(no title)

[Jay Miller]

originally posted by Bill Lundstrom:

originally posted by VS:
I'm starting to worry. Is Spain the only place where former overripeness-overextraction-overoaking fiends are toning their acts down, and some even making drinkable wine? Is all this pessimism justified?

There's cool stuff going o in California these days, believe it or not.

A lot of cool stuff, though not much of it in cabernet. Mayacamas sold, Laurel Glen sold, Karl Lawrence shutting down (though they were less likely to appeal to many Disorderlies). I've heard mixed reports about whether Forman's style changed but most people I trust say yes.

Scherrer still makes a nice restrained cabernet that won't break the bank.

 

[scottreiner]

originally posted by Bill Lundstrom:

originally posted by VS:
I'm starting to worry. Is Spain the only place where former overripeness-overextraction-overoaking fiends are toning their acts down, and some even making drinkable wine? Is all this pessimism justified?

There's cool stuff going o in California these days, believe it or not.

im not a regular imbiber, but: steve matthiason, lioco, steve edmunds, donkey and a goat, wind gap, andy peay, anthill farms, james johnson, arnot roberts, mike dashe, joseph swan, stony hill, littorai

 

[Robert Dentice]

A couple of things to add to the discussion. Charles Banks is partners with Raj Parr in Sandhi and the wines I have had are very good - balanced, restrained and reasonably priced. Banks was really a minor player in Screaming Eagle. There are many winemakers (some young) who are making old school Cabs and I think we will see many more. The biggest challenge is pricing - its VERY expensive to make wine in Napa (e.g. I don't get excited about the Arnot Roberts Cabs at $90 I would rather buy Clos Rougeard). I think if Galloni was still at the WA we would see more - his highest scores were for Dunn. Graeme MacDonald former Scholium Assistant Winemaker will be releasing his first wines very soon from his family plot in To-Kalon and they are made in an old school style.

As much as I am sad about the Mayacamas news I can't say I have bought one in a long time (I have actually been meaning to do this). I keep saying the same thing about Stony Hill.

 

[Robert Dentice]

originally posted by scottreiner:

originally posted by Bill Lundstrom:

originally posted by VS:
I'm starting to worry. Is Spain the only place where former overripeness-overextraction-overoaking fiends are toning their acts down, and some even making drinkable wine? Is all this pessimism justified?

There's cool stuff going o in California these days, believe it or not.

im not a regular imbiber, but: steve matthiason, lioco, steve edmunds, donkey and a goat, wind gap, andy peay, anthill farms, james johnson, arnot roberts, mike dashe, joseph swan, stony hill, littorai

The list is actually much, much longer especially if you include in all of the new labels that have been launched in the last three or so years :

Cowan Cellars, A Tribute to Grace, Littorai, Dirty and Rowdy, MacDonald Vineyards, Tegan Passalacqua's soon to be named/released personal label, Ferdinand, Clos Saron, Rhyme, Hirsch, Kutch, Ceritas, Cobb, Martian Ranch, Los Pilares (amazing ~$20ish wine made near San Diego), Ambyth Estates, Liquid Story....I could go on.

 

[Jay Miller]

originally posted by Robert Dentice:

originally posted by scottreiner:

originally posted by Bill Lundstrom:

originally posted by VS:
I'm starting to worry. Is Spain the only place where former overripeness-overextraction-overoaking fiends are toning their acts down, and some even making drinkable wine? Is all this pessimism justified?

There's cool stuff going o in California these days, believe it or not.

im not a regular imbiber, but: steve matthiason, lioco, steve edmunds, donkey and a goat, wind gap, andy peay, anthill farms, james johnson, arnot roberts, mike dashe, joseph swan, stony hill, littorai

The list is actually much, much longer especially if you include in all of the new labels that have been launched in the last three or so years :

Cowen Cellars, A Tribute to Grace, Littorai, Dirty and Rowdy, MacDonald Vineyards, Tegan Passalacqua's soon to be named/released personal label, Ferdinand, Clos Saron, Rhyme, Hirsch, Kutch, Ceritas, Cobb, Martian Ranch, Los Pilares (amazing ~$20ish wine made near San Diego), Ambyth Estates, Liquid Story....I could go on.

