2008 Pepiere Muscadet and 2004 Arcadian Fiddlestix Pinot

[Jay Miller]

The Pepiere was, as expected, quite nice. Tight when first opened it developed an appealing creaminess with air. But I'm back to preferring the Briords in '08. Not really a great match with a duck breast.

Joe Davis didn't like his '04 Pinots as the heat wave caused him to pick much riper fruit than he prefers. But this was available at a discounted price on closeout so I decided to give it a try. The first moment shows some attractive rich fruit which is quickly overwhelmed by the alcohol. Not at a level to describe as burning, but definitely noticeable. While the flavor profile was a better match for the duck's second breast I'd have been smarter to spend the same money on a bottle of the '08 Briords.

 

[Rahsaan]

originally posted by Jay Miller: But I'm back to preferring the Briords in '08.

Was there a time when you preferred the regular 08?

I know they each offer different things for different moments but surely Briords always has a bit 'more' to offer. For whatever that's worth.

 

[Jay Miller]

originally posted by Rahsaan:

originally posted by Jay Miller: But I'm back to preferring the Briords in '08.

Was there a time when you preferred the regular 08?

I know they each offer different things for different moments but surely Briords always has a bit 'more' to offer. For whatever that's worth.

Sorry, I should have been clearer. In 2007 I preferred the regular Pepiere to the Briords (unlike in 06, 05, 04, etc.). In 2008 I'm back to preferring the Briords.

 

[Yule Kim]

Any particular reason you prefer the regular '07 Pepiere to the '07 Briords? Was the regular Pepiere unusually good that year or was the Briords unusually bad?

BTW, had a very nice '07 regular Pepiere recently. It was really good. Nice shrill acidity laced with salt and a spritz of lemon. Yum. Only one bottle left unfortunately.

 

[Jay Miller]

originally posted by Yule Kim:
Any particular reason you prefer the regular '07 Pepiere to the '07 Briords? Was the regular Pepiere unusually good that year or was the Briords unusually bad?

BTW, had a very nice '07 regular Pepiere recently. It was really good. Nice shrill acidity laced with salt and a spritz of lemon. Yum. Only one bottle left unfortunately.

I found the '07 Briord's acidity shriller than that of the Pepiere and too mouthpuckering for my taste. In the Pepiere it seemed just right.

 

[John McIlwain]

With none of the appetizing qualities of either prunes or scotch. We got this on closeout as well. I found it a disastrous mess. At 15.8% abv, it has hot over-extracted badness that lingers.

Love that Briords '08 though!

Best,
John

 

[Jay Miller]

originally posted by John McIlwain:
Prune Scotch!With none of the appetizing qualities of either prunes or scotch. We got this on closeout as well. I found it a disastrous mess. At 15.8% abv, it has hot over-extracted badness that lingers.

Love that Briords '08 though!

Best,
John

Yes, there's obviously a reason it's been so heavily discounted :).

One of my favorite CA winemakers in more reasonable vintages.

 

[Jeff Grossman]

originally posted by Jay Miller:
One of my favorite CA winemakers in more reasonable vintages.

Damning with faint praise, no?

 

[Jay Miller]

originally posted by Jeff Grossman:

originally posted by Jay Miller:
One of my favorite CA winemakers in more reasonable vintages.

Damning with faint praise, no?

No. He makes a number of top notch wines. As do a few other people in CA.