a better word, empathy in the mouth; a subtle but recognizable way of configuring itself to how you feel; layered and integrated flavors all seeming to rise up out of the Syrah element of the blend - but becoming more than just that. Clearly, hard to describe but integrated and complex at the same time.
Excellent.
2018 Vincent, Pinot Noir Armstrong Vineyard - REQUIRED time; over five hours, both with and without food, this came from a quiet, tight wine into a world class, wonderfully balanced and complex wine that is the very essence of what Ribbon Ridge can be. Decanter time is mandatory. Cellar time is advised. But over the course of an evening, as good as it gets.
Superb.
2019 Vincent, Pinot Noir Armstrong Vineyard - 12.9%abv; raspberry, mustard seed, flowers with a hint of stone; firm in the mouth but generous flavors of fruit, mustard and mineral with a salty accent - shows young but also with promise. The textures speak of the concentration and density but also of the wine’s youth; tannin is evident, acidity is bright. I think this will, one day, out distance the 2018 because of its concentration, complexity and structure. And as it opens in air, it becomes more delicate.
Today, excellent - in the future, far more.
2017 Cowan Cellars, Syrah Bennett Valley - a wine that, after several years, has found its center and it’s depth; classic Bennett Valley Syrah with developing accents of Graham cracker, bay leaf, blood and the juices of grilled meats. Not to be compared with other domestic or even old world Syrahs - a place for itself and, a good one.
Excellent.
2021 Calluna, Estate Blanc - 72% Sauvignon Blanc/28% Semillon from a vineyard at the top of Chalk Hill in Sonoma; it should be said that neither Diane or I are fans of these varieties by themselves (with rare exception) but we both love this wine; crystalline aromas of stone fruit, citrus and fresh herbs; much the same in the mouth with texture, depth and cut; and the sense that this is a toddler taking its first steps. A lovely wine with such great balance that one may miss the signs of potential.
Excellent.
2020 Pieropan, Soave Calvarino - 70/30 Garganega/Trebbiano, from a single vineyard and made in stainless; full body, a honeyed note to accompany lemon zest, fresh mango, some floral and some poached pear scents - smells like it might be sweet; it ain’t - fabulous cut, deep Garganega flavors, dimensional textures and sustain that is lively in your mouth for at least a minute after swallowing.
As it opens, all of these elements integrate to form a cohesive whole but are still, as yet, undeveloped.
Indeed, it’s a baby.
IMO, one of Italy’s great wines and should have a long life in your cellar.
And I should say, the acidity here is as good as there will ever be.
Superb!
Best, Jim
2015 Piedrassasi, Red Wine Harrison Clarke Vineyard - 50/50 Syrah/Mourvèdre; the nose was southern Rhone, the palate was not; there is the depth and breadth of the blend in the mouth but this has more focus and, for lack of a better word, empathy in the mouth; a subtle but recognizable way of configuring itself to how you feel; layered and integrated flavors all seeming to rise up out of the Syrah element of the blend - but becoming more than just that. Clearly, hard to describe but integrated and complex at the same time.
Excellent.
2018 Vincent, Pinot Noir Armstrong Vineyard - REQUIRED time; over five hours, both with and without food, this came from a quiet, tight wine into a world class, wonderfully balanced and complex wine that is the very essence of what Ribbon Ridge can be. Decanter time is mandatory. Cellar time is advised. But over the course of an evening, as good as it gets.
Superb.
2019 Vincent, Pinot Noir Armstrong Vineyard - 12.9%abv; raspberry, mustard seed, flowers with a hint of stone; firm in the mouth but generous flavors of fruit, mustard and mineral with a salty accent - shows young but also with promise. The textures speak of the concentration and density but also of the wine’s youth; tannin is evident, acidity is bright. I think this will, one day, out distance the 2018 because of its concentration, complexity and structure. And as it opens in air, it becomes more delicate.
Today, excellent - in the future, far more.
2017 Cowan Cellars, Syrah Bennett Valley - a wine that, after several years, has found its center and it’s depth; classic Bennett Valley Syrah with developing accents of Graham cracker, bay leaf, blood and the juices of grilled meats. Not to be compared with other domestic or even old world Syrahs - a place for itself and, a good one.
Excellent.
2021 Calluna, Estate Blanc - 72% Sauvignon Blanc/28% Semillon from a vineyard at the top of Chalk Hill in Sonoma; it should be said that neither Diane or I are fans of these varieties by themselves (with rare exception) but we both love this wine; crystalline aromas of stone fruit, citrus and fresh herbs; much the same in the mouth with texture, depth and cut; and the sense that this is a toddler taking its first steps. A lovely wine with such great balance that one may miss the signs of potential.
Excellent.
2020 Pieropan, Soave Calvarino - 70/30 Garganega/Trebbiano, from a single vineyard and made in stainless; full body, a honeyed note to accompany lemon zest, fresh mango, some floral and some poached pear scents - smells like it might be sweet; it ain’t - fabulous cut, deep Garganega flavors, dimensional textures and sustain that is lively in your mouth for at least a minute after swallowing.
As it opens, all of these elements integrate to form a cohesive whole but are still, as yet, undeveloped.
Indeed, it’s a baby.
IMO, one of Italy’s great wines and should have a long life in your cellar.
And I should say, the acidity here is as good as there will ever be.
Superb!
Best, Jim