Florida Jim
Florida Jim
2005 Luneau-Papin, Muscadet Clos des Alles:
Like drinking mountain spring water when you are parched; deep, clean, clear, refreshing, expressive and balanced flavors and aromas to make you think of alpine rivers and a finish that lasts. A tremendous wine, showing well.
2001 Knoll, Grner Veltliner Vinothekfllung:
This was my third and last bottle of this wine; the first showed nicely but young; the second was simply one of the greatest wines of my life and I had anticipated this bottle would reinforce that experience but alas, the closure defeated that corked in a very mild way and ever so slightly oxidized such that the whole thing comes off liquor-esque and brassy rather than deep and pure, and the flavors are quite off (curiously, the nose is fine).
I have learned not to be upset by such things but I admit that I had looked forward to this bottle for just Diane and me. Ah well, I will enjoy the memory of bottle number two and, should I ever be able to afford this again, buy it in an instant.
2007 Louis Michel, Chablis Montmain:
13%, under screwcap; clean, crisp, character-driven Chablis with loads of cut and good sustain. It isnt meant to age but its excellent now. About $25.
1999 Belle Pente, Pinot Noir Wahle Vnyd.:
Smoke and a slight char on the nose with some VA; nice in the mouth with a satin texture, earthy flavors and good intensity; medium finish. 13.8%. Too much VA for me but the texture was really fine.
2000 Gravity Hills, Syrah Killer Climb:
13.9% from Paso Robles; tar, earth and sappy dark fruit on the nose; very concentrated with a sandpaper texture and very powerful flavors of dark fruit and earth with some fresh meat and complex spice notes; big finish with considerable tannin and a wash of mouth-watering acidity. This needs time to come together but it has the concentration of Hermitage, the rusticity of old-school Cornas and the fruit of CA one of the most intense syrahs Ive had from the left-coast. About $35.
2005 Edmunds St. John, Syrah Bassetti Vnyd.:
Stands as counter-point to the Gravity Hills noted above its pure, deep, integrated and smooth with a silky texture, fresh fruit and gentle nuance that belie its structure. Much more drinkable and every bit as promising for the cellar. Stylish and still intense finesse with power.
Really good.
Best, Jim
Like drinking mountain spring water when you are parched; deep, clean, clear, refreshing, expressive and balanced flavors and aromas to make you think of alpine rivers and a finish that lasts. A tremendous wine, showing well.
2001 Knoll, Grner Veltliner Vinothekfllung:
This was my third and last bottle of this wine; the first showed nicely but young; the second was simply one of the greatest wines of my life and I had anticipated this bottle would reinforce that experience but alas, the closure defeated that corked in a very mild way and ever so slightly oxidized such that the whole thing comes off liquor-esque and brassy rather than deep and pure, and the flavors are quite off (curiously, the nose is fine).
I have learned not to be upset by such things but I admit that I had looked forward to this bottle for just Diane and me. Ah well, I will enjoy the memory of bottle number two and, should I ever be able to afford this again, buy it in an instant.
2007 Louis Michel, Chablis Montmain:
13%, under screwcap; clean, crisp, character-driven Chablis with loads of cut and good sustain. It isnt meant to age but its excellent now. About $25.
1999 Belle Pente, Pinot Noir Wahle Vnyd.:
Smoke and a slight char on the nose with some VA; nice in the mouth with a satin texture, earthy flavors and good intensity; medium finish. 13.8%. Too much VA for me but the texture was really fine.
2000 Gravity Hills, Syrah Killer Climb:
13.9% from Paso Robles; tar, earth and sappy dark fruit on the nose; very concentrated with a sandpaper texture and very powerful flavors of dark fruit and earth with some fresh meat and complex spice notes; big finish with considerable tannin and a wash of mouth-watering acidity. This needs time to come together but it has the concentration of Hermitage, the rusticity of old-school Cornas and the fruit of CA one of the most intense syrahs Ive had from the left-coast. About $35.
2005 Edmunds St. John, Syrah Bassetti Vnyd.:
Stands as counter-point to the Gravity Hills noted above its pure, deep, integrated and smooth with a silky texture, fresh fruit and gentle nuance that belie its structure. Much more drinkable and every bit as promising for the cellar. Stylish and still intense finesse with power.
Really good.
Best, Jim