@InFrom
The header and/or thumbnail image seem to be quite random. There was one particular month when I started the thread with a photo of Large Bold Text Zin and it ended up being the thumbnail. Despite my best efforts, other months since then have had thumbnails that seem to be randomly generated.
@InFrom@kawichris650 No offense intended, I just find it humorous how the times vary. Header, no control I’m aware of on that one; rather like a random giphy.
@kawichris650@ScottW58 No, I changed the display settings so it only shows a couple of the most recent things. But it always shows the very first post. If I click on the “last reply” thing then it takes me to the bottom and I have to unintuitively scoll up! Ideally it would take me to the first thing I haven’t read, the way it does on Berserkers.
@kawichris650@klezman
I would rather scroll up than through the whole thread but that’s just me as for the other site I think they spend more money to make it intuitive?
@klezman
They usually do each one for two or three weeks max and you can only pickup on Saturday or Sunday. Best bet to get one is reserve on Monday morning or Tuesday.
@rjquillin Thx, I did, it prompted me to open the Grenache, the one I hadn’t tried yet. Had a little and liked it quite a bit, will have some more tonight.
@rjquillin
Pretty good. A little tart on PnP. I can’t really smell it as I am getting over a case of Covid. Getting better as it opens up some. Dark fruits, pleasantly tannic with spicy finish.
2013 Onesta Cinsault (with venison roast). Noticed a lot of sediment in the first glasses, so used my @chipgreen endorsed wine pourer for subsequent pours (item linked is no longer available, but matching items seem to be available four for $18 ).
@chipgreen Sometimes, yup. Although we’ve largely stopped worrying about food pairings since so little of the wine actually ends up being drank with the food!
@pseudogourmet98 Oy.
This was stuff pending from the last ~5 years. No more room, so this had better be a super compelling offer if I’m going to get more!
@klezman@pseudogourmet98
Your above 2012 CS was referring to the bottles Clark had for us?
Given the following comment it almost seemed like you may have gotten a Rat bottle or two.
@rjquillin No, that was the stuff that’s been sitting in their storage for years. Need to adjust CT for what was received vs originally ordered (and orders long since lost) but can finally clear those out of my pending list. Ended up with one extra for you from your list - '94 CF.
@hscottk Both wines were excellent. On a blind tasting pnp initial thought was an incredibly tannic Pinot Noir. After a few minutes it opened into a finesse, restrained style of Zinfandel. I preferred it over the QC CVR with the strip steaks, asparagus and sweet potatoes. The CVR also paired well, full bodied, fruity with the tannins in balance, but riding in the back seat. It depends on one’s style preference as I like less fruit and more tannins with food. I’d give the nod to the CVR for cocktails, it’s an impressive wine.
2013 Grandes Vinos y Viñedos Cariñena Corona de Aragon Special Selection, my first of the lot. Some of the early post-delivery reviews were pretty iffy (despite which I gifted a bottle to my brother), so I was relieved to find it very enjoyable.
2018 Orr Wines Chardonnay
Nicely done. Aromatic tropical fruit and citrus, minerality, full smooth mouth.
Wild Chanterelles risotto and braised shrimp.
Not a pairing for the WineSmith offer currently up.
Although I personally reserve Clark’s wines for special occasions since my WineSmith inventory isn’t all that vast. Plus, I believe the bottles I do have still have a lot of aging potential.
My top 5 are identical but slightly different order.
Scott Harvey
Wellington
WineSmith
Iron Horse
Pedroncelli
Number 6 surprised me = Woot Cellars, then…
Vino Noceto
Zeppelin Winery
Ty Caton
St. Supery
Twisted Oak
Did you include Jana + SuperHero when adding up the Harvey wines? That jumped him from #4 to #1 on my list.
@catcoland@chipgreen@kawichris650@rc70@rjquillin
Although I don’t have an inventory, mine is similar with a few exceptions:
No Iron Horse, and very low on Pedroncelli.
I’ve got a lot of Amarone, many are Masi
And I’ve got a lot of Long Point (Finger Lakes Reds made with California Grapes).
Also have some Cameron Hughes, which is often a fantastic QPR.
Oh, and #1 right now is de negoce, which I hope will come around and be very good in the next few years. Couldn’t pass up potentially great Napa / Sonoma and Washington juice at bargain basement prices.
Looking further down the CT sort by producer quantity (desc) there are chinks in the armor where quantity does not actually descend. There are producer entries with lesser quantities sorted above those with greater quantities.
Not sure what I’m missing, or if it’s just a CT glitch.
For instance Halcon (160) is sorted above Woot (172). and Corison (111) is sorted above Twisted Oak (141).
@bunnymasseuse
Wifey and I have been to the Trump winery 2x. Once when he was still a reality TV star and then again when he was a… reality TV star. Err, I mean President.
