Florida Jim
Florida Jim
1998 Chat. Couhins-Lurton, Pessac-Leognan:
100% sauvignon blanc; past it - smells and tastes like sour apples. This wine was way too oaky most of its life and is now starting to oxidize and fall apart. Sad.
IMO, poorly made.
2008 Picq, Chablis:
12.5%, $21; very closed and almost shrill at refrigerator temp.; better as it warms but I am into this bottle too early or else it doesnt have much stuffing. Smells of rocks, tastes of lemons - tart.
2007 Puffeney, Pinot Noir:
Very lifted nose (maybe a touch of VA? But it blows off) and rustic with considerable power; pretty angular. Time in the decanter is its friend as it starts to knit together. Some talcum powder in the nose; lots of iron and hard fruit on the palate. A wine in need of ten years in the cellar. About $30.
Good with rare steak.
2009 Abrente, Albarino:
This is a collaboration between Morgan Twain-Peterson and Michael Havens - and it is not to be missed. The vineyard is Stewart Ranch, one of the few outcroppings of limestone in CA, and the style is bright, fresh and vibrant. 13% alcohol, beautiful, full flavors of Albarino with excellent acids and lovely balance. Needs a year or two to bring the nose up to the palate but an absolutely lovely wine at cellar temperature. Do not over-chill. About $16, full retail. Really delicious.
And another feather in the cap of Morgan who is about to blow us all away in the wine world. A winery to watch.
2007 Donkey and Goat, Syrah Mendocino:
Needs an hour or so in the decanter as it comes out of the bpttle angular and somewhat acidic; after airing this is a beautiful, balanced and silky CA syrah without artifice or spoof. Some complexity, pure flavors that are varietally correct and a fine finish. 13.7% alcohol and a pleasure to drink with dinner.
1999 Barthod, Chambolle-Musigny Fuees:
I hereby take back all the hard things I said about this producer - this wine was stellar - still young but packed with minerals, earth, fruit and spice - complex and changing over the course of the evening. Very well balanced, more open than any wine from this producer I have had and deeply concentrated. But best of all, this wine is more about its savory qualities then some explosion of fruit - its a beautiful reflection of its place and time and a joy to drink.
2000 St. Innocent, Pinot Noir Shea Vnyd.:
Past peak; begining that slide toward vinegar but at a very slow rate. Interesting but not fascinating.
2004 V. Dauvissat, Chablis Les Clos:
Too much green here; green bell pepper and pyrazine on the nose and in the mouth. Unpleasant despite some underlying candied lemon and limestone notes.
Best, Jim
100% sauvignon blanc; past it - smells and tastes like sour apples. This wine was way too oaky most of its life and is now starting to oxidize and fall apart. Sad.
IMO, poorly made.
2008 Picq, Chablis:
12.5%, $21; very closed and almost shrill at refrigerator temp.; better as it warms but I am into this bottle too early or else it doesnt have much stuffing. Smells of rocks, tastes of lemons - tart.
2007 Puffeney, Pinot Noir:
Very lifted nose (maybe a touch of VA? But it blows off) and rustic with considerable power; pretty angular. Time in the decanter is its friend as it starts to knit together. Some talcum powder in the nose; lots of iron and hard fruit on the palate. A wine in need of ten years in the cellar. About $30.
Good with rare steak.
2009 Abrente, Albarino:
This is a collaboration between Morgan Twain-Peterson and Michael Havens - and it is not to be missed. The vineyard is Stewart Ranch, one of the few outcroppings of limestone in CA, and the style is bright, fresh and vibrant. 13% alcohol, beautiful, full flavors of Albarino with excellent acids and lovely balance. Needs a year or two to bring the nose up to the palate but an absolutely lovely wine at cellar temperature. Do not over-chill. About $16, full retail. Really delicious.
And another feather in the cap of Morgan who is about to blow us all away in the wine world. A winery to watch.
2007 Donkey and Goat, Syrah Mendocino:
Needs an hour or so in the decanter as it comes out of the bpttle angular and somewhat acidic; after airing this is a beautiful, balanced and silky CA syrah without artifice or spoof. Some complexity, pure flavors that are varietally correct and a fine finish. 13.7% alcohol and a pleasure to drink with dinner.
1999 Barthod, Chambolle-Musigny Fuees:
I hereby take back all the hard things I said about this producer - this wine was stellar - still young but packed with minerals, earth, fruit and spice - complex and changing over the course of the evening. Very well balanced, more open than any wine from this producer I have had and deeply concentrated. But best of all, this wine is more about its savory qualities then some explosion of fruit - its a beautiful reflection of its place and time and a joy to drink.
2000 St. Innocent, Pinot Noir Shea Vnyd.:
Past peak; begining that slide toward vinegar but at a very slow rate. Interesting but not fascinating.
2004 V. Dauvissat, Chablis Les Clos:
Too much green here; green bell pepper and pyrazine on the nose and in the mouth. Unpleasant despite some underlying candied lemon and limestone notes.
Best, Jim
