Florida Jim
Florida Jim
The birthday boys gathered again at Café la Haye in Sonoma to celebrate the passing of time. We don’t see each other often enough but this ritual is something we all look forward to and make time for. We usually gather at this restaurant, and he who has gained another year is exempted from the check. But we all bring a bottle.
Tradition among friends.
2010 Rhys, Syrah Horseshoe Vineyard:
12.6% alcohol (I think; hard label to read with these eyes); Jamet, Côte Rôtie on the nose that wonderful violet and ash combination that I love about the AOC, clear fruit, some nice spice tones and all of this integrated into something that is greater than the sum of its parts; savory and focused (almost firm) on the palate, barely medium weight but quite intense, immensely complex; lovely, feminine finish. Years from peak but terrific tonight. Oh my!
1992 Grace Family, Cabernet Sauvignon:
13.1% alcohol; from the Gary Galleron days, I believe; begins with a somewhat closed, slightly insecticide nose (weird descriptor, I know, but something I often find in just opened older cab. based wines that exhibit tertiary development), broadens out in minutes and loses that chemical note, mostly dusty, warm red fruit with some truffle notes and a touch of tobacco; much the same in the mouth and quite complex with air; medium length finish that is not drying. The fruit is still strong but as the evening wears on, this begins to come apart, not entirely, but noticeably. What a pleasure to taste this; my first Grace.
2009 Kosta-Brown, Pinot Noir Russian River Valley:
14.5% alcohol; touch of VA on the nose but most at the table found nothing objectionable. Not my style but others loved it.
2009 Revana, Cabernet Sauvignon:
Alcohol unknown; typical Napa cab.; not my style but again, others kept going back for more.
Best, Jim
Tradition among friends.
2010 Rhys, Syrah Horseshoe Vineyard:
12.6% alcohol (I think; hard label to read with these eyes); Jamet, Côte Rôtie on the nose that wonderful violet and ash combination that I love about the AOC, clear fruit, some nice spice tones and all of this integrated into something that is greater than the sum of its parts; savory and focused (almost firm) on the palate, barely medium weight but quite intense, immensely complex; lovely, feminine finish. Years from peak but terrific tonight. Oh my!
1992 Grace Family, Cabernet Sauvignon:
13.1% alcohol; from the Gary Galleron days, I believe; begins with a somewhat closed, slightly insecticide nose (weird descriptor, I know, but something I often find in just opened older cab. based wines that exhibit tertiary development), broadens out in minutes and loses that chemical note, mostly dusty, warm red fruit with some truffle notes and a touch of tobacco; much the same in the mouth and quite complex with air; medium length finish that is not drying. The fruit is still strong but as the evening wears on, this begins to come apart, not entirely, but noticeably. What a pleasure to taste this; my first Grace.
2009 Kosta-Brown, Pinot Noir Russian River Valley:
14.5% alcohol; touch of VA on the nose but most at the table found nothing objectionable. Not my style but others loved it.
2009 Revana, Cabernet Sauvignon:
Alcohol unknown; typical Napa cab.; not my style but again, others kept going back for more.
Best, Jim
