Florida Jim
Florida Jim
Wine impressions 5-16-25
2016 Cowan Cellars, Syrah Bennett Valley - opaque, rich, complex and definitely Bennett Valley. The darkest and most concentrated wine I made and showing well after 9 years. Excellent with a turkey and tomato ragout over pasta.
N/V Dhondt-Grellet, Champagne 'Dans un Premier Temps' Extra Brut - while an assemblage, it looks and tastes more of Chardonnay, lovely aromatics, small but persistent bead and more flesh than most bubbles I taste. But perfect balance and delicious. Fine.
2022 Clos du Gravilla, Emmenez-moi du Bout du Terret - 100% Terret Gris from Minervois; flinty, sassafras, clean, earthy and energetic. From attack to finish it feels like you’re stretching a rubber band - fuller and looser at the beginning, more linear and precise at the end. A unique profile in my experience, and one I very much enjoy. Fine.
2017 Dirty & Rowdy, Mourvèdre Evangelho Vineyard - lightweight, pretty and true to the house style; not much development but the integration is complete and the balance is excellent. Not my favorite D&R Evangelho but still delicious. My last bottle.
N/V Vilmart, Champagne Grand Cellier - a textbook example of Champagne; lovely yet restrained aromatics, persistent bead and layered flavors with good cut. Hard not to love. Fine.
2019 Pepiere, Clisson - for those who consider Muscadet a lightweight, acidic or even shrill white, this is the antidote. Although, I’m not sure this is the highest and best use of Melon.
It’s concentrated and rich, flinty but ripe and has more in common with the Rhône texturally than it does with the Loire. An interesting rendition of Muscadet but neither typical nor especially compelling. At least, not yet.
2019 Benoit Cantin, Irancy - bursting with red fruit, energy and nuance, firm structure, balanced and quite long. Showing extremely well and a joy to drink. Wonderful! Very fine.
2022 Louis Michel, Chablis Montee de Tonnerre - beginning to find itself; full-on Chablis aromatics - delineated and nuanced; the palate follows with citrus, marine layer, lots of cut and salt. Four months ago this was loose, and, while showing promise, without direction. It knows the way now but has miles to go. It will be my great pleasure to follow its journey over the coming years - “great expectations.” Very fine.
Best, Jim
2016 Cowan Cellars, Syrah Bennett Valley - opaque, rich, complex and definitely Bennett Valley. The darkest and most concentrated wine I made and showing well after 9 years. Excellent with a turkey and tomato ragout over pasta.
N/V Dhondt-Grellet, Champagne 'Dans un Premier Temps' Extra Brut - while an assemblage, it looks and tastes more of Chardonnay, lovely aromatics, small but persistent bead and more flesh than most bubbles I taste. But perfect balance and delicious. Fine.
2022 Clos du Gravilla, Emmenez-moi du Bout du Terret - 100% Terret Gris from Minervois; flinty, sassafras, clean, earthy and energetic. From attack to finish it feels like you’re stretching a rubber band - fuller and looser at the beginning, more linear and precise at the end. A unique profile in my experience, and one I very much enjoy. Fine.
2017 Dirty & Rowdy, Mourvèdre Evangelho Vineyard - lightweight, pretty and true to the house style; not much development but the integration is complete and the balance is excellent. Not my favorite D&R Evangelho but still delicious. My last bottle.
N/V Vilmart, Champagne Grand Cellier - a textbook example of Champagne; lovely yet restrained aromatics, persistent bead and layered flavors with good cut. Hard not to love. Fine.
2019 Pepiere, Clisson - for those who consider Muscadet a lightweight, acidic or even shrill white, this is the antidote. Although, I’m not sure this is the highest and best use of Melon.
It’s concentrated and rich, flinty but ripe and has more in common with the Rhône texturally than it does with the Loire. An interesting rendition of Muscadet but neither typical nor especially compelling. At least, not yet.
2019 Benoit Cantin, Irancy - bursting with red fruit, energy and nuance, firm structure, balanced and quite long. Showing extremely well and a joy to drink. Wonderful! Very fine.
2022 Louis Michel, Chablis Montee de Tonnerre - beginning to find itself; full-on Chablis aromatics - delineated and nuanced; the palate follows with citrus, marine layer, lots of cut and salt. Four months ago this was loose, and, while showing promise, without direction. It knows the way now but has miles to go. It will be my great pleasure to follow its journey over the coming years - “great expectations.” Very fine.
Best, Jim