Steven Spielmann
Steven Spielmann
One reason that I like to write down something about every wine I drink is to more fully incorporate it into my being. Maybe it's a crutch, but I need it. Didn't do that this weekend and am already feeling like I am losing the thread. Reconstructions:
Domaine Coteau Eola-Amity Hills Pinot Noir Reserve 2006 had very nice, rich fruit and some Willamette typicity but was too hot for me. Big hit with the others at the table and I wouldn't say it was bad, but its heat detracted from my enjoyment.
Schafer-Frohlich Bockenauer Felseneck Spatlese 2008 was very delicious although I was pounding it ice-cold with bratwurst while grilling so I suspect I 'wasted' the bottle in terms of the full opportunities for sensory discrimination it might have provided. A lot of what I've enjoyed in other '08 QBA/Kab/Spat Rieslings was in this bottle though.
Edmunds St. John Bone-Jolly Gamay Witters Vineyard 2009 was lovely, had some real material to support the fruit, smooth drinking - 'you could make a Rose drinker out of me yet,' said my highly appreciative Berkeley-born-and-bred Chateauneuf-loving friend. I really enjoyed this as well, probably the most out of these six bottles, and will seek out more ESJ Gamay.
Larmandier-Bernier Coteaux Champenoise 2002 was also lovely, pert, tart, correct pinot noir with just a hint of richness in the body to hold it together. I think this will be fully coming into its own in another couple of years - the fruit in this bottle was much more expressive than in a previous one I tried. Based on very limited experience I am starting to think that CC pinot noir in good vintages with a decade or two bottle's age to calm down the tartness is worth seeking out.
Nalle Zinfandel 2005 continues to be my favorite rendition of this grape, with the possible exception of some old Ridge Lytton Springs I've tried here and there. I do like Dashe L'Enfant Terrible but given a straight-up choice I think I'd take Nalle over it 8 times out of 10. 13.9 degrees. Elegant fruit, all the brambles in the right places. All six of these bottles passed, but it was interesting to me that the three USA wines were probably bigger hits with the group than the three Europeans this time out. Maybe even with me!
Pierre Peters Rose of Albane Champagne NV was actually rather similar to the Bone-Jolly but with bubbles, a signature champagne tartness/acidity, and that delightfully understated Peters elegance. Also, really nice color, a deep and sophisticated pink, though I'm still baffled as to why I or anyone should mention or care about such things. Very good, though it's hard to justify the cost for these champagne roses in a way, given that other regions seem to be much more competitive with sparkling pinks at much lower prices. I guess some of the very high-end ones age beautifully, and this might as well, but the fresh fruit attractions were strong enough to make it good right now.
Domaine Coteau Eola-Amity Hills Pinot Noir Reserve 2006 had very nice, rich fruit and some Willamette typicity but was too hot for me. Big hit with the others at the table and I wouldn't say it was bad, but its heat detracted from my enjoyment.
Schafer-Frohlich Bockenauer Felseneck Spatlese 2008 was very delicious although I was pounding it ice-cold with bratwurst while grilling so I suspect I 'wasted' the bottle in terms of the full opportunities for sensory discrimination it might have provided. A lot of what I've enjoyed in other '08 QBA/Kab/Spat Rieslings was in this bottle though.
Edmunds St. John Bone-Jolly Gamay Witters Vineyard 2009 was lovely, had some real material to support the fruit, smooth drinking - 'you could make a Rose drinker out of me yet,' said my highly appreciative Berkeley-born-and-bred Chateauneuf-loving friend. I really enjoyed this as well, probably the most out of these six bottles, and will seek out more ESJ Gamay.
Larmandier-Bernier Coteaux Champenoise 2002 was also lovely, pert, tart, correct pinot noir with just a hint of richness in the body to hold it together. I think this will be fully coming into its own in another couple of years - the fruit in this bottle was much more expressive than in a previous one I tried. Based on very limited experience I am starting to think that CC pinot noir in good vintages with a decade or two bottle's age to calm down the tartness is worth seeking out.
Nalle Zinfandel 2005 continues to be my favorite rendition of this grape, with the possible exception of some old Ridge Lytton Springs I've tried here and there. I do like Dashe L'Enfant Terrible but given a straight-up choice I think I'd take Nalle over it 8 times out of 10. 13.9 degrees. Elegant fruit, all the brambles in the right places. All six of these bottles passed, but it was interesting to me that the three USA wines were probably bigger hits with the group than the three Europeans this time out. Maybe even with me!
Pierre Peters Rose of Albane Champagne NV was actually rather similar to the Bone-Jolly but with bubbles, a signature champagne tartness/acidity, and that delightfully understated Peters elegance. Also, really nice color, a deep and sophisticated pink, though I'm still baffled as to why I or anyone should mention or care about such things. Very good, though it's hard to justify the cost for these champagne roses in a way, given that other regions seem to be much more competitive with sparkling pinks at much lower prices. I guess some of the very high-end ones age beautifully, and this might as well, but the fresh fruit attractions were strong enough to make it good right now.