The winery was still in the process of sorting itself out after he bought it from Patricia Kluge the first time we visited. We enjoyed the sparklers that time. When we went back 5 or 6 years later, the wines had improved across the board and the sparklers were still great, albeit much more expensive than before.
The Blanc de Noir is our favorite. What did you think?
@chipgreen@Mark_L technically the bottle says the son is in charge IIRC? I was not a fan of the red Meritage but then I was already glasses of bubbles in, so…… I did prefer the Noir over the Blanc de Blanc, yes.
First bottle of this I’ve opened. Paired with salmon, halibut and some leftover risotto.
Wine searcher now shows this at nearly $45/btl. Well done WD at under $20.
[edit] oops, not a WD deal…
@klezman@rjquillin I ratted a 15 Cuvée du Vigneron back in January of 2020, right before the pandemic. Same stuff? I remember our bottle was slightly fizzy but got better when that blew off.
2014 Lang & Reed Cabernet Franc North Coast
with some Morgan Wagyu tenderloin tips, that I was lucky enough to get from a BD Monople Crü offer from Morgan Ranch, made into kabobs .
@klezman@rjquillin Dang, that was a nice offer. I’ve been digging the Morgan Ranch. Did a couple of strips and ribeyes Wednesday night with a '95 Lynch Bages and 2018 Maybach Materium… didn’t suck
@rjquillin here’s the trick to this.
Open it in a small window in the corner of your screen and add an extension to auto-refresh every 10 seconds. You can kinda watch it while you work through out the day. It peaks during normal working hours. 9-4.
@chipgreen@rjquillin Yes my last '02 from this somewhat disastrous offer iirc, the cork was soft but intact and hadn’t leaked at all. I was surpised at how good it drank once a little funk blew off, I didn’t save any and don’t think it would have been as good the next day. PAVI MYSTERY LIBRARY DOLCETTO I still have one '03 and one or more each of '05 - 13.
Just popped and poured a:
2013 Two Jakes Aspects (the 90 month one).
Pretty good. Can’t wait to see how it develops
overnight in the bottle.
Think I’m going to pop a 2017 Vintage Port 375 tonight too. I’ve got a Niepoort and a Croft…Recommendations?
@FritzCat Two Jakes, day two. Very good. Lots of leather and vanilla, long finish and legs like Gisele Bündchen. SWMBO loved it last night, but not as much tonight…some of the fruit is gone, and it’s a little old-world. I taste a little sourness…acid?
@kawichris650@rjquillin 2005 Sonoma Valley. I opened it and only ended up with 1/4 of the cork in the bottle, so…victory? (Another one I would love to still have a bottle of.)
The Zin was nice and smooth. Lots of fruit still in it. Dark fruit, not dried, so sweet, but not overly sweet.
I had it with some Japanese curry, and that brought out the spices - allspice, clove, cinnamon.
@justinh@kawichris650
Still have an 04 and a few 05s of that. Guess I should find them. We frequently have Japanese curry as well, like last night. I’d not thought of pairing with a Zin; have to try it sometime.
Starting out with some
2009 Iron Horse Vineyards Classic Vintage Brut
and Premier Selection Oscietra Hybrid from C-fu.
2013 Keller Estate Syrah Rotie
and for swmbo & GF, 2019 St. Supéry Moscato (sigh)
2021 edition of the Kirkland champagne NV. Not sure what’s next yet. We brought 14 bottles with us for five nights, so we’ve got plenty to choose from!
Modern Times “Analog” Saison with whole cluster Marsanne and Roussanne (375mL)
NV Taittinger Brut (375mL)
2014 Bonny Doon Le Cigare Volant Rouge (375mL)
2013 Onesta Cinsault with the WB Newbiepalooza event - Jasper Hill Farms Harbison and raspberries per the suggestion on the cheese label. Was just delivered this afternoon. @infrom It is delicious. You really need this cheese in your life. Very nice pairing with the wine.
@chefjess I am definitely going to look out for it when it’s time to make my all-important NYE selection. I’m thinking that I might just find this VT cheese in one of the local cheese shop in Western Mass where I’ll be shopping. I’ve gotten Von Trapp and others from VT.
Anyway, enjoy. I’m in the hunt for the perfect red to go with our incoming dinner order, with Dan Dan noodles and cumin lamb on tonight’s menu.
@ScottW58@InFrom
Day 2 of the Cinsault and Harbison but this time with the just arrived Zing Preserves, another WB newbiepalooza venture. The ginger was amazing with the Harbison, but was horrible with the wine. Tomorrow will be the Willoughby. The cheeses have suggested fruit/food/libations listed on the labels so I’m sure I can find the correct varietal. This is fun.
