Impressions

Florida Jim

Florida Jim

Florida Jim
Relatively recent pours

White:
2015 Granbazan, Albariño, Etiqueta Ambar - from an often good producer, a vintage that overachieved; bought more
2012 Paolo Bea, Santa Chiara - complexity, clarity, delightful
1991 Coulee de Serrant - best bottle of this ever; a life list wine
? Archineli, Etna Bianco - all Carricante and all yummy (Bill, can you help with vintage?)
2014 Brun, Beaujolais Blanc - clean, fresh but not exciting
2013 Casa Dumetz, Gerwertztraminer, Santa Ynez Valley - gerwertz without cloy, like it
2015 Ryme, Vermentino, Hers - never misses, charming wine
2014 Giacosa, Arneis - lovely, as always
2010 Marestel, Rousette de Savoie, Altesse - all one could ask of this grape, benchmark stuff
2012 Leo Steen, Chenin Blanc, The Steen - special wine, I bought mucho

Red:
2009 Edmunds St. John, Rocks and Gravel, Dry Creek Valley - another R&G that makes me wish Steve still made this
2013 Imagery, Lagrein - big surprise, this was delicious albeit overpriced
2012 Stolpman Vineyards, Originals Syrah, Ballard Canyon - light and pleasant but I'd drink this sooner than later
2011 Sandro Fay, Valtellina Superior, Costa Bassa - inexpensive Nebbiolo that would impress even at twice the price, very good, bought a case
2011 Ar Pepe, Valtellina Sassella, Riserva - god awful
2015 Frenchtown Farms, Cotillion - blend of Syrah, Carignan, Zinfandel and Semillon; pleasant but showing sort of low brow for the moment; would be interesting to follow
2014 Argot, Pinot Noir, Steiner Ranch "Madras" - beautiful label but the wine needs to unwind, hold
1997 Edmunds St. John, Sangiovese "Matagrano" - showing its years but also its place
2015 Dupeuble, Beaujolais - better on release, these days my impression is holding it is a good idea
2002 Joel Taluau, Saint-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil VV - disjointed, tannic and green; no thanks
2014 Black Trumpet, Syrah, Sonoma Coast - fruit from Heinz Vineyard, impressive; intense but not heavy, nuanced with aromas and flavors that are not fruit but it's still fruit filled, good texture and length; a new venture and a worthy one
2009 Aldo Conterno, Barolo, Bussia - not near the weight or volume I expected but charming, ready and throughly enjoyable
2013 Sandlands, Trousseau - aromas, flavors, fruit and dryness all of a piece, a pleasure to drink
2001 Jamet, Cote Rotie: good but not great, better in its youth
2013 Dom. Serene, Pinot Noir, Yamhill Cuvée - nice wine but too oaky for me.
2005 Baudry, Chinon, La Croix Boissee - I am finally convinced that the Chinon I love is that which is made to be drunk the day of release and costs little; this is too green

Neither:
2014 Idlewild, Grenache Gris, Gibson Ranch - not a rose but more akin to Clairet in color; rich in the mouth but with a dry/savory streak that runs from first sip to last taste. Developing some layers and harmony as it gains bottle time. A deep and beautiful wine that I am convinced will age well. I bought several cases.

Best, Jim
 
Interesting that you had such a bad experience with the ArPePe. After a very good first experience a few years ago, I've had quite a few disappointments across different cuvées.
 
originally posted by Florida Jim: Impressions
2013 Dom. Serene, Pinot Noir, Yamhill Cuvée - nice wine but too oaky for me.
Click to expand...

Jim, thanks!

Someone gave me a bottle of Dom. Serene. I was expecting nice things from it, but less so now after seeing your "oaky" comment.

. . . . Pete
 
Jim- the Etna Bianco was 2014 Pietradolce Archineri. 100-120 year old vines grown at an elevation of 2800 feet.

The AR PE PE was bizarre indeed. i suspect heat damage.
 
originally posted by Florida Jim:
ImpressionsRelatively recent pours

2002 Joel Taluau, Saint-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil VV - disjointed, tannic and green; no thanks
Click to expand...

Interesting. I do not recall ever reading a favorable review of this wine of this vintage. Every review seems to include "too young", "hold" or "come back in xx years". I'll continue to forget that I have a bottle of this.

