On Friday we headed over to Berkeley to see Steve Edmunds and drink some of his wine with him. We got right into things, including the relative elevations of his high altitude Gamay vineyards in the Sierras vs. those of Chiroubles, Lacanian analysis, and our favorite Beaujolais (no surprise there). We really had a great time and Steve was very gracious to connect with us fairly last minute.
I have to say, his wines (Edmunds St. John for those of you have haven't made the connection) are just great. I had only had them a couple of times before, as they don't get up to Washington. He is really performing at the top of the craft and I quite liked all three wines we had, which were the 08 Heart of Gold, the 07 Bone Jolly Gamay, and the 05 Bassetti Syrah. I loved the Heart of Gold - a very full but balanced wine in the vein of a high caliber N. Rhone. Lots of florality, some low key tropic fruit and balancing minerality. It would make a great aperitif. The Bone Jolly was just great Gamay, and made me think of the Chermette Traditionelle - a ton of energy, lots of violet and Gamay berry tones. Totally accessible yet very complex. These wines both come from young vines and will just keep getting better. The Bassetti, though pretty closed right now, made me think of Hermitage or a Tournon St. Joseph - serious stuff, less wild and more structured Syrah. Smoke and olives. Really needs quite a bit of time; I would love to try this in 2020.
I was very impressed that though the Heart of Gold and the Bone Jolly were steel tank raised, they showed zero reduction. They were very very clean and pure. Really classic winemaking, and I have to say a great value as well.
We had the pleasure of bumping into Steve and Cornelia at the Slanted Door on Saturday, which was a very nice if brief reprise.
I write all this knowing Steve will be reading all of this, so, thanks Steve!
I have to say, his wines (Edmunds St. John for those of you have haven't made the connection) are just great. I had only had them a couple of times before, as they don't get up to Washington. He is really performing at the top of the craft and I quite liked all three wines we had, which were the 08 Heart of Gold, the 07 Bone Jolly Gamay, and the 05 Bassetti Syrah. I loved the Heart of Gold - a very full but balanced wine in the vein of a high caliber N. Rhone. Lots of florality, some low key tropic fruit and balancing minerality. It would make a great aperitif. The Bone Jolly was just great Gamay, and made me think of the Chermette Traditionelle - a ton of energy, lots of violet and Gamay berry tones. Totally accessible yet very complex. These wines both come from young vines and will just keep getting better. The Bassetti, though pretty closed right now, made me think of Hermitage or a Tournon St. Joseph - serious stuff, less wild and more structured Syrah. Smoke and olives. Really needs quite a bit of time; I would love to try this in 2020.
I was very impressed that though the Heart of Gold and the Bone Jolly were steel tank raised, they showed zero reduction. They were very very clean and pure. Really classic winemaking, and I have to say a great value as well.
We had the pleasure of bumping into Steve and Cornelia at the Slanted Door on Saturday, which was a very nice if brief reprise.
I write all this knowing Steve will be reading all of this, so, thanks Steve!