But how many of them are making Cabernet?

 

[VLM]

originally posted by Bill Lundstrom:

originally posted by VS:
I'm starting to worry. Is Spain the only place where former overripeness-overextraction-overoaking fiends are toning their acts down, and some even making drinkable wine? Is all this pessimism justified?

There's cool stuff going o in California these days, believe it or not.

It's just not in Napa. Sonoma and points North as well as SCM and some stuff in the Central Coast. I've never been as excited by CA wine as I am right now.

Been hooked on Hobo Branham zinfandel lately.

Had an Arnot-Roberts Clary Ranch last night that was like no other wine I've ever had.

And of course there is Broc.

And some crazy old man making skin contact sauvignon.

 

[VLM]

originally posted by Robert Dentice:

originally posted by scottreiner:

originally posted by Bill Lundstrom:

originally posted by VS:
I'm starting to worry. Is Spain the only place where former overripeness-overextraction-overoaking fiends are toning their acts down, and some even making drinkable wine? Is all this pessimism justified?

There's cool stuff going o in California these days, believe it or not.

im not a regular imbiber, but: steve matthiason, lioco, steve edmunds, donkey and a goat, wind gap, andy peay, anthill farms, james johnson, arnot roberts, mike dashe, joseph swan, stony hill, littorai

The list is actually much, much longer especially if you include in all of the new labels that have been launched in the last three or so years :

Cowan Cellars, A Tribute to Grace, Littorai, Dirty and Rowdy, MacDonald Vineyards, Tegan Passalacqua's soon to be named/released personal label, Ferdinand, Clos Saron, Rhyme, Hirsch, Kutch, Ceritas, Cobb, Martian Ranch, Los Pilares (amazing ~$20ish wine made near San Diego), Ambyth Estates, Liquid Story....I could go on.

Yep, and great point about cabernet above. But that can get sorted out. Cabernet isn't as fickle as other grapes when it comes to terroir, so you can make viable wines from different places.

 

[Robert Dentice]

originally posted by Jay Miller:

originally posted by Robert Dentice:

originally posted by scottreiner:

originally posted by Bill Lundstrom:

originally posted by VS:
I'm starting to worry. Is Spain the only place where former overripeness-overextraction-overoaking fiends are toning their acts down, and some even making drinkable wine? Is all this pessimism justified?

There's cool stuff going o in California these days, believe it or not.

im not a regular imbiber, but: steve matthiason, lioco, steve edmunds, donkey and a goat, wind gap, andy peay, anthill farms, james johnson, arnot roberts, mike dashe, joseph swan, stony hill, littorai

The list is actually much, much longer especially if you include in all of the new labels that have been launched in the last three or so years :

Cowen Cellars, A Tribute to Grace, Littorai, Dirty and Rowdy, MacDonald Vineyards, Tegan Passalacqua's soon to be named/released personal label, Ferdinand, Clos Saron, Rhyme, Hirsch, Kutch, Ceritas, Cobb, Martian Ranch, Los Pilares (amazing ~$20ish wine made near San Diego), Ambyth Estates, Liquid Story....I could go on.

But how many of them are making Cabernet?

Point taken. Price to produce Cab in Cali is too prohibitive. I have tasted Graeme's Cab from To-Kalon and I an extremely excited to see his evolution.

If you do not mind green flavors in your Cab I think the Finger Lakes as Global Warming continues will be a great place to make affordable Cab Sauv and Cab Franc.

 

[scottreiner]

originally posted by Jay Miller:

originally posted by Robert Dentice:

originally posted by scottreiner:

originally posted by Bill Lundstrom:

originally posted by VS:
I'm starting to worry. Is Spain the only place where former overripeness-overextraction-overoaking fiends are toning their acts down, and some even making drinkable wine? Is all this pessimism justified?

