Florida Jim
Florida Jim
White:
2002 Edmunds St. John, Pinot Grigio El Dorado County - at 15, acting more like the Alsatian renditions of this grape; deeper and richer than it its youth; no oxidation
2003 Ganevat, Savagnin Les Vignes de mon Pere - full flavored, oily texture, intense flavors; no hurry here
1996 Gigou, Jasnieres, Cuvée des Tros Clos - past prime with some oxidation; more for the intellect than the for joy
2001 & 2007 Hirtzberger, Riesling Singerriedel - the '01 is perfectly balanced and full of life; the '07 is an intense but somewhat clumsy wine today. Both are excellent.
2014 & 2015 Louis Michel, Chablis Montee de Tonnerre - cut from the same cloth, the '14 a trifle more "serious," the '15 is singing.
2013 & 2015 Idlewild, Cortese - the '15 needs time; the '13 shows good flavor development and complexity. Neither at peak and both with long lives ahead.
2013 Casa Dumetz, Gewertztraminer, Santa Ynez Valley - this will never be profound but every bottle is delightful; so pleased to have a good bit of this in the cellar. A lovely bottle.
2015 Kirschenmann (Sandlands), Chenin Blanc - more about savory than fruit, fine balance and perfect for foods that require a mineral driven wine.
2002 Huet, Vouvray Demi-Sec, Le Mont - fresh, less sweet than on release and an altogether charming example of Demi-sec.
2012 Leo Steen, Chenin Blanc The Steen - this is developing beautifully and is now one of the most prized whites in my cellar. As good a Chenin Blanc as one could ask, regardless of price or place. Wonderful!
2008 Louise Briton, Champagne Brut - precise, fresh and a lovely bead. Hard to beat below $100, and this was in the $20's.
Red:
2015 Dashe, Carignane Evangelho Vineyard - I have no use for Carignane . . . until now. More character than any other Carignane in my experience, well made and, as much as it pains me to say it, memorable. Bought some.
2007 & 2015 Dashe, Zinfandel L'Enfant Terribles - the '07 is the first vintage for this wine and it needs a little time to wake up, but when it does, one sees what all the fuss was about, damn good; the '15 is more forward and ready when opened. Both of these show how superb this grape can be below 14% abv.
2009 Juge, Cornas - young, young, young and showing but glimpses of what is to come. Hold.
N/V (likely mid-1960's) Martin Ray, Cabernet Sauvignon La Montana - ample sous bois, fully resolved structure, solid fruit and good complexity. This has held up well.
1972 Swan, Zinfandel Lot 2 - again sous bois and an odd metallic note that first seems corky but it blows off and this becomes much akin to an old claret. Nice bottle.
1996 La Pousse d'Or, Santenay 1er Clos Tanannes - open and generous with secondary development and obvious structure. No hurry but showing well now.
? Qvevri, Rosse Vino di Anna - (can't remember vintage), interesting but not fascinating. Medium weight with finesse but not memorable.
2014 Three Sticks, Pinot Noir Russian River Valley - it's okay
2012 Deloach, Pinot Noir Green Valley - it's not, significant VA
2010 ArPePe, Valtellina Sassella Stella Retica - nicely resolved, perfumed and intense without any heaviness or astringency. A balanced, slightly rustic and absolutely delicious Nebbiolo. Thanks Levi.
2015 Sandlands, Mataro Contra Costa County - all the meaty goodness one bottle can contain!
1989 Beaucastel, CdP - barnyard but not band aid, resolved structure, good development and charming fruit. What's not to like?
2013 Piedrassasi, Syrah Sebastiano Vineyard - too early to drink but already showing excellent complexity and the meatiness good Syrah can have. Hold.
2012 Piedrassasi, Syrah Santa Barbara County - like drinking good Cornas. The best under $40 bottle of Syrah I have had in a very long time.
2011 Sandro Fay, Valtellina Costa Bassa - feminine, weightless and charming. Will never be great but it sure is good.
2007 Overnoy, Arbois Pupillin - Poulsard of the gods. Just terrific and so much energy.
2014 Herve Souhaut, St. Joseph Les Cessieux - way too early to drink but shows promise. Hold.
2013 Dirty and Rowdy, Mourvèdre Antle Vineyard - if Audrey Hepburn made wine; 'adore this wine.
Best, jim
2002 Edmunds St. John, Pinot Grigio El Dorado County - at 15, acting more like the Alsatian renditions of this grape; deeper and richer than it its youth; no oxidation
2003 Ganevat, Savagnin Les Vignes de mon Pere - full flavored, oily texture, intense flavors; no hurry here
1996 Gigou, Jasnieres, Cuvée des Tros Clos - past prime with some oxidation; more for the intellect than the for joy
2001 & 2007 Hirtzberger, Riesling Singerriedel - the '01 is perfectly balanced and full of life; the '07 is an intense but somewhat clumsy wine today. Both are excellent.
2014 & 2015 Louis Michel, Chablis Montee de Tonnerre - cut from the same cloth, the '14 a trifle more "serious," the '15 is singing.
2013 & 2015 Idlewild, Cortese - the '15 needs time; the '13 shows good flavor development and complexity. Neither at peak and both with long lives ahead.
2013 Casa Dumetz, Gewertztraminer, Santa Ynez Valley - this will never be profound but every bottle is delightful; so pleased to have a good bit of this in the cellar. A lovely bottle.
2015 Kirschenmann (Sandlands), Chenin Blanc - more about savory than fruit, fine balance and perfect for foods that require a mineral driven wine.
2002 Huet, Vouvray Demi-Sec, Le Mont - fresh, less sweet than on release and an altogether charming example of Demi-sec.
2012 Leo Steen, Chenin Blanc The Steen - this is developing beautifully and is now one of the most prized whites in my cellar. As good a Chenin Blanc as one could ask, regardless of price or place. Wonderful!
2008 Louise Briton, Champagne Brut - precise, fresh and a lovely bead. Hard to beat below $100, and this was in the $20's.
Red:
2015 Dashe, Carignane Evangelho Vineyard - I have no use for Carignane . . . until now. More character than any other Carignane in my experience, well made and, as much as it pains me to say it, memorable. Bought some.
2007 & 2015 Dashe, Zinfandel L'Enfant Terribles - the '07 is the first vintage for this wine and it needs a little time to wake up, but when it does, one sees what all the fuss was about, damn good; the '15 is more forward and ready when opened. Both of these show how superb this grape can be below 14% abv.
2009 Juge, Cornas - young, young, young and showing but glimpses of what is to come. Hold.
N/V (likely mid-1960's) Martin Ray, Cabernet Sauvignon La Montana - ample sous bois, fully resolved structure, solid fruit and good complexity. This has held up well.
1972 Swan, Zinfandel Lot 2 - again sous bois and an odd metallic note that first seems corky but it blows off and this becomes much akin to an old claret. Nice bottle.
1996 La Pousse d'Or, Santenay 1er Clos Tanannes - open and generous with secondary development and obvious structure. No hurry but showing well now.
? Qvevri, Rosse Vino di Anna - (can't remember vintage), interesting but not fascinating. Medium weight with finesse but not memorable.
2014 Three Sticks, Pinot Noir Russian River Valley - it's okay
2012 Deloach, Pinot Noir Green Valley - it's not, significant VA
2010 ArPePe, Valtellina Sassella Stella Retica - nicely resolved, perfumed and intense without any heaviness or astringency. A balanced, slightly rustic and absolutely delicious Nebbiolo. Thanks Levi.
2015 Sandlands, Mataro Contra Costa County - all the meaty goodness one bottle can contain!
1989 Beaucastel, CdP - barnyard but not band aid, resolved structure, good development and charming fruit. What's not to like?
2013 Piedrassasi, Syrah Sebastiano Vineyard - too early to drink but already showing excellent complexity and the meatiness good Syrah can have. Hold.
2012 Piedrassasi, Syrah Santa Barbara County - like drinking good Cornas. The best under $40 bottle of Syrah I have had in a very long time.
2011 Sandro Fay, Valtellina Costa Bassa - feminine, weightless and charming. Will never be great but it sure is good.
2007 Overnoy, Arbois Pupillin - Poulsard of the gods. Just terrific and so much energy.
2014 Herve Souhaut, St. Joseph Les Cessieux - way too early to drink but shows promise. Hold.
2013 Dirty and Rowdy, Mourvèdre Antle Vineyard - if Audrey Hepburn made wine; 'adore this wine.
Best, jim
