Even more notes
Posted: Tue Aug 29, 2006 10:56 am
2002 Terres Dorees (Brun), Beaujolais-Villages L’Ancien VV:
The funk is, indeed, gone but this bottle still shows very young and slightly disjointed with grapey flavors and aromas. Good now, better later. About $12 on release; I’d pay that again.
1999 Laderas de Pinoso, Alicante El Sequé:
Day one: this monastrell has dried out and the wood tannins are so overwhelming that the wine is all but undrinkable.
Day two: not as bad because the fruit is stronger but this is unbalanced.
About $20 on release; I’d not pay that again.
(This producer also has a lesser priced bottling (about $8) called Viñedos de El Sequé which I much prefer – apparently the lower price means less wood.)
2002 Bründlmayer, Grüner Veltliner Terrassen:
Not as thick as some wines from this producer but solid, authentic flavors and scents with lots of black pepper spice and mineral accents; fully integrated, beautifully balanced and a delicious and representative Grüner. Bought on sale for $8; I’d pay three times that again.
2004 Pepière, Muscadet:
Maybe bottle number 62 (well . . .); wonderful.
2001 Copain, Pinot Noir Dennison Vineyard:
From my favorite Anderson Valley vineyard; 14% alcohol; bright raspberry, red-fruit nose with spice and mineral accents and a freshness that is hard to describe; crisp and clean across the palate with ripe tannins, deep fruit flavors and an etched, layered profile; good balance, no heat, and very long. As good a pinot as I have had from California and every bit the equal of the better premier cru Chambolle producers in quality and complexity. A really superb wine with lots of development to come. About $42 on release and worth every penny of it and more.
2004 de Villaine, Bourgogne La Fortune:
Pretty much my ‘go to’ Bourgogne these days with a lightweight, brisk delivery of black fruit and some spice; nice balance and length. A fine ‘little’ Burgundy for $19; I’d pay that again.
1993 Vincent Arroyo, Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve:
Ultimately, this bottle turned out to be slightly corked but upon first opening, it was clear evidence that California can make cabernet based wines that compete with the world’s finest; expansive nose with immense nuance and bottle bouquet; sweet fruit, layers of flavor and excellent depth – of course, little by little the TCA came to the fore – ah, for what might have been. $25 on release; I’d pay twice that again.
Best, Jim
The funk is, indeed, gone but this bottle still shows very young and slightly disjointed with grapey flavors and aromas. Good now, better later. About $12 on release; I’d pay that again.
1999 Laderas de Pinoso, Alicante El Sequé:
Day one: this monastrell has dried out and the wood tannins are so overwhelming that the wine is all but undrinkable.
Day two: not as bad because the fruit is stronger but this is unbalanced.
About $20 on release; I’d not pay that again.
(This producer also has a lesser priced bottling (about $8) called Viñedos de El Sequé which I much prefer – apparently the lower price means less wood.)
2002 Bründlmayer, Grüner Veltliner Terrassen:
Not as thick as some wines from this producer but solid, authentic flavors and scents with lots of black pepper spice and mineral accents; fully integrated, beautifully balanced and a delicious and representative Grüner. Bought on sale for $8; I’d pay three times that again.
2004 Pepière, Muscadet:
Maybe bottle number 62 (well . . .); wonderful.
2001 Copain, Pinot Noir Dennison Vineyard:
From my favorite Anderson Valley vineyard; 14% alcohol; bright raspberry, red-fruit nose with spice and mineral accents and a freshness that is hard to describe; crisp and clean across the palate with ripe tannins, deep fruit flavors and an etched, layered profile; good balance, no heat, and very long. As good a pinot as I have had from California and every bit the equal of the better premier cru Chambolle producers in quality and complexity. A really superb wine with lots of development to come. About $42 on release and worth every penny of it and more.
2004 de Villaine, Bourgogne La Fortune:
Pretty much my ‘go to’ Bourgogne these days with a lightweight, brisk delivery of black fruit and some spice; nice balance and length. A fine ‘little’ Burgundy for $19; I’d pay that again.
1993 Vincent Arroyo, Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve:
Ultimately, this bottle turned out to be slightly corked but upon first opening, it was clear evidence that California can make cabernet based wines that compete with the world’s finest; expansive nose with immense nuance and bottle bouquet; sweet fruit, layers of flavor and excellent depth – of course, little by little the TCA came to the fore – ah, for what might have been. $25 on release; I’d pay twice that again.
Best, Jim