It's October! What are you drinking?

S

Sharon Bowman

Sharon Bowman
Fall is finally here, with the last scraps of sweaty summer blown away by low dew point breezes. Our good friend hurricane season approaches, along with a pack of buoyant LDM vignerons, and our glasses tremble in anticipation both tense and eager.

Last night I had another seizingly good drink of 2014 Pepiere. Dang. I cannot not drink these. So little will remain.

You guys?
 
With the arrival of cooler temperatures, our attentions turn again to red wines. Got a number of older CNdP that need drinking, as well as some domestic Syrah. For balance, we'll have to broach some of our Burgundy and Cru Beaujolais. It also means that shipping season is back, so my '14 Pepiere will at long last arrive.

Greetings and salivations,
Mark Lipton
 
planning to revisit some 2005 beaujolais. 10-years seems to be a good spot for my tastes.

mark - you planning on being up in chicago at some point soon?
 
Last night we drank the 2014 Clos de la Roilette, the regular bottling. I wanted to try a 2014 Beaujolais as I've read lots of praise for the vintage but haven't tasted a bottle yet. Also my son was picking up chicken mole enchiladas from a place here that does a decent version of mole, and I like Beaujolais with this dish.

Anyway the wine was very expressive. Warm and ripe fruited nose, almost approaching the candied side of the spectrum. A little soft on entry. With air it gains some wet rock mineral complexity but its mostly about the fruit. There are substantial tannins that frame things up, and I would have liked a touch more acidity. It's a very nice version of this, but it calls to mind the 2009 vintage for me. The fruit isn't as baked as '09, and maybe there is less tannin but the similarities are there. So if you didn't love the 2009 Beaujolais, you may want to taste the 2014s before buying mass quantities.

Nothing worse then an absurd vintage generalization after just one bottle!
But I think I'll be tasting before purchasing when possible.

I would love to hear others takes on 2014 Beaujolais.
 
originally posted by Marc D:
I would love to hear others takes on 2014 Beaujolais.
Click to expand...

Here's one data point: Although muscular with concentrated fruit, Lapierre cuvee MMXIV is definitely not overripe.

For my part this October, I'm drinking a generous amount of Barbera d'Alba from the Roeri hills. A great balance of ripe fruit, acid, and tannins that drinks easily in both the warm days and chill nights of autumn in Michigan. Lean lamb burgers and vegetable stews.
 
originally posted by Todd Abrams:
originally posted by Marc D:
I would love to hear others takes on 2014 Beaujolais.
Click to expand...

Here's one data point: Although muscular with concentrated fruit, Lapierre cuvee MMXIV is definitely not overripe.

For my part this October, I'm drinking a generous amount of Barbera d'Alba from the Roeri hills. A great balance of ripe fruit, acid, and tannins that drinks easily in both the warm days and chill nights of autumn in Michigan. Lean lamb burgers and vegetable stews.
Click to expand...

Thanks.

I like Barbera but could use some suggestions for ones to seek without a preponderance of wood flavors/tannins.

I like the fruit and acid but the combination with new oak doesn't work for me.
 
2013 Hilberg-Pasquero is the one I'm drinking. 12 months in stainless and 8 months in bottle. There's only a preponderance of deliciousness.
 
originally posted by Matt Latuchie:
planning to revisit some 2005 beaujolais. 10-years seems to be a good spot for my tastes.

mark - you planning on being up in chicago at some point soon?
Click to expand...

Whenever I get the invitation, Matt [insert emoticon here]

Mark Lipton
 
originally posted by Todd Abrams:
...the warm days and chill nights of autumn in Michigan. Lean lamb burgers and vegetable stews.
Click to expand...

Now I want a lamb burger. And a Michigan autumn! That does sound nice.

Do you ever read Jim Harrison?
 
originally posted by Marc D:
originally posted by Todd Abrams:
originally posted by Marc D:
I would love to hear others takes on 2014 Beaujolais.
Click to expand...

Here's one data point: Although muscular with concentrated fruit, Lapierre cuvee MMXIV is definitely not overripe.

For my part this October, I'm drinking a generous amount of Barbera d'Alba from the Roeri hills. A great balance of ripe fruit, acid, and tannins that drinks easily in both the warm days and chill nights of autumn in Michigan. Lean lamb burgers and vegetable stews.
Click to expand...

Thanks.

I like Barbera but could use some suggestions for ones to seek without a preponderance of wood flavors/tannins.

I like the fruit and acid but the combination with new oak doesn't work for me.
Click to expand...

Marc- Might try the Burlotto Barbera. They have them down at Old World right now. The Brovia Dolcetto is a nice one from the shelf there too.
 
2009 Brun Fleurie, Terres Dorées. Beautiful dark color, hefty, some mineral, still some tannin. Fine acidity. Fun to drink, though a little heavier than most Beaujolais.
 
originally posted by Todd Abrams:
originally posted by Sharon Bowman:

Do you ever read Jim Harrison?
Click to expand...

Of course. I'm partial to his essays and poetry over his fiction writing. Have you read his essay on the Spirit of Wine?
Click to expand...

Agreed, and yes! Thanks for the link.

I've been thinking of him since Kirk mentioned naming his dogs Raw and Cooked.

ETA: One of my favorite pieces of his is also the 37-course lunch in Vézelay.
 
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