Florida Jim
Florida Jim
2005 Dom. Vissoux, Fleurie Poncie:
A different sort of wine from what it was on release gone is the hyper-juicy, vivacious fruit bomb of youth this is firmer, somewhat closed, with more discrete fruit and considerable structure. I loved this on release, I like it now. Following it into the future should be a fascinating exercise.
1999 Hamacher, Pinot Noir:
Once opened to the air for an hour or so, a pretty stunning version of Oregon pinot black cherry predominates but there is nuance and depth. Still a young wine and no bottle bouquet as yet. A lesson for me well made pinot noirs shelf-life is much longer then one expects this, at ten years, is barely an adolescent.
2008 Navarro, Muscat Blanc Dry:
I have written on this before a lovely wine.
I took a bottle to a tasting at a local wine store. The store opened several inventory bottles to taste in hopes of selling them and this sort of stole the show. Ill try to be more considerate of that retail motive in the future. But it really is a wine that stands out and it appeals to a fair cross-section of wine drinkers. 13.6% alcohol, $19 (less by the case) and they ship a case anywhere in the U.S. for one cent.
2002 Gravity Hills, Syrah Killer Climb:
13.9% alcohol from Paso (west side); from what I understand, GH does not get the fruit from this vineyard anymore wish I knew who did; very dark on the nose, black plum, freshly turned earth, faint red fruit accents and an allspice/nutmeg note; very concentrated in the mouth with bright flavors that follow the nose and add a cooked fruit/slightly bitter/Bakers chocolate note, balanced, a worsted almost rustic texture, well integrated but the structure is always playing in the background; long, dry (but not drying) finish. Although this is CA fruit it has the structure and even some of the nuance of Hermitage. I look forward to trying this over the next decade or so.
I suspect some folks will like this and some wont I love it.
Best, Jim
A different sort of wine from what it was on release gone is the hyper-juicy, vivacious fruit bomb of youth this is firmer, somewhat closed, with more discrete fruit and considerable structure. I loved this on release, I like it now. Following it into the future should be a fascinating exercise.
1999 Hamacher, Pinot Noir:
Once opened to the air for an hour or so, a pretty stunning version of Oregon pinot black cherry predominates but there is nuance and depth. Still a young wine and no bottle bouquet as yet. A lesson for me well made pinot noirs shelf-life is much longer then one expects this, at ten years, is barely an adolescent.
2008 Navarro, Muscat Blanc Dry:
I have written on this before a lovely wine.
I took a bottle to a tasting at a local wine store. The store opened several inventory bottles to taste in hopes of selling them and this sort of stole the show. Ill try to be more considerate of that retail motive in the future. But it really is a wine that stands out and it appeals to a fair cross-section of wine drinkers. 13.6% alcohol, $19 (less by the case) and they ship a case anywhere in the U.S. for one cent.
2002 Gravity Hills, Syrah Killer Climb:
13.9% alcohol from Paso (west side); from what I understand, GH does not get the fruit from this vineyard anymore wish I knew who did; very dark on the nose, black plum, freshly turned earth, faint red fruit accents and an allspice/nutmeg note; very concentrated in the mouth with bright flavors that follow the nose and add a cooked fruit/slightly bitter/Bakers chocolate note, balanced, a worsted almost rustic texture, well integrated but the structure is always playing in the background; long, dry (but not drying) finish. Although this is CA fruit it has the structure and even some of the nuance of Hermitage. I look forward to trying this over the next decade or so.
I suspect some folks will like this and some wont I love it.
Best, Jim