There's cool stuff going o in California these days, believe it or not.

im not a regular imbiber, but: steve matthiason, lioco, steve edmunds, donkey and a goat, wind gap, andy peay, anthill farms, james johnson, arnot roberts, mike dashe, joseph swan, stony hill, littorai

The list is actually much, much longer especially if you include in all of the new labels that have been launched in the last three or so years :

Cowen Cellars, A Tribute to Grace, Littorai, Dirty and Rowdy, MacDonald Vineyards, Tegan Passalacqua's soon to be named/released personal label, Ferdinand, Clos Saron, Rhyme, Hirsch, Kutch, Ceritas, Cobb, Martian Ranch, Los Pilares (amazing ~$20ish wine made near San Diego), Ambyth Estates, Liquid Story....I could go on.

But how many of them are making Cabernet?

try the wines of james johnson, bisou and calin. early picking, good acid and structure, built to age.

 

[Steven Van Haren]

First release of Stony Hill Cabernet Sauvignon (2009) was very promising. Tasted a few bottles fresh, and I think it will need some time to shed its baby fat, but then their Chardonnays age so nicely... Also love Corison, and I think the Detert Cabernets are too often overlooked. EDIT: I happily distribute all three in NYC.

 

[Robert Dentice]

How about a CowAn Cellers Napa Disorder Cab!

 

[Jeff Grossman]

originally posted by Steven Van Haren:
...I think the Detert Cabernets are too often overlooked.

Steve, I think you should mention that you work for the importer and distributor.

 

[Claude Kolm]

originally posted by VLM:

originally posted by Bill Lundstrom:

originally posted by VS:
I'm starting to worry. Is Spain the only place where former overripeness-overextraction-overoaking fiends are toning their acts down, and some even making drinkable wine? Is all this pessimism justified?

There's cool stuff going o in California these days, believe it or not.

It's just not in Napa. Sonoma and points North as well as SCM and some stuff in the Central Coast. I've never been as excited by CA wine as I am right now.

You forgot Anderson Valley (well, technically it may be "points north," but really more west than north), but that's ok -- still the same as it was 30+ years ago, and let's hope it stays that way.

 

[VLM]

originally posted by Jeff Grossman:

originally posted by Steven Van Haren:
...I think the Detert Cabernets are too often overlooked.

Steve, I think you should mention that you work for the importer and distributor.

Well, you mentioned it so now we know.

Do I need to mention that I have an interest in a wine shop every time I post about wines that we sell? We sell them because we like them and I comment on them to try to convince you to buy them from us. So buy some wine goddammit!!!

 

[Steven Van Haren]

originally posted by Jeff Grossman:

originally posted by Steven Van Haren:
...I think the Detert Cabernets are too often overlooked.

Steve, I think you should mention that you work for the importer and distributor.

I proudly work for Michael Skurnik. Thought it said so in my profile. Will edit.

Regards and Thanks!

 

[Peter Creasey]

originally posted by Steve Edmunds: Banks (former Screaming Eagle owner) bought Mayacamas.

Steve, Thanks for posting this...especially for posting it without a title as this made me click on the wine glass and discover that clicking on the wine glass takes me directly to the new postings (apparently the new ones since my last visit).

. . . . . Pete

 

[Florida Jim]

originally posted by Robert Dentice:

How about a CowAn Cellers Napa Disorder Cab!

Cabernet is a weed.
Best, Jim

 

[Unknown]

originally posted by VLM:
Do I need to mention that I have an interest in a wine shop every time I post about wines that we sell?

yeah, so we finally take your wine reviews seriously

 

[Lou Kessler]

originally posted by .sasha:

originally posted by VLM:
Do I need to mention that I have an interest in a wine shop every time I post about wines that we sell?

yeah, so we finally take your wine reviews seriously

Having an interest in a wine shop I make a point of practically never mentioning any wines by name because of the obvious conflict of interest. I mentioned Corison because that particular wine has been mentioned here on numerous occasions.
There is a trend away from the over the top Parkerized wines here in the valley.
Of course there will always remain the wines that spook the disorderlies otherwise what the hell would they bitch about?

 

[Sharon Bowman]

Cedric Bouchard.