Florida Jim
Florida Jim
Another very fine evening with friends at the Fig Café in Glen Ellen. I really love this place; informal and casual yet still white table cloth; solid bistro type food, much of it comfort style; servers I know and like, reasonable prices and no corkage. I don’t eat here often enough . . . but I try.
This night is for celebrating the engagement of Bree and Katrena and to wish bon voyage to Argot as he heads for the Windy city.
2008 Quinto do Feital, Vinho Verde Dorado Alvarinho Superior:
13% alcohol; spends one year on the lees and two in tank before bottling, from 70 year old vines, organically farmed, low sulphur not fizzy like most Vinho Verde; medium yellow and brilliant; apples, leesy, hints of butterscotch, smoke and stones; dense and very lightly oxidative; bruised apples, resin, minerals and a grippy/leesy feel; long, clean, and unique. Nice as a starter and excellent with what appears to be a Spanish style paella with chicken instead of seafood.
1968 Inglenook, Charbono:
From Justin’s cellar and a very kind bring in honor of the happy couple; rock solid cork with almost no stain above the end, decanted off some sediment, almost purple color, fresh and young on both the nose and palate and while it does not fall-off over several hours, it does soften some. On several occasions I think that it is impossible for this to be 43 years old but who counterfeits domestic charbono?!
Its rich, bright, shows very young, has considerable tannin but so much fruit it can hide the grip, not especially complex but a sort of tricky depth that, from time-to-time, releases different flavors and smells.
A remarkable wine on longevity alone.
1998 and 1999 Dehlinger, Pinot Noir, Goldridge Vnyd.:
Quite similar at first but, over time, the ’98 slides off into aged, forest floor tones and the ’99 pumps out a classic Russian River cherry experience. By the end of the evening, the ’98 is faltering and the ’99 is just getting started.
Both are sound, of interest and good accompaniment to the chicken dish.
Best, Jim
This night is for celebrating the engagement of Bree and Katrena and to wish bon voyage to Argot as he heads for the Windy city.
2008 Quinto do Feital, Vinho Verde Dorado Alvarinho Superior:
13% alcohol; spends one year on the lees and two in tank before bottling, from 70 year old vines, organically farmed, low sulphur not fizzy like most Vinho Verde; medium yellow and brilliant; apples, leesy, hints of butterscotch, smoke and stones; dense and very lightly oxidative; bruised apples, resin, minerals and a grippy/leesy feel; long, clean, and unique. Nice as a starter and excellent with what appears to be a Spanish style paella with chicken instead of seafood.
1968 Inglenook, Charbono:
From Justin’s cellar and a very kind bring in honor of the happy couple; rock solid cork with almost no stain above the end, decanted off some sediment, almost purple color, fresh and young on both the nose and palate and while it does not fall-off over several hours, it does soften some. On several occasions I think that it is impossible for this to be 43 years old but who counterfeits domestic charbono?!
Its rich, bright, shows very young, has considerable tannin but so much fruit it can hide the grip, not especially complex but a sort of tricky depth that, from time-to-time, releases different flavors and smells.
A remarkable wine on longevity alone.
1998 and 1999 Dehlinger, Pinot Noir, Goldridge Vnyd.:
Quite similar at first but, over time, the ’98 slides off into aged, forest floor tones and the ’99 pumps out a classic Russian River cherry experience. By the end of the evening, the ’98 is faltering and the ’99 is just getting started.
Both are sound, of interest and good accompaniment to the chicken dish.
Best, Jim