Florida Jim
Florida Jim
The Family Winemakers Tasting was held at Fort Mason, in San Francisco yesterday and we went down to see what it’s all about. I don’t think I should have gone - nothing like being reminded of how much competition there is in this business.
Nonetheless, several wines made an impression:
The 2001 Corison, Cabernet Sauvignon is a pretty wine and so unlike most of its Napa cab. peers(?) as to be remarkable. For those who have it in the cellar, this was decanted most of the day and never lost a thing.
The vineyard designated pinots from Hartford Family (a/k/a Hartford Court) were head and shoulders more intense and substantive than any others I tried. Excellent grip and length without drying tannins. Pricey, to be sure, but certainly candidates for being worth it.
Lagier Meredith is now making mondeuse (rouge); it’s an amplified version of the Savoy wines with a ripe, rich and pretty well balanced delivery that is full of flavor and unique, as far as I know, in the country. Forty-five cases produced and will probably sell for $45; not for everyone but I like something that’s different and this is.
The 2007 Westerhold Family syrah is now fulfilling its promise as a fine and integrated Bennett Valley syrah. No oak showing and a suppleness that has only come with time in the bottle. Fine wine.
Grey Stack’s sauvignon blanc (the Italian clone) is spectacular; its rich without being cloying, has plenty of cut and the flavors are juicy without going all tropical. Very nice but sold out.
The dry riesling from Mike Dasche is not to be missed. More complex then I would ever have expected and really well made. I tried several other rieslings but none (not even Navarro’s) even came close. $20, btw.
Last year I tried Ladd Cellars pinot from the Abigail vineyard on the Sonoma Coast and was impressed by its lithe, graceful delivery. This year, again, it led the way as a feminine, precise pinot. A bargain at $36.
Lots of nice folks but none I enjoyed talking to more than Barbara Richards of Paloma. We have known each other a long time now and chatting with her is a breath of fresh air whether it’s in the Ft. Mason pavilion or on her back porch over looking Napa Valley.
I was actually thinking that I might miss this event next year; walking and standing on concrete for 5 hours isn’t as easy as it used to be. But then I’d miss Barb and that would be unthinkable.
Best, Jim
Nonetheless, several wines made an impression:
The 2001 Corison, Cabernet Sauvignon is a pretty wine and so unlike most of its Napa cab. peers(?) as to be remarkable. For those who have it in the cellar, this was decanted most of the day and never lost a thing.
The vineyard designated pinots from Hartford Family (a/k/a Hartford Court) were head and shoulders more intense and substantive than any others I tried. Excellent grip and length without drying tannins. Pricey, to be sure, but certainly candidates for being worth it.
Lagier Meredith is now making mondeuse (rouge); it’s an amplified version of the Savoy wines with a ripe, rich and pretty well balanced delivery that is full of flavor and unique, as far as I know, in the country. Forty-five cases produced and will probably sell for $45; not for everyone but I like something that’s different and this is.
The 2007 Westerhold Family syrah is now fulfilling its promise as a fine and integrated Bennett Valley syrah. No oak showing and a suppleness that has only come with time in the bottle. Fine wine.
Grey Stack’s sauvignon blanc (the Italian clone) is spectacular; its rich without being cloying, has plenty of cut and the flavors are juicy without going all tropical. Very nice but sold out.
The dry riesling from Mike Dasche is not to be missed. More complex then I would ever have expected and really well made. I tried several other rieslings but none (not even Navarro’s) even came close. $20, btw.
Last year I tried Ladd Cellars pinot from the Abigail vineyard on the Sonoma Coast and was impressed by its lithe, graceful delivery. This year, again, it led the way as a feminine, precise pinot. A bargain at $36.
Lots of nice folks but none I enjoyed talking to more than Barbara Richards of Paloma. We have known each other a long time now and chatting with her is a breath of fresh air whether it’s in the Ft. Mason pavilion or on her back porch over looking Napa Valley.
I was actually thinking that I might miss this event next year; walking and standing on concrete for 5 hours isn’t as easy as it used to be. But then I’d miss Barb and that would be unthinkable.
Best, Jim
