Florida Jim
Florida Jim
Some recent tastes of note:
2014 Two Shepherds, Viognier: reduced at first but decanter time helps; crisp, coiled and complex with no syrupy elements and little alcohol; needs time
1999 Hirtzberger, Gruner Veltliner, Honivogl: crystalline, young, perfect balance an exemplar of GV not much secondary development but so good now I would have to be young and have an immense cellar to stay away from it
2001 Merkelbach, Urzinger Wurgarten, Riesling Spatlese: delicate first impression but it lasts so long in the mouth, it feels powerful; balanced and lovely in a nice place
2015 Idlewild, Cortese: Having tasted several vintages of this, I think this is the most promising; 25% skin-fermented which adds to depth and breadth; perhaps the best pizza wine I have had (and that is high praise from me)
2008 Bedrock, Cuvée Caritas: what once was too oaky to drink is now pretty wonderful showing both its Sauvignon and Semillon elements in harmony - pleasing with and without food
2007 Jules Desjourney, Fleurie: pedestrian but pleasant
1994 Ridge, Montebello: certainly the best Montebello I have had, this bottle was pristine and delivers a grand cru type experience. And at 22, just a teenager
2012 Leo Steen, Chenin Blanc "The Steen": the Jurassic Vineyard in SBC is all sand and the vines in their 40's - the wine reminds me of a mature Foreau sec - truly exceptional
2013 Sante Arcangeli, Pinot Noir, Split Rail Vineyard: Santa Cruz mountain fruit done in a light, feminine style; pleasant now but may have more; needs time
2011 Domaine de Roally, Vire-Clesse: while I see the attraction of this wine it is too sweet for me
2007 Rovellotti, Ghemme: complete, substantial, aromatic and only slightly rustic - a mouthful but a good one
2011 Dirty and Rowdy, Mourvèdre, Santa Barbara Highlands: such a wonderful expression of the grape and place - in love with it
2015 Dupeuble, Beaujolais: fun, fruity, satisfying and a good bargain (but sold out where I got it)
2012 Grassi, Ribolla Gialla: from the Vare Vineyard and about as good as direct press RG gets; has developed some secondary character - smitten by this variety
2013 Clos du Val, Cabernet Sauvignon: I had low expectations but was surprised; nothing out-sized or oaky; a nice drop
2011 Repris, Cabernet Sauvignon: not for me
2013 Site, Rousanne, Stolpman Vineyard: the texture of velvet, with powerful aromas and flavors and considerable depth. Not a grape I have much use for but this impressed to the point I bought a case
2014 Sandlands, Carignane: I have yet to have this grape made into wine that impresses; pleasant but no more
2015 Ryme, Vermentino, Hers: the "hers" designation refers to direct press rather than skin-fermented; brilliant wine with good vermentino character and lots of life
2008 Louise Brinson, Champagne: some secondary character adds interest to an otherwise engaging wine anyway - bought two cases
1999 Juge, Cornas SC: singing in a mostly treble register but singing nonetheless
2011 Monsecco, Vespolina, Barbatasso: powerful, rustic, purple flavors, lots of tannin and a joy with any oily/fatty food
2011 Sandro Fay, Veltellina Superiore: Nebbiolo with finesse, violets, leather, warm cherries all set together just so - no need to rush but good now
2005 de Villaine, Mercury, Les Montots: showed as a pleasant Pinot with just a little more than expected; needs time
1995 ESJ, Syrah, Durrell Vineyard: Syrah of the gods - magnificent
2015 Idlewild, Arneis: this is a whisker away from Giacosa's and I can find it local
2014 Dirty and Rowdy, Mourvèdre, Skinner Stoney Creek Vineyard: denser than most D&R Mourvèdre but still light on its feet - joyous wine
2014 Idlewild, Grenache Gris, Gibson Ranch: no longer produced by this house, one of my personal favorites - like Clairet from Bordeaux - I bought a great deal
2014 Cruse Wine, St. Laurent: alcohol in the 10's, but plenty flavorful, something different but quite good
2013 Vaughn-Duffy, Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley: easy to drink, easy to like
2013 Calluna, Merlot, Aux Raynauds: best merlot in the new world
2012 Argot Wines, Pinot Noir, Madras: from Steiner Ranch on Sonoma Mountain and is obviously mountain fruit - concentrated, rich, tannic and mouth-filling. Bloody good.
