Florida Jim
Florida Jim
2007 Franois Cotat, Sancerre Ros:
13% alcohol, $40; saut pomegranate juice, pulp and seeds, splash in some mineral water, ginger ale and verjus and cool slowly not as sweet as on release but still not bone-dry. A unique and persuasive wine that went well with a dish of shrimp, asparagus and goji berries. No hurry to drink as this shows some development already and good structure.
(Aside: what is a wine worth? In this case, this is not just a $40 ros but also a character driven and matchless experience. Of course, if you havent $40 to spend on wine, it is an extravagance. But if you do, it is a chance to taste one of the worlds singular wines. And for as long as I have the $40, Ill opt to do just that. For me, worth it.)
2007 Suore Cistercensi, Coenobium:
13% alcohol, a blend of trebbiano, malvasia, verdicchio and grechetta; reminds me of a skin fermented white but without any oxidation, more tactile and with greater depth then most whites, bone dry, touch of bitter almond, with a salty tang. Interesting on its own but rises to accompany a dish of soba noodles with cabbages and chicken to become something altogether more delicious. About $28, full retail.
1998 Belle Pente, Pinot Noir Estate Reserve:
13.8% alcohol; has softened, smoothed and taken on some bottle bouquet over 12 years but has also turned slightly raisined (which concerns me as this was obviously not over-ripe when picked and it has been continuously stored in my 55 degree cellar since release). The aged character of the wine and the integrated smoothness are attractive the raisins, not so much.
1998 Vieux Tlgraph:
Salty, silky and slightly funky just what a good CdP should be. Not an extraordinary wine but sufficiently above average to make me think the southern Rhne has something to offer me (a guy who isnt fond of grenache). With vegetable hash and olive bread, lip-smackingly yummy.
Best, Jim
13% alcohol, $40; saut pomegranate juice, pulp and seeds, splash in some mineral water, ginger ale and verjus and cool slowly not as sweet as on release but still not bone-dry. A unique and persuasive wine that went well with a dish of shrimp, asparagus and goji berries. No hurry to drink as this shows some development already and good structure.
(Aside: what is a wine worth? In this case, this is not just a $40 ros but also a character driven and matchless experience. Of course, if you havent $40 to spend on wine, it is an extravagance. But if you do, it is a chance to taste one of the worlds singular wines. And for as long as I have the $40, Ill opt to do just that. For me, worth it.)
2007 Suore Cistercensi, Coenobium:
13% alcohol, a blend of trebbiano, malvasia, verdicchio and grechetta; reminds me of a skin fermented white but without any oxidation, more tactile and with greater depth then most whites, bone dry, touch of bitter almond, with a salty tang. Interesting on its own but rises to accompany a dish of soba noodles with cabbages and chicken to become something altogether more delicious. About $28, full retail.
1998 Belle Pente, Pinot Noir Estate Reserve:
13.8% alcohol; has softened, smoothed and taken on some bottle bouquet over 12 years but has also turned slightly raisined (which concerns me as this was obviously not over-ripe when picked and it has been continuously stored in my 55 degree cellar since release). The aged character of the wine and the integrated smoothness are attractive the raisins, not so much.
1998 Vieux Tlgraph:
Salty, silky and slightly funky just what a good CdP should be. Not an extraordinary wine but sufficiently above average to make me think the southern Rhne has something to offer me (a guy who isnt fond of grenache). With vegetable hash and olive bread, lip-smackingly yummy.
Best, Jim