2005 Baudry, Chinon, La Croix Boissee - I am finally convinced that the Chinon I love is that which is made to be drunk the day of release and costs little; this is too green
Click to expand...

I feel you on these. The total lack of fruit in these can be fatiguing. I have yet to find a food pairing that will successfully bring the fruit forward.
 
originally posted by Bill Lundstrom:
Jim- the Etna Bianco was 2014 Pietradolce Archineri. 100-120 year old vines grown at an elevation of 2800 feet.

The Pietradolce wines are very good. Tasted the entry level Bianco 2015, Archineri Rosso 2014 and Barbagalli 2011 last night. All of interest here I would think.
Click to expand...
 
originally posted by Florida Jim:

2011 Sandro Fay, Valtellina Superior, Costa Bassa - inexpensive Nebbiolo that would impress even at twice the price, very good, bought a case
Click to expand...

I'm a fan of Sandro Fay's Sforzato. It seemed like the 2011 Ca' Morei also had some element of passito in the mix -- It was far more rich than one would expect. Did you experience this with the Costa Bassa?
 
originally posted by Todd Abrams:
originally posted by Florida Jim:

2011 Sandro Fay, Valtellina Superior, Costa Bassa - inexpensive Nebbiolo that would impress even at twice the price, very good, bought a case
Click to expand...

I'm a fan of Sandro Fay's Sforzato. It seemed like the 2011 Ca' Morei also had some element of passito in the mix -- It was far more rich than one would expect. Did you experience this with the Costa Bassa?
Click to expand...
I would call it the lighter side of Nebbiolo - pretty, lightweight, nuanced. No passito to my taste.
Best, Jim
 
originally posted by Todd Abrams:
What do you mean when you say better?
Click to expand...

I mean, in my personal opinion, Fay is lame wine, and stylized point fodder polished over for people who don't like Nebbiolo, grandmothers who can't taste anymore, and tourists, while Ar. Pe. Pe. is one of the real gems of the region, capable of true greatness.

If I am beating around the bush too much in my explanation, let me know and I'll try to be more clear.

Having said that, it is true that going around the Valtellina talking with producers, I found more producers who admired Fay than admired Ar. Pe. Pe. But it is also true that if you go around Santorini, you don't find other producers saying how wonderful Canava Roussos is, and I believe it truly is wonderful.
 
originally posted by Levi Dalton:
originally posted by Todd Abrams:
What do you mean when you say better?
Click to expand...

I mean, in my personal opinion, Fay is lame wine, and stylized point fodder polished over for people who don't like Nebbiolo, grandmothers who can't taste anymore, and tourists, while Ar. Pe. Pe. is one of the real gems of the region, capable of true greatness.

If I am beating around the bush too much in my explanation, let me know and I'll try to be more clear.

Having said that, it is true that going around the Valtellina talking with producers, I found more producers who admired Fay than admired Ar. Pe. Pe. But it is also true that if you go around Santorini, you don't find other producers saying how wonderful Canava Roussos is, and I believe it truly is wonderful.
Click to expand...

Grandmothers who can't taste anymore is more than a bit lame! Update to the next century, please.
 
so on the 2015 dupeuble, any ideas of how long the sullen period might last. i recently bought a case and have found it underwhelming in comparison to its initial accolades. (but i don't feel snookered.)
 
originally posted by robert ames:
so on the 2015 dupeuble, any ideas of how long the sullen period might last. i recently bought a case and have found it underwhelming in comparison to its initial accolades. (but i don't feel snookered.)
Click to expand...
No.
These are the first time I've bought this producer so no track record to imply from.
Best, Jim
 
"I mean, in my personal opinion, Fay is lame wine, and stylized point fodder polished over for people who don't like Nebbiolo, grandmothers who can't taste anymore, and tourists, while Ar. Pe. Pe. is one of the real gems of the region, capable of true greatness."

Levi,
I haven't the experience to speak in the general sense about these producers.
But, as to these particular bottles, I believe I reported accurately. The guy who brought the Ar thought the bottle off - I don't know if he has enough experience with this producer for context.

We grandfathers just call them as we see them.
Best, Jim
 
originally posted by Levi Dalton:
originally posted by Todd Abrams:
What do you mean when you say better?
Click to expand...

