Florida Jim
Florida Jim
Wine impressions 10-26-23
2002 Joel Taluau, St.-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil VV - pyrazine city, disjointed, grainy tannins and just plain unpleasant. On day three, it had integrated, the green had become just part of the nose, some fruit had emerged and the tannins, while still prominent, had smoothed. ‘Never going to be my cuppa but air made a difference for the better.
(Purchased on release, last bottle)
Fair.
2022 Giacosa, Arneis - my first bottle of this was blousy and too viscous, but in fairness, that was on the evening of the day I received the wine. This bottle was wholly different; the nose and palate had tightened up, the acidity was crackling and the flavors delineated - quite a noticeable difference. However, on day two it was softer and more like the first bottle. My guess is this needs a little time in the cellar and a bottle should be finished in one sitting. 14% abv requires some adjustment.
Very good.
2018 Caparsa, Chianti - an earthy, moderately complex, lightweight example of a young red wine with character. Good with pizza, even better with pork. At less than $20/bottle, excellent QPR.
Very good.
2011 Cowan Cellars, Isa - skin-fermented Sauvignon Blanc that I matched with a dish containing artichokes - spot on. This is a medium weight, brassy colored wine with a bit of tannic grip, more than a whiff of fresh herbs and fruit that is much fresher than its age might suggest. On release, this was nearly undrinkable for its pyrazines; in adolescence, it became more balanced and less green but still was a bit of a shock to taste; now, it’s found peace and harmony while maintaining good fruit intensity with ample savory accents. I’m very happy with where this wine is now.
2022 Navarro, Rose of Pinot Noir - lightweight, delicate yet flavorful. Joyful wine that is not overwhelmed by pork, potatoes and green beans but still comes across as subtle. And by itself it’s actually refreshing. Charming wine.
Excellent.
2022 Vincent, Pinot Noir Ribbon Ridge - much more open and generous but still with a firmness that speaks of Ribbon Ridge. So easy to drink and gone before dinner’s end. Another in a long string of exceptional wines with this designation. An “oh my!” without reservation - I will run out of this way too early. 12.5 abv.
Superb.
2021 Vincent, Pinot Noir Temperance Hill - 12.3 abv; on day one this is disjointed, slightly green and with evident tannins - in short, not now.
On day two, the change is significant - the nose and palate are young but integrated, the green/whole cluster is an element and not overwhelming, the tannins are in balance, the fruit is fresh and vibrant but the most remarkable thing is the texture - this is world class; I can’t remember texture like this in any new or old world Pinot without decades of age - gossamer silk.
Overall it shows young but even better now than the Ribbon Ridge noted above. But the promise here is immense - the whole cluster is likely to morph into rose petals, the fruit will mellow, the integration will improve but this texture - if it gets any better . . .
World class!
(Aside: I have, over many years, come to the conclusion that, of the domestic Pinots that you can actually get, this and the Domaine de La Cote, Blooms Field, year in and year out, are as good as it gets. And both are more expressive and age worthy than the vast majority of Pinots from anywhere, Burgundy included.
And, FWIW, the majority of my cellar is Burgundy.)
2019 Louis Michel, Chablis Vaudesir - Chablis is my favorite wine and this, even in its youth, pushes the envelope. There is the elegance of the vineyard; a sort of suave, lighter weight delivery, and then this remarkable depth but without weight - it’s counter-intuitive - how can something so ethereal be so intense. No doubt, this is in its infancy, yet even now, it dazzles. Think of what you want great Chablis to taste like and then, triple it.
God wine!
Best, Jim
2002 Joel Taluau, St.-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil VV - pyrazine city, disjointed, grainy tannins and just plain unpleasant. On day three, it had integrated, the green had become just part of the nose, some fruit had emerged and the tannins, while still prominent, had smoothed. ‘Never going to be my cuppa but air made a difference for the better.
(Purchased on release, last bottle)
Fair.
2022 Giacosa, Arneis - my first bottle of this was blousy and too viscous, but in fairness, that was on the evening of the day I received the wine. This bottle was wholly different; the nose and palate had tightened up, the acidity was crackling and the flavors delineated - quite a noticeable difference. However, on day two it was softer and more like the first bottle. My guess is this needs a little time in the cellar and a bottle should be finished in one sitting. 14% abv requires some adjustment.
Very good.
2018 Caparsa, Chianti - an earthy, moderately complex, lightweight example of a young red wine with character. Good with pizza, even better with pork. At less than $20/bottle, excellent QPR.
Very good.
2011 Cowan Cellars, Isa - skin-fermented Sauvignon Blanc that I matched with a dish containing artichokes - spot on. This is a medium weight, brassy colored wine with a bit of tannic grip, more than a whiff of fresh herbs and fruit that is much fresher than its age might suggest. On release, this was nearly undrinkable for its pyrazines; in adolescence, it became more balanced and less green but still was a bit of a shock to taste; now, it’s found peace and harmony while maintaining good fruit intensity with ample savory accents. I’m very happy with where this wine is now.
2022 Navarro, Rose of Pinot Noir - lightweight, delicate yet flavorful. Joyful wine that is not overwhelmed by pork, potatoes and green beans but still comes across as subtle. And by itself it’s actually refreshing. Charming wine.
Excellent.
2022 Vincent, Pinot Noir Ribbon Ridge - much more open and generous but still with a firmness that speaks of Ribbon Ridge. So easy to drink and gone before dinner’s end. Another in a long string of exceptional wines with this designation. An “oh my!” without reservation - I will run out of this way too early. 12.5 abv.
Superb.
2021 Vincent, Pinot Noir Temperance Hill - 12.3 abv; on day one this is disjointed, slightly green and with evident tannins - in short, not now.
On day two, the change is significant - the nose and palate are young but integrated, the green/whole cluster is an element and not overwhelming, the tannins are in balance, the fruit is fresh and vibrant but the most remarkable thing is the texture - this is world class; I can’t remember texture like this in any new or old world Pinot without decades of age - gossamer silk.
Overall it shows young but even better now than the Ribbon Ridge noted above. But the promise here is immense - the whole cluster is likely to morph into rose petals, the fruit will mellow, the integration will improve but this texture - if it gets any better . . .
World class!
(Aside: I have, over many years, come to the conclusion that, of the domestic Pinots that you can actually get, this and the Domaine de La Cote, Blooms Field, year in and year out, are as good as it gets. And both are more expressive and age worthy than the vast majority of Pinots from anywhere, Burgundy included.
And, FWIW, the majority of my cellar is Burgundy.)
2019 Louis Michel, Chablis Vaudesir - Chablis is my favorite wine and this, even in its youth, pushes the envelope. There is the elegance of the vineyard; a sort of suave, lighter weight delivery, and then this remarkable depth but without weight - it’s counter-intuitive - how can something so ethereal be so intense. No doubt, this is in its infancy, yet even now, it dazzles. Think of what you want great Chablis to taste like and then, triple it.
God wine!
Best, Jim
