Florida Jim
Florida Jim
Fifty-five years ago, my brother and I began shopping at a chain of wine stores on the west coast of FL called Imperial Chateau. It had the best collection of German Riesling I had or have ever seen. It closed years ago.
My brother left wine behind; I went all in.
Fast forward, and he is now stepping back into the wine world. A couple weeks ago he brought me five bottles of Pinot to try, all $10 or less, from Total Wine - he likes them all.
I have tasted them all over several days but have not researched the labels, producers or specific bottles. Bogle is the only label I’ve seen before.
2021 Bogle, Pinot Noir - 14.5 abv and it’s noticeable; the palate is ponderous and the aroma muddy. It improves only slightly over time. Not for me.
2022 Mark West, Pinot Noir - 13.5 abv; quite sweet and confected over all three days. Not for me.
2023 Recas Castle, Pinot Noir - 13.0 abv from Romania; balanced, good acidity but tastes like somebody tried to make it taste like black cherry but they don’t know what black cherry tastes like - odd.
Not a bad wine but not for me.
2022 Cloud Break, Pinot Noir - 13.5 abv; well made, balanced, good flavors although nothing complex and did not fall off over 3 days. I put this in the “thank goodness they have this” category. Not something to buy retail but better than most wine list stuff.
2023 Marc Dupas, Pinot Noir Les Percelles - 13.5 abv; lightweight, feminine, moderately complex and nice energy. Performed well over two nights (it never made night three; we finished it) and I would buy this although not in quantity.
Baby steps . . .
My brother left wine behind; I went all in.
Fast forward, and he is now stepping back into the wine world. A couple weeks ago he brought me five bottles of Pinot to try, all $10 or less, from Total Wine - he likes them all.
I have tasted them all over several days but have not researched the labels, producers or specific bottles. Bogle is the only label I’ve seen before.
2021 Bogle, Pinot Noir - 14.5 abv and it’s noticeable; the palate is ponderous and the aroma muddy. It improves only slightly over time. Not for me.
2022 Mark West, Pinot Noir - 13.5 abv; quite sweet and confected over all three days. Not for me.
2023 Recas Castle, Pinot Noir - 13.0 abv from Romania; balanced, good acidity but tastes like somebody tried to make it taste like black cherry but they don’t know what black cherry tastes like - odd.
Not a bad wine but not for me.
2022 Cloud Break, Pinot Noir - 13.5 abv; well made, balanced, good flavors although nothing complex and did not fall off over 3 days. I put this in the “thank goodness they have this” category. Not something to buy retail but better than most wine list stuff.
2023 Marc Dupas, Pinot Noir Les Percelles - 13.5 abv; lightweight, feminine, moderately complex and nice energy. Performed well over two nights (it never made night three; we finished it) and I would buy this although not in quantity.
Baby steps . . .