Six wines

Florida Jim

Florida Jim
Whites:

2007 Ameztoi, Getariako Txakolina:
Fizzy, 10.5% alcohol from the Basque region of Spain; akin to Cava but having a more mineral backbone, less bubbles and very dry fruit flavors. A starter wine but pretty good with assorted cheeses. Thirst quenching.

2005 Ppire, Muscadet Granite de Clisson:
The longer this spends in bottle the more defined and precise it gets. Still, plenty of flesh and depth with an individual character that is at once unique yet of its place, perfect balance, concentrated and quite integrated even with its remarkable complexity. Crisp, cool and captivating; one of the finest white wines in the world. $20 on release and about 12.5% alcohol.

Reds:

2000 Thomas, Pinot Noir:
Bright and almost spritzy at first but it evolves to reveal a nicely balanced, very Oregon pinot. Some depth and complexity; a bit of cola. Im a little suspect of this bottle as there was some leakage at the cork.

2006 Priarius, Pinot Noir:
From Oregon at about 13.5% alcohol this is pale and translucent; light scents of raspberry and spice with a touch of dark fruit; elegant but dense in the mouth with finesse and lovely varietal character, well balanced; long finish that emphasizes the dark fruit notes. A pretty, little wine for about $14.

2008 Castle Rock, Pinot Noir Willamette Valley:
Smells pretty generic; tastes OK but it has a swath of chalky tannins that overwhelms the mouth I think this is wood tannin but wherever its from, its unpleasant. A couple of sips was all I could handle. 13.5% alcohol and about $12. Pass.

2005 Philippe Faury, St. Joseph:
Really pretty wine; alluring aromatics of purple fruit and leather; much the same in the mouth with excellent balance and a degree of finesse that makes this such a joy; long, fruit filled finish. A wine to compare other syrahs to. 12.8% alcohol and about $25. Superb!

Best, Jim
 
originally posted by Florida Jim:
Six wines
Whites:

2007 Ameztoi, Getariako Txakolina:
Fizzy, 10.5% alcohol from the Basque region of Spain; akin to Cava but having a more mineral backbone, less bubbles and very dry fruit flavors. A starter wine but pretty good with assorted cheeses. Thirst quenching.

It is MUCH, MUCH better with seafood. That's why it was created. This wine paired with crab stir fried with ginger and scallions remains one of the best food and wine combination's of my life.
 
originally posted by VLM:
originally posted by Florida Jim:
Six wines
Whites:

2007 Ameztoi, Getariako Txakolina:
Fizzy, 10.5% alcohol from the Basque region of Spain; akin to Cava but having a more mineral backbone, less bubbles and very dry fruit flavors. A starter wine but pretty good with assorted cheeses. Thirst quenching.

It is MUCH, MUCH better with seafood. That's why it was created. This wine paired with crab stir fried with ginger and scallions remains one of the best food and wine combination's of my life.

I've had the Ameztoi with some Gambas al Ajillo (Shrimp w/ garlic) tapa and it is a combo that you just never want to end. I'm sure you've had it, but their Rubentis (Ros) is heavenly.
 
My local source dried up and I'm going to have to buy it in the Bay Area. I guess it's a little more intense than the 2007. I'm wondering if I can get by with a couple of bottles or if I should buy a case.
 
originally posted by lars makie:
I'll second that
originally posted by VLM:
originally posted by Florida Jim:
Six wines
Whites:

2007 Ameztoi, Getariako Txakolina:
Fizzy, 10.5% alcohol from the Basque region of Spain; akin to Cava but having a more mineral backbone, less bubbles and very dry fruit flavors. A starter wine but pretty good with assorted cheeses. Thirst quenching.

It is MUCH, MUCH better with seafood. That's why it was created. This wine paired with crab stir fried with ginger and scallions remains one of the best food and wine combination's of my life.

I've had the Ameztoi with some Gambas al Ajillo (Shrimp w/ garlic) tapa and it is a combo that you just never want to end. I'm sure you've had it, but their Rubentis (Ros) is heavenly.

We invented Rubentis here in Cackalak.
 
originally posted by SteveTimko:
Anyone had the 2008 Ameztoi rose yet?My local source dried up and I'm going to have to buy it in the Bay Area. I guess it's a little more intense than the 2007. I'm wondering if I can get by with a couple of bottles or if I should buy a case.

Steve, for great wines like this vintage doesn't matter. You need to lose that (ebob) frame of mind.