@InFrom yes, it was well received by the red wine I don’t drink white crowd. Floral nose, fruit and minerality balanced with acidity. Had two bottles and will buy again. I’ve only had 1 of the Pinot Noir, also very nice.
I am not at all a Pinot Noir fan.
That being said, I had a good one once, a Merry Edwards.
However, Pinot Noir is supposed to pair will with Thanksgiving fare, so I opened a bottle of:
2012 Calera de Villiers with Thanksgiving dinner, and finished it tonight…with leftovers.
Both nights it was fantastic, heavy on the cranberry and plenty of flavor. Fabulous!
I might be swayed toward Pinot Noirs after all.
(Most CT reviews for Calera are in the 90s)
@FritzCat we love Pinot in our house, but it’s hard to find the right ones. Cooler climates are needed for us, and they need that earthy funk to keep the wine balanced. Even better if the alcohol doesn’t creep up much above 14% for California or even hit 14% for Oregon.
So when we find Pinot producers we like, we tend to stick with them. You might enjoy Harvest Moon, and they do sometimes sell on here or WD’s other sites.
To further my exploration of Pinot Noir…
2018 Slander Pinot Noir.
OK, it’s not a fair test. I knew going in that
I’d get amazing flavor from Orin Swift, and
it’s more Orin Swift style than an expression
of Pinot Noir. But it is good.
@FritzCat Sandler has a Black Friday deal that’s still available which features 2 Pinots, a Cab and a Syrah and includes shipping.
The Black Friday 4 Pack for $110 includes 1 bottle each of the following:
2019 Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
2016 Boer Vineyard Pinot Noir
2017 Lazare Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon
2018 Nolan Vineyard Syrah
Shipping will be as soon as possible, most likely beginning on November 30 or December 1.
Stars & Dust Rose of Mourvèdre with the Jasper Hill Willoughby. The recommendation on the cheese was rose or sour ale. The rose was not a good pairing so I tried it with a slightly tart ale and it was delicious. Then I opened the Jasper Hill clothbound cheddar. That was great with the Stars & Dust Mourvèdre. I enjoyed the Rose of Grenache more than the Mourvèdre, but it was still a lovely wine as I was half a bottle in before I knew it.
@chefjess
Trying the Willoughby tonight, man is it delicious! Did I read somewhere in that thread you can warm this one up? Anyways great stuff with a little less funk than the harbison.
@ScottW58
Yes it is! That Willouby is a little less acidic and a little rounder. I like the spots of crumble on the rind. I heated the Harbison the second day. SO good! Warm bubbly cheese, similar to a fondue. Yum. I haven’t heated the willoughby. I might try that tomorrow.
FYI- Jasper hill has mini Harbisons available now. I have two on the way, another Willoughby, a few additional cheeses, and a blue cheese to pair with the Wellington port. Wine, cheese, fruit, and the zing preserves has been dinner every day since the cheese and zing arrived. The Willoughby is good with the peach habanero while the harbison is fantastic with the ginger. Good times!
@ScottW58
Let me know what you think about the ginger/harbison pairing. I didn’t receive the Oma. It is worth trying? They sent a Conundrum special edition cheddar which I haven’t opened yet. There’s a Black Friday deal for a conundrum special edition harbison - gin washed with a spruce rind. That sounds interesting. I think my next order may include the Winnemere. Reading the description and suggested beverages I think it might pair really well with the 2015 Briceland petit verdot. I really like that wine and always taste bacon every time I drink it.
@chefjess@ScottW58
Harbison didn’t last long, it was devoured quickly.
The Conundrum Cheddar was excellent both on its own and on Flannery hanger sandwiches.
@rc70@ScottW58
Ohhh, nice. I don’t have Flannery since I’m in the Midwest and shipping is crazy, but I do have some Morgan Ranch. I’m going to break open the Conundrum cheddar today and grab the Morgan out of the freezer for later this weekend, if the cheddar lasts that long!
@chefjess
Okay have the Willoughby leftover from last night and tried it with all three Zings that I have, Habanero Peach, Ginger and Rhubarb ginger was the winner. The others were slightly overpowered by the cheese, really love the Habanero peach will experiment with the other cheeses I have and will report back, this is fun and delicious!
2019 Black Zeppelin Petite Sirah, Grenouille Ranch, Calaveras County
@catcoland that baby needed to breeeathe when I popped one!
Always interesting to see how long before a new thread is created, even if it is still yesterday out west.
@rjquillin So for that offense, no background in the header, just plain vanilla?
@rjquillin
Sometimes I’m on the ball; other times it slips my mind and someone else starts it.
@InFrom
The header and/or thumbnail image seem to be quite random. There was one particular month when I started the thread with a photo of Large Bold Text Zin and it ended up being the thumbnail. Despite my best efforts, other months since then have had thumbnails that seem to be randomly generated.
