Heart of Darkness

S

Steven Spielmann

Steven Spielmann
Ken Schramm, 2009, distributed via B. Nektar, bottle 21/110 signed by Ken. This was quite delicious, with lots of dark cherry and currant up front. The wine comparison would obviously be port, but this was cleaner than any good port I've had, and very fresh. In some ways even reminded me of Glenmorangie Lasanta, but again fresher. Super dessert mead and a great pairing for very dark chocolate (as in 90% - the melomel has all the sweetness you need). The palate continues the nose, adding some intriguing pear notes interlaced with kaleidoscopic tropical fruits and a very long black cherry finish. Special bonus: make sure to smell your empty glass about a minute after concluding enjoyment of your last sip - there will be an overpowering residual bouquet of honey, mostly masked by the incredibly potent fruit during drinking.

Ken, if you notice this, does this get any oak treatment? There seemed to be something vaguely tannic in there but the folks who got it from you were pretty sure you didn't use any. Stems? Fruit skins?
 
Wow, thank you Steven. I am humbled. This means a lot to me.

No oak at all, and only a few currant stems. The tannins come from the raspberry and black currant pips. The cherry skins have a little, too, but not nearly as much. I leave the mead on the fruit for the full fermentation, usually about 25-28 days, and then free-run.

Thanks again. I am at a loss for sarcasm. If there is any left, and you can lay your hands on some Société B, it is a really fun pairing, too.
 
Well, port can have some interesting flavors, but at 20%, it's not practical for our table. 14% is about the peak of the practical range, for our home purposes, so this is a wine to consider trying.
 
We commented on the lack of detectable heat, given how full of fruit it was. It's really nice stuff, Ken.

That first bottle is well drunk up - the peak of a New Year's Eve that included some nice champagnes and a really nice 2001 Cava imported by Jose Pastor by way of Cory and Guilhaume. I can see the Société B being a fantastic pairing. I believe my friends also have a bottle of the more recent release, but I'll have to be lucky again to try some of it. :-)

Ian, I think you ought to try this with the Michigan connection and all, but it will be tricky to find indeed.
 
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