Best, Jim
2014 Two Shepherds, Viognier: reduced at first but decanter time helps; crisp, coiled and complex with no syrupy elements and little alcohol; needs time
1999 Hirtzberger, Gruner Veltliner, Honivogl: crystalline, young, perfect balance an exemplar of GV not much secondary development but so good now I would have to be young and have an immense cellar to stay away from it
2001 Merkelbach, Urzinger Wurgarten, Riesling Spatlese: delicate first impression but it lasts so long in the mouth, it feels powerful; balanced and lovely in a nice place
2015 Idlewild, Cortese: Having tasted several vintages of this, I think this is the most promising; 25% skin-fermented which adds to depth and breadth; perhaps the best pizza wine I have had (and that is high praise from me)
2008 Bedrock, Cuvée Caritas: what once was too oaky to drink is now pretty wonderful showing both its Sauvignon and Semillon elements in harmony - pleasing with and without food
2007 Jules Desjourney, Fleurie: pedestrian but pleasant
1994 Ridge, Montebello: certainly the best Montebello I have had, this bottle was pristine and delivers a grand cru type experience. And at 22, just a teenager
2012 Leo Steen, Chenin Blanc "The Steen": the Jurassic Vineyard in SBC is all sand and the vines in their 40's - the wine reminds me of a mature Foreau sec - truly exceptional
2013 Sante Arcangeli, Pinot Noir, Split Rail Vineyard: Santa Cruz mountain fruit done in a light, feminine style; pleasant now but may have more; needs time
2011 Domaine de Roally, Vire-Clesse: while I see the attraction of this wine it is too sweet for me
2007 Rovellotti, Ghemme: complete, substantial, aromatic and only slightly rustic - a mouthful but a good one
2011 Dirty and Rowdy, Mourvèdre, Santa Barbara Highlands: such a wonderful expression of the grape and place - in love with it
2015 Dupeuble, Beaujolais: fun, fruity, satisfying and a good bargain (but sold out where I got it)
2012 Grassi, Ribolla Gialla: from the Vare Vineyard and about as good as direct press RG gets; has developed some secondary character - smitten by this variety
2013 Clos du Val, Cabernet Sauvignon: I had low expectations but was surprised; nothing out-sized or oaky; a nice drop
2011 Repris, Cabernet Sauvignon: not for me
2013 Site, Rousanne, Stolpman Vineyard: the texture of velvet, with powerful aromas and flavors and considerable depth. Not a grape I have much use for but this impressed to the point I bought a case
2014 Sandlands, Carignane: I have yet to have this grape made into wine that impresses; pleasant but no more
2015 Ryme, Vermentino, Hers: the "hers" designation refers to direct press rather than skin-fermented; brilliant wine with good vermentino character and lots of life
2008 Louise Brinson, Champagne: some secondary character adds interest to an otherwise engaging wine anyway - bought two cases
1999 Juge, Cornas SC: singing in a mostly treble register but singing nonetheless
2011 Monsecco, Vespolina, Barbatasso: powerful, rustic, purple flavors, lots of tannin and a joy with any oily/fatty food
2011 Sandro Fay, Veltellina Superiore: Nebbiolo with finesse, violets, leather, warm cherries all set together just so - no need to rush but good now
2005 de Villaine, Mercury, Les Montots: showed as a pleasant Pinot with just a little more than expected; needs time
1995 ESJ, Syrah, Durrell Vineyard: Syrah of the gods - magnificent
2015 Idlewild, Arneis: this is a whisker away from Giacosa's and I can find it local
2014 Dirty and Rowdy, Mourvèdre, Skinner Stoney Creek Vineyard: denser than most D&R Mourvèdre but still light on its feet - joyous wine
2014 Idlewild, Grenache Gris, Gibson Ranch: no longer produced by this house, one of my personal favorites - like Clairet from Bordeaux - I bought a great deal
2014 Cruse Wine, St. Laurent: alcohol in the 10's, but plenty flavorful, something different but quite good
2013 Vaughn-Duffy, Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley: easy to drink, easy to like
2013 Calluna, Merlot, Aux Raynauds: best merlot in the new world
2012 Argot Wines, Pinot Noir, Madras: from Steiner Ranch on Sonoma Mountain and is obviously mountain fruit - concentrated, rich, tannic and mouth-filling. Bloody good.
Best, Jim