I buy Croix Boisee every year because it is a great site farmed by an excellent vigneron. Even if every year is not "great" the wine will be a great expression of whatever is going on in that vintage.
 
I can still buy some 2007 Ameztoi Rubentis, which I freaking love. It's like Chablis or Muscadet made rose. I'm basically only going to be able to do one drive-by at a Bay Area wine store to pick some up before it's gone. Then I won't know where to get it. I'm trying to decide whether to load up on the 2007, which I know I love, or try the 2008, which I might not like as much as the 2007.
 
originally posted by SteveTimko:
Okay, let me frame it another wayI can still buy some 2007 Ameztoi Rubentis, which I freaking love. It's like Chablis or Muscadet made rose. I'm basically only going to be able to do one drive-by at a Bay Area wine store to pick some up before it's gone. Then I won't know where to get it. I'm trying to decide whether to load up on the 2007, which I know I love, or try the 2008, which I might not like as much as the 2007.

No, it's like Txakoli made rose.

You should just be happy you have the opportunity to buy it at retail. It's pretty scarce. I essentially got shut out of the 2008 because I waited too long. Buy them both.
 
2000 Thomas, Pinot Noir:
Bright and almost spritzy at first but it evolves to reveal a nicely balanced, very Oregon pinot. Some depth and complexity; a bit of cola. Im a little suspect of this bottle as there was some leakage at the cork.

2005 Philippe Faury, St. Joseph:
Really pretty wine; alluring aromatics of purple fruit and leather; much the same in the mouth with excellent balance and a degree of finesse that makes this such a joy; long, fruit filled finish. A wine to compare other syrahs to. 12.8% alcohol and about $25. Superb!

I've had a friend who visited there say nice things about their pinots, but I never see them over here.

I like the Faury wines, both producers of them (there are 2). Underrated and priced as such, and out of the "full-throttle" camp.
 
originally posted by MarkS:
I've had a friend who visited there say nice things about their pinots, but I never see them over here.
Mark,
One of those visits that will always be with me was my first to see John Thomas at his winery. Its fairly remote and the drive in was just a cart path. An old dog met me and then John wandered out. He does everything by himself except pick.
We walked through the 3 acres of vines he has, some with phylloxera and then went into his winery. It was a mess; stuff everywhere. Except when we got to the barrel room, where everything was in its place.
John is pretty reclusive and speaks softly. We tasted through the barrels and then some from bottle. The conversation was varied.
The entire visit probably lasted two hours and I went away feeling like I'd met somebody real and somebody who cared.
His neighbors say he will do anything for his wines - the emphasis on anything.
I don't buy much Oregon pinot these days but I still have some bottles of Thomas in the cellar.
A very nice memory.
Best, Jim
 
originally posted by Arjun Mendiratta:
PriariusAn elegant 2006, now that's something. And $14?

What do you know about this producer?

Absolutely nothing.
'Couldn't find them on the web and everything I did find was commercial.
Best, Jim
 
originally posted by SteveTimko:
originally posted by Florida Jim:

originally posted by Arjun Mendiratta:
Priarius

An elegant 2006, now that's something. And $14? What do you know about this producer?
Absolutely nothing. 'Couldn't find them on the web and everything I did find was commercial. Best, Jim

I assume you see it's one of the Precept Wine brands? They have lots of labels with nice, pretty flowers.
Yep; that's the one.
Best, Jim
 
originally posted by SteveTimko:
Okay, let me frame it another wayI can still buy some 2007 Ameztoi Rubentis, which I freaking love. It's like Chablis or Muscadet made rose. I'm basically only going to be able to do one drive-by at a Bay Area wine store to pick some up before it's gone. Then I won't know where to get it. I'm trying to decide whether to load up on the 2007, which I know I love, or try the 2008, which I might not like as much as the 2007.
I'd go with the 2008. I buy these wines to drink early and often; I don't think they're for aging, even in the short-term.

That's based on a relatively small number of data points, but I'm going with it.
 
I've had a 2007 Ameztoi Rubentis as recently as two months ago and it was nice. Eric Levine posted a note about it a month or so ago and he still liked his, too.
 
Jim, I appreciate the note on the Faury.

It looks like the 2006 Faury St. Joseph Vieilles Vignes is being closed out around here in the mid-twenties which really surprises me given how little is produced. I drank a bottle a few months back and thought it was excellent.
 
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