I mean, in my personal opinion, Fay is lame wine, and stylized point fodder polished over for people who don't like Nebbiolo, grandmothers who can't taste anymore, and tourists, while Ar. Pe. Pe. is one of the real gems of the region, capable of true greatness.

If I am beating around the bush too much in my explanation, let me know and I'll try to be more clear.

Having said that, it is true that going around the Valtellina talking with producers, I found more producers who admired Fay than admired Ar. Pe. Pe. But it is also true that if you go around Santorini, you don't find other producers saying how wonderful Canava Roussos is, and I believe it truly is wonderful.
Click to expand...

i brought the bottle and have drunk my fair share of AR PE PE. It was a bad bottle. it happens. surely you've experienced the odd off bottle.

jim never said Fay was better than AR PE PE. it was a comment about ONE bottle.

and my limited experience with Fay has been underwhelming.
 
originally posted by Bill Lundstrom:
originally posted by Levi Dalton:
originally posted by Todd Abrams:
What do you mean when you say better?
Click to expand...

I mean, in my personal opinion, Fay is lame wine, and stylized point fodder polished over for people who don't like Nebbiolo, grandmothers who can't taste anymore, and tourists, while Ar. Pe. Pe. is one of the real gems of the region, capable of true greatness.

If I am beating around the bush too much in my explanation, let me know and I'll try to be more clear.

Having said that, it is true that going around the Valtellina talking with producers, I found more producers who admired Fay than admired Ar. Pe. Pe. But it is also true that if you go around Santorini, you don't find other producers saying how wonderful Canava Roussos is, and I believe it truly is wonderful.
Click to expand...

i brought the bottle and have drunk my fair share of AR PE PE. It was a bad bottle. it happens. surely you've experienced the odd off bottle.

jim never said Fay was better than AR PE PE. it was a comment about ONE bottle.

and my limited experience with Fay has been underwhelming.
Click to expand...

I understand your points perfectly. I also understand that someone reading through this thread and curious to try something from the Valtellina might possibly head off on what I think of personally as a less rewarding path, and that I provided a sign post in the opposite direction. And I did that because I have strong feelings on the matter. Also having visited the Valtellina twice now, and having drunk very many of the wines, going back several decades.

Jim did, if you scroll back, call the Ar. Pe. Pe. "god awful", which is perhaps open to different interpretations than "this was possibly a flawed bottle".
 
originally posted by Karen Goetz:
originally posted by Levi Dalton:
originally posted by Todd Abrams:
What do you mean when you say better?
Click to expand...

I mean, in my personal opinion, Fay is lame wine, and stylized point fodder polished over for people who don't like Nebbiolo, grandmothers who can't taste anymore, and tourists, while Ar. Pe. Pe. is one of the real gems of the region, capable of true greatness.

If I am beating around the bush too much in my explanation, let me know and I'll try to be more clear.

Having said that, it is true that going around the Valtellina talking with producers, I found more producers who admired Fay than admired Ar. Pe. Pe. But it is also true that if you go around Santorini, you don't find other producers saying how wonderful Canava Roussos is, and I believe it truly is wonderful.
Click to expand...

Grandmothers who can't taste anymore is more than a bit lame! Update to the next century, please.
Click to expand...

If you visit the Valtellina, you may in fact notice that local pensioners and visiting European tourists are both significant market segments for the wines. For example, I spoke with one producer who specifically makes Sforzato for the tourists who often request it, while he himself does not care for the category. And as in the Alto Piemonte, there is an aging local population in the Valtellina that drinks a lot of wine per capita. I assume that you are unaware of this, but maybe not. Anyway, I was in the Valtellina last year, which I believe is safely within this century.
 
"I understand your points perfectly. I also understand that someone reading through this thread and curious to try something from the Valtellina might possibly head off on what I think of personally as a less rewarding path, and that I provided a sign post in the opposite direction. And I did that because I have strong feelings on the matter. Also having visited the Valtellina twice now, and having drunk very many of the wines, going back several decades.

Jim did, if you scroll back, call the Ar. Pe. Pe. "god awful", which is perhaps open to different interpretations than "this was possibly a flawed bottle"."

Levi,
Could you suggest bottlings from Ar. Pe. Pe. for me to try?
Please, keep in mind my wine budget is limited.
Also, suggestions on who in this country is selling them - I'll do a little looking but I suspect you know a few.
Thanks, Jim
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top