@InFrom @kawichris650 No offense intended, I just find it humorous how the times vary. Header, no control I’m aware of on that one; rather like a random giphy.
@kawichris650 @rjquillin There was no header at all when I wrote that, only text. Unless my laptop just wasn’t loading the image at that point?
@kawichris650 @rjquillin Thanks for not putting a photo in the first post that I’ll have to scroll past for the entire month!
@klezman
I wasn’t aware that caused an annoyance for anyone. I almost always just click on the “last reply” link.
@kawichris650 @klezman
Agree, klez you scroll through the whole thread Everytime you check it?
@kawichris650 @ScottW58 No, I changed the display settings so it only shows a couple of the most recent things. But it always shows the very first post. If I click on the “last reply” thing then it takes me to the bottom and I have to unintuitively scoll up! Ideally it would take me to the first thing I haven’t read, the way it does on Berserkers.
@kawichris650 @klezman
as for the other site I think they spend more money to make it intuitive?
I would rather scroll up than through the whole thread but that’s just me
2016 Halcon Vineyards Pinot Noir Bearwallow Vineyard
It’s WW!
@kawichris650 Oh man, I miss their wines. I would love a bottle of Noir de Noirs.
Did the goldbelly Momofuko pork belly buns, nice!
@ScottW58 Those look delicious!
You see the Vespertine Paris menu? molarchae’s reaction was “WE MUST GET THIS”
@klezman
I was thinking the same thing! But it’s sold out this week ugh
@ScottW58 Should we do it together next week? How long do these last?
@klezman
The following two weekends I’m slammed, just sent you a text, this Friday?
@klezman
They usually do each one for two or three weeks max and you can only pickup on Saturday or Sunday. Best bet to get one is reserve on Monday morning or Tuesday.
Participating in Wellington Wednesday for a change: 2012 Wellington Vineyards Zinfandel Estate Vineyard
2019 Orr Wines Grenache
@catcoland
You see the new release email this week?
@rjquillin Thx, I did, it prompted me to open the Grenache, the one I hadn’t tried yet. Had a little and liked it quite a bit, will have some more tonight.
@catcoland
I need to go find my bottles as well and pull a cork…
2012 Entycement.
2015 Williams Selyem Pinot Noir, San Benito County, Vista Verde Vineyard
This deliciousness.
@InFrom
@InFrom
How long do you recommend in the toaster oven?
@chipgreen Lol, forget the toaster oven, check out the immersion blender. Works a lot faster than a Vinturi. I can aerate a whole bottle at once.
@InFrom
2007 R. Merlo Estate Vineyards Syrah
@chipgreen
so much for that 2018 CT drink by date.
How’s it doing?
@rjquillin
Pretty good. A little tart on PnP. I can’t really smell it as I am getting over a case of Covid. Getting better as it opens up some. Dark fruits, pleasantly tannic with spicy finish.
@chipgreen @rjquillin Sounds like you’re on the mend, sorry to hear you were sick.
@chipgreen @InFrom
for us here.
Seems that is going around, good to hear you’re getting better, and haven’t even missed an
2013 Onesta Cinsault (with venison roast). Noticed a lot of sediment in the first glasses, so used my @chipgreen endorsed wine pourer for subsequent pours (item linked is no longer available, but matching items seem to be available four for $18 ).
@Mark_L
I just broke out a new one for the 2007 Syrah this evening.
If you order today, we’ll throw in the Ronco Pocket Fisherman!
2018 Dutton-Goldfield Rosé of Pinot Noir with pesto lasagna and worked quite well!
2020 campesino Isa
With sriracha pork kebabs
2014 Winesmith bubbly Grenache
Probably getting sushi to go with it, but maybe not. Up to molarchae
@klezman
I like that you picked the wine first, then the food to go with it.
@chipgreen Sometimes, yup. Although we’ve largely stopped worrying about food pairings since so little of the wine actually ends up being drank with the food!
Twisted Oak Viognier and shrimp scampi
After a crappy weekend, with Morgan ranch burgers mashed potatoes and green stuff.
@ScottW58
Is the label stain included at purchase, or consumer added?
@rjquillin
Human error
2018 Furthermore PN, Sonoma Coast. On sale over at the Divvy site.
@hscottk You and @ScottW58 have the same glassware?
@hscottk @rjquillin
I love my grassl! Although that’s not what I’m using tonight
@rjquillin @ScottW58 I, too, love my Grassl. this is Glasvin.
@hscottk @rjquillin @ScottW58 It’s a Scott thing.
2013 Peterson Winery Vignobles
2010 Don & Sons The Crusher Big Orange
2016 Kent Rasmussen Esoterica North Coast Pinot Noir
2013 Bogle Phantom. Very good!
It’s WW!
Quite a bit of sediment as you can see, but aside from that it is drinking very well.
2012 Cathedral Ridge Tempranillo
Made a tri tip on the grill, so decided to open up a 2002 Château Malescasse
@klezman K&L?
@rjquillin yes, a couple years ago
2016 Peterson Zero Manipulation Red Wine, Tollini Vineyard
2017 Double Canyon, Red Wine. Ciel du Cheval Vineyard.
Received a bunch of wine smith, so I opened a 2012 two Jake’s Cabernet
@klezman
Make room for more. If I interpret his Facebook post correctly, Clark’s going to have an interesting mixed offer this weekend.
@pseudogourmet98 Oy.
This was stuff pending from the last ~5 years. No more room, so this had better be a super compelling offer if I’m going to get more!
@klezman @pseudogourmet98
Your above 2012 CS was referring to the bottles Clark had for us?
Given the following comment it almost seemed like you may have gotten a Rat bottle or two.
@klezman @rjquillin
@rjquillin No, that was the stuff that’s been sitting in their storage for years. Need to adjust CT for what was received vs originally ordered (and orders long since lost) but can finally clear those out of my pending list. Ended up with one extra for you from your list - '94 CF.
2010 D Cubed Zinfandel Napa Valley
Same stove as hscottk and ScottW58, similar cabinets, different countertops.
@msten …and similar choice in producers! How was the Zin?
@hscottk Both wines were excellent. On a blind tasting pnp initial thought was an incredibly tannic Pinot Noir. After a few minutes it opened into a finesse, restrained style of Zinfandel. I preferred it over the QC CVR with the strip steaks, asparagus and sweet potatoes. The CVR also paired well, full bodied, fruity with the tannins in balance, but riding in the back seat. It depends on one’s style preference as I like less fruit and more tannins with food. I’d give the nod to the CVR for cocktails, it’s an impressive wine.
2014 Gård Vintners Don Isidro Red Blend
Found one last bottle, hiding in plain sight.
Bixby creek rose
Hood wine company 2015 red blend
With carne asada tacos
2016 Kendric Pinot Noir with mushroom ravioli, leftover tri tip, and pesto.
2014 Scherrer PN, RRV. Delightful. Futures might be in my future!
2013 Grandes Vinos y Viñedos Cariñena Corona de Aragon Special Selection, my first of the lot. Some of the early post-delivery reviews were pretty iffy (despite which I gifted a bottle to my brother), so I was relieved to find it very enjoyable.
@InFrom We enjoyed it too.
@InFrom @msten Same here.
Caliterra has been described in previous posts. It was as billed. Used in a ragu for a pastitsio.
@msten
Was that from the International Case of Mystery?
@chipgreen sad but true.
Flannery pork chops with 2002 Pierre-Jacques Druet Chinon Clos de Danzay
Garagiste is awesome for well priced old wine.
POPSOCKETS! SPROCKETS! DAVY CROCKETT! AWESOME!
@klezman The hog as good as the steer?
@rjquillin I’m no pork expert but it was tasty stuff.
TJs brut rosè, 2021 release. Holding back a few 2020s and one 2019. Seeing this on the shelf is my official welcome to the new holiday season. Cheers!
2018 Orr Wines Chardonnay
Nicely done. Aromatic tropical fruit and citrus, minerality, full smooth mouth.
Wild Chanterelles risotto and braised shrimp.
Not a pairing for the WineSmith offer currently up.
2010 WineSmith Cabernet Franc Lake County, 84 month in barrel - bottling.
@rc70 We now going to have WineSmith Weekends as a thing?
@rjquillin
I’ve certainly got enough of them to make that work for a few years
@rjquillin
I like the sound of that!
Although I personally reserve Clark’s wines for special occasions since my WineSmith inventory isn’t all that vast. Plus, I believe the bottles I do have still have a lot of aging potential.
@kawichris650 @rc70 @catcoland
Yup.
Top 5 in order
Wellington
Harvey
Pedroncelli
Iron Horse
Winesmith
but Peter still reins supreme at 9%+ and is double Scott.
I’ll claim ELP Lucky Man
@catcoland @kawichris650 @rc70 @rjquillin
Let’s keep it present tense, though!
My top 5 are identical but slightly different order.
Scott Harvey
Wellington
WineSmith
Iron Horse
Pedroncelli
Number 6 surprised me = Woot Cellars, then…
Vino Noceto
Zeppelin Winery
Ty Caton
St. Supery
Twisted Oak
Did you include Jana + SuperHero when adding up the Harvey wines? That jumped him from #4 to #1 on my list.
@catcoland @chipgreen @kawichris650 @rc70 @rjquillin
Although I don’t have an inventory, mine is similar with a few exceptions:
No Iron Horse, and very low on Pedroncelli.
I’ve got a lot of Amarone, many are Masi
And I’ve got a lot of Long Point (Finger Lakes Reds made with California Grapes).
Also have some Cameron Hughes, which is often a fantastic QPR.
Oh, and #1 right now is de negoce, which I hope will come around and be very good in the next few years. Couldn’t pass up potentially great Napa / Sonoma and Washington juice at bargain basement prices.
@catcoland @chipgreen @FritzCat @kawichris650 @rc70 @rjquillin de negoce is now my #1, time will tell if we are rewarded. Followed by Wellington, WineSmith, Bedrock, K vintners, Scherrer, Arnot-Roberts and Saunter.
@catcoland @chipgreen @FritzCat @kawichris650 @msten @rc70
In looking to answer the SH question, I see even combining Jana and SuperHero doesn’t change the order, however…
Looking further down the CT sort by producer quantity (desc) there are chinks in the armor where quantity does not actually descend. There are producer entries with lesser quantities sorted above those with greater quantities.
Not sure what I’m missing, or if it’s just a CT glitch.
For instance Halcon (160) is sorted above Woot (172). and Corison (111) is sorted above Twisted Oak (141).
Others seeing anything similar?
That TO below made me look…
@catcoland @chipgreen @FritzCat @kawichris650 @msten @rc70 @rjquillin it adds together both in stock and pending
@catcoland @chipgreen @FritzCat @kawichris650 @klezman @msten @rc70
How does that explain why a smaller number would be sorted above a larger number?
Is it sorting by in-stock only but reporting the aggerate quantity?
If so, it is not well disclosed, that I could find.
@catcoland @chipgreen @FritzCat @kawichris650 @msten @rc70 @rjquillin
It sorts by in-stock + pending
It reports those two things separately
At least that’s been my experience…either way I’m pretty sure computers know how to do basic arithmetic…
@hscottk Mmmm.
@hscottk @InFrom Lamb and Tempranillo, nice.
@hscottk @InFrom @msten
Looks like a great Monday night!
Yeah now I’m hungry
@InFrom @msten @ScottW58 Yeah, it was a nice pairing!
Tasting #1
#2
@bunnymasseuse
#3
@bunnymasseuse
@bunnymasseuse for the record: I don’t play a political side on these forums but the person I’m house sitting for visited this winery…
@bunnymasseuse
Wifey and I have been to the Trump winery 2x. Once when he was still a reality TV star and then again when he was a… reality TV star. Err, I mean President.
The winery was still in the process of sorting itself out after he bought it from Patricia Kluge the first time we visited. We enjoyed the sparklers that time. When we went back 5 or 6 years later, the wines had improved across the board and the sparklers were still great, albeit much more expensive than before.
The Blanc de Noir is our favorite. What did you think?
@bunnymasseuse @chipgreen Somewhat amusing, as Donald Trump is a teetotaler.
@chipgreen @Mark_L technically the bottle says the son is in charge IIRC? I was not a fan of the red Meritage but then I was already glasses of bubbles in, so…… I did prefer the Noir over the Blanc de Blanc, yes.
@bunnymasseuse @Mark_L
Yes, “The Donald” put Eric in charge of the winery from Day 1.
2005 Chase Zinfandel, Hayne Vineyard
Found it on a lower shelf, with the cheap stuff.
Very Good!
@FritzCat Damn! So good 2nd night. I’m going to search my cellar for anything Hayne Vineyard. Maybe I’ve got an old Turley…
@FritzCat This is where CellarTracker can be so handy… Just sayin’.
@InFrom Yes, I agree.
I found a 2010 and a 2011 Turley Hayne Vineyard PS. CT folks have scored them 94 points over the past couple of years. Jackpot!
@FritzCat @InFrom those are probably still too young!
A juice box with pizza
@ScottW58 How’s that vintage? Where’s the juice box?
@klezman
Well it is a little bottle 375, currently good but not nearly as good as the 06
2016 Cabot Vineyards Syrah Humboldt County
It’s Wednesday and it’s national Zinfandel day, so this seems fitting. Cheers!
2016 Peterson Winery Barbera Tollini Vineyard
This is delish! First Barbera out of the recent shipment.
@kawichris650 Good call, I forgot, but dinner wouldn’t work with a zin either; so…
2012 Wellington Vineyards Roussanne
@rjquillin
I wasn’t even aware of it until I saw your previous post about it haha.
@kawichris650
Some grey matter has a very very short half-life.
Y. Rousseau Tannat 2017 with shrimp and grits and collard greens
Just fell off the truck with crab cakes, this is really nice!
@ScottW58 yeah his stuff is pretty good. He have any deals lately?
@klezman @ScottW58
forwarded most recent email
Finished a 2016 Gersing Cellars “Brio” Nebbiolo. Been nursing it the last few days.
2018 WineSmith St. Laurent, Ricci Vineyard
2012 Ridge Mill Zinfandel York Creek
No idea what I’m making for dinner yet…I should get to work on that!
2015 Winter’s Hill Estate Pinot Noir Dundee Hills
First bottle of this I’ve opened. Paired with salmon, halibut and some leftover risotto.
Wine searcher now shows this at nearly $45/btl. Well done WD at under $20.
[edit] oops, not a WD deal…
@rjquillin yeah those were good deals. Wonder if that winery could make an appearance here…
@klezman @rjquillin I ratted a 15 Cuvée du Vigneron back in January of 2020, right before the pandemic. Same stuff? I remember our bottle was slightly fizzy but got better when that blew off.
@hscottk @klezman
Nope, don’t think so, mine was the Dundee Hills bottling.
2004 Pena Roble Reserva Ribera del Duero w/homemade tacos and cilantro lime rice.
2014 Lang & Reed Cabernet Franc North Coast
with some Morgan Wagyu tenderloin tips, that I was lucky enough to get from a BD Monople Crü offer from Morgan Ranch, made into kabobs .
@rjquillin Those are the offers you’re supposed to tell us plebes about!
@klezman
I just happened to check email a few minutes after this dropped.
@rjquillin Only five available? Wow. I guess I’ll forgive that one not coming this way
@klezman @rjquillin Dang, that was a nice offer. I’ve been digging the Morgan Ranch. Did a couple of strips and ribeyes Wednesday night with a '95 Lynch Bages and 2018 Maybach Materium… didn’t suck
@kaolis @klezman @rjquillin
Lol I bet it didn’t suck!
With a pile of dammed green stuff! But I balanced it and made some cheesy green onion biscuits with butter
@ScottW58 You got that wine too? I’m excited to try it.
Flannery rib steaks with 1992 Ravenswood Sonoma Merlot. Wine is awesome. Steaks will be too.
KRULL! A SKULL! BRETT HULL! AWESOME!
2016 Roessler Pinot Noir Hein Family Vineyard
@CorTot Where’d this one come from? Weren’t the others from '08 and '09?
@rjquillin last bottle marathon. They had a few different ones come through.
@rjquillin I looked it up, I ended up with ‘16 hein vineyard & ‘16 Lennox vineyard Pinots
@CorTot I’ve just had to give up on trying to monitor those things. No time, no capacity.
@rjquillin here’s the trick to this.
Open it in a small window in the corner of your screen and add an extension to auto-refresh every 10 seconds. You can kinda watch it while you work through out the day. It peaks during normal working hours. 9-4.
@CorTot
Well, yeah.
Except when I’m in the lab and can’t do that; about 80% of the time…
Likely better that way actually.
2002 Pavi Dolcetto, still ok.
@catcoland
2012, perhaps?
@catcoland @chipgreen
Yeah, likely a '12, but I’ve got '05 and '07 from here, and there was an '02. If it is, even more curious about it…
@chipgreen @rjquillin Yes my last '02 from this somewhat disastrous offer iirc, the cork was soft but intact and hadn’t leaked at all. I was surpised at how good it drank once a little funk blew off, I didn’t save any and don’t think it would have been as good the next day. PAVI MYSTERY LIBRARY DOLCETTO I still have one '03 and one or more each of '05 - 13.
2018 Scott Harvey Barbera with baked, unbreaded chicken parm.
2017 Sunce Francevic Cab Sauv.
Just popped and poured a:
2013 Two Jakes Aspects (the 90 month one).
Pretty good. Can’t wait to see how it develops
overnight in the bottle.
Think I’m going to pop a 2017 Vintage Port 375 tonight too. I’ve got a Niepoort and a Croft…Recommendations?
@FritzCat
Croftpoort
@FritzCat Two Jakes, day two. Very good. Lots of leather and vanilla, long finish and legs like Gisele Bündchen. SWMBO loved it last night, but not as much tonight…some of the fruit is gone, and it’s a little old-world. I taste a little sourness…acid?
I think all I have left of my Wellington are a 2011 Syrah and a 2005 Zin. Maybe it’s time to find out if I’ve waited too long.
@justinh
but it all comes down to preference of course.
Pop one open and let us know how it’s doing! I’m sure both are just fine
@justinh @kawichris650
Likely that Syrah will still be quite young. I’m just not working on the '08 and '09’s.
Which Zin?
@kawichris650 @rjquillin 2005 Sonoma Valley. I opened it and only ended up with 1/4 of the cork in the bottle, so…victory? (Another one I would love to still have a bottle of.)
The Zin was nice and smooth. Lots of fruit still in it. Dark fruit, not dried, so sweet, but not overly sweet.
I had it with some Japanese curry, and that brought out the spices - allspice, clove, cinnamon.
All in all, the best Zin I’ve had.
@kawichris650 @rjquillin
@justinh @kawichris650
Still have an 04 and a few 05s of that. Guess I should find them. We frequently have Japanese curry as well, like last night. I’d not thought of pairing with a Zin; have to try it sometime.
If ever there was a perfect wine this is it IMHO! The label not so much
It’s the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, and that can only mean one thing…
I’m thankful that I still had one more of these, and for a cork that came out in one piece.
Happy turkey day to all my Casemates friends!
2008 Twisted Oak The Spaniard
Serious bottle bouquet going on. Not so lucky with the cork, it crumbled on the way out. Paired with sausage pizza.
@davirom
Making me hungry!!!
@davirom Thanksgiving dinner for lunch? We’re a time zone ahead of you and the turkey isn’t even going in for another 1.5 hours or so!
Starting out with some
2009 Iron Horse Vineyards Classic Vintage Brut
and Premier Selection Oscietra Hybrid from C-fu.
2013 Keller Estate Syrah Rotie
and for swmbo & GF, 2019 St. Supéry Moscato (sigh)
@rjquillin
Your wife and girlfriend both drink Moscato?
@chipgreen swmbo and her gf.
I exist in an oenophilic desert.
@rjquillin
More for RJ! But yeah, it would be nice to share an appreciation for some of the same wines.
Going to open a bubbly soon, I think. Need extra refreshments when we’re with my in-laws.
2012 Rivers-Marie Summa Old Vines
@kaolis nice call! How is it?
@klezman Really good. Big bodied/earthy/nice fruit.
@rc70 great spread!
@klezman @rc70
Very well done!
@rc70 There’s that Victory!
2021 edition of the Kirkland champagne NV. Not sure what’s next yet. We brought 14 bottles with us for five nights, so we’ve got plenty to choose from!
2014 Lutum Pinot Noir, la Rinconada vineyard that’s now finished. Not sure what’s next.
Day 1 with Monday’s offer.
Haden Fig '16 freedom hill Pinot
Trader Joe’s brut rose (2020)
Modern Times “Analog” Saison with whole cluster Marsanne and Roussanne (375mL)
NV Taittinger Brut (375mL)
2014 Bonny Doon Le Cigare Volant Rouge (375mL)
Tiny bottles all around.
2013 Onesta Cinsault with the WB Newbiepalooza event - Jasper Hill Farms Harbison and raspberries per the suggestion on the cheese label. Was just delivered this afternoon. @infrom It is delicious. You really need this cheese in your life. Very nice pairing with the wine.
@chefjess I am definitely going to look out for it when it’s time to make my all-important NYE selection. I’m thinking that I might just find this VT cheese in one of the local cheese shop in Western Mass where I’ll be shopping. I’ve gotten Von Trapp and others from VT.
Anyway, enjoy. I’m in the hunt for the perfect red to go with our incoming dinner order, with Dan Dan noodles and cumin lamb on tonight’s menu.
@chefjess
Yes! That harbison is my favorite cheese.
@ScottW58 @InFrom
Day 2 of the Cinsault and Harbison but this time with the just arrived Zing Preserves, another WB newbiepalooza venture. The ginger was amazing with the Harbison, but was horrible with the wine. Tomorrow will be the Willoughby. The cheeses have suggested fruit/food/libations listed on the labels so I’m sure I can find the correct varietal. This is fun.
@chefjess @InFrom
Have plenty of the cheese!
Well shit now I have to get some of the zing!
@msten Is that from BD?
@InFrom yes, it was well received by the red wine I don’t drink white crowd. Floral nose, fruit and minerality balanced with acidity. Had two bottles and will buy again. I’ve only had 1 of the Pinot Noir, also very nice.
I am not at all a Pinot Noir fan.
That being said, I had a good one once, a Merry Edwards.
However, Pinot Noir is supposed to pair will with Thanksgiving fare, so I opened a bottle of:
2012 Calera de Villiers with Thanksgiving dinner, and finished it tonight…with leftovers.
Both nights it was fantastic, heavy on the cranberry and plenty of flavor. Fabulous!
I might be swayed toward Pinot Noirs after all.
(Most CT reviews for Calera are in the 90s)
@FritzCat we love Pinot in our house, but it’s hard to find the right ones. Cooler climates are needed for us, and they need that earthy funk to keep the wine balanced. Even better if the alcohol doesn’t creep up much above 14% for California or even hit 14% for Oregon.
So when we find Pinot producers we like, we tend to stick with them. You might enjoy Harvest Moon, and they do sometimes sell on here or WD’s other sites.
@klezman Next time I go to the Willamette Valley, I’ll have to be more tolerant.
2018 Château de Vaudieu Châteauneuf-du-Pