Florida Jim
Florida Jim
Impressions 8-31-17
White:
2016 Calluna, Sauvignon Blanc/Semillon - fine balance with neither variety holding sway and both blending into a juicy yet dry white that would go with almost any dish save red meat. A first effort and an impressive one.
2010 Ultramarine, Spakling blanc de blanc - disgorged 9/14; good bead, with heady aromas and precise flavors; nice
2015 Massican, Annia - a blend of Tocai, Ribolla and Chard that is crisp, focused and longer than expected. This may warrant a bit of age.
2015 Louis Michel, Chablis Montee de Tonnerre - no need to age as it is in full song now. Lovely wine.
2016 Perusinni, Friuli Colli Orientali, Ribolla Gialla - fair but not showing what I consider the true character of the variety; but then I am quite picky about this variety.
2016 Cave Dog, Godello, and,
2016 Cave Dog, Albariño - Michael Havens makes these beautiful renditions of Spanish whites. Both are character driven, balanced and really good. Not to be missed.
Rose:
2014 Idlewild, Grenache Gris, Gibson Ranch - As always, top shelf quality and getting better with age.
2015 Tibouren, Clos Cibonne, Cuvée Speciale des Vignettes - sous voile Rose that is intellectual and delicious; hard to find but worth it.
2014 Minimus, Gamay Noir Rose - Oregon pink that feels like it had more skin contact than I would expect of Rose; tactile, dusty, earthy stuff that I could not leave alone. Thanks Jon.
Red:
2015 Clos du Caillou, Cotes du Rhone Cuvée Unique - a full flavored mouthful of wine with a worsted texture and an earthy finish. Big but good.
2013 Bevela Wines, Syrah Old Fashioned Superstition - from Ballard Canyon in SBC and delivers what I expect from such good terroir; complex, slightly rustic, with a nod toward Cornas; a light touch of oak doesn't work for me but it's so judicious, I suspect most folks wouldn't even notice.
2009 Auteur, Pinot Noir Manchester Ridge - on the first day its CA Pinot and no more; on the second it becomes something else again with more complexity, some recognizable Mendocino aromas and flavors, and real length. Surprising wine.
2015 Sandlands, Mataro - there's an echo of Tempier in there somewhere but it's a wonderful CA version of this grape. Nothing but net!
1996 Chateau Lafita Rothschild - great expectations, unmet. Liked it but no more than that. I believe that Cabernet and I have parted ways.
2015 Black Trumpet, Syrah - from Heintz Vineyard out on the coast and tastes it - cool climate smells and tastes, nice balance, and the promise of development in the cellar even though it shows well now.
2006 Greppi Cupi, Bolgheri Rosso - a joy with grilled steaks. (Well, maybe there's some hope for Cabernet . . .)
2008 Rhys, Pinot Noir Skyline Vineyard - at first, angry about being opened but by the end of the evening it was medium bodied, well structured, dark fruited with some underbrush tones that made me think about what Pinot in the northern Rhone might taste like. Fascinating.
Best, jim
White:
2016 Calluna, Sauvignon Blanc/Semillon - fine balance with neither variety holding sway and both blending into a juicy yet dry white that would go with almost any dish save red meat. A first effort and an impressive one.
2010 Ultramarine, Spakling blanc de blanc - disgorged 9/14; good bead, with heady aromas and precise flavors; nice
2015 Massican, Annia - a blend of Tocai, Ribolla and Chard that is crisp, focused and longer than expected. This may warrant a bit of age.
2015 Louis Michel, Chablis Montee de Tonnerre - no need to age as it is in full song now. Lovely wine.
2016 Perusinni, Friuli Colli Orientali, Ribolla Gialla - fair but not showing what I consider the true character of the variety; but then I am quite picky about this variety.
2016 Cave Dog, Godello, and,
2016 Cave Dog, Albariño - Michael Havens makes these beautiful renditions of Spanish whites. Both are character driven, balanced and really good. Not to be missed.
Rose:
2014 Idlewild, Grenache Gris, Gibson Ranch - As always, top shelf quality and getting better with age.
2015 Tibouren, Clos Cibonne, Cuvée Speciale des Vignettes - sous voile Rose that is intellectual and delicious; hard to find but worth it.
2014 Minimus, Gamay Noir Rose - Oregon pink that feels like it had more skin contact than I would expect of Rose; tactile, dusty, earthy stuff that I could not leave alone. Thanks Jon.
Red:
2015 Clos du Caillou, Cotes du Rhone Cuvée Unique - a full flavored mouthful of wine with a worsted texture and an earthy finish. Big but good.
2013 Bevela Wines, Syrah Old Fashioned Superstition - from Ballard Canyon in SBC and delivers what I expect from such good terroir; complex, slightly rustic, with a nod toward Cornas; a light touch of oak doesn't work for me but it's so judicious, I suspect most folks wouldn't even notice.
2009 Auteur, Pinot Noir Manchester Ridge - on the first day its CA Pinot and no more; on the second it becomes something else again with more complexity, some recognizable Mendocino aromas and flavors, and real length. Surprising wine.
2015 Sandlands, Mataro - there's an echo of Tempier in there somewhere but it's a wonderful CA version of this grape. Nothing but net!
1996 Chateau Lafita Rothschild - great expectations, unmet. Liked it but no more than that. I believe that Cabernet and I have parted ways.
2015 Black Trumpet, Syrah - from Heintz Vineyard out on the coast and tastes it - cool climate smells and tastes, nice balance, and the promise of development in the cellar even though it shows well now.
2006 Greppi Cupi, Bolgheri Rosso - a joy with grilled steaks. (Well, maybe there's some hope for Cabernet . . .)
2008 Rhys, Pinot Noir Skyline Vineyard - at first, angry about being opened but by the end of the evening it was medium bodied, well structured, dark fruited with some underbrush tones that made me think about what Pinot in the northern Rhone might taste like. Fascinating.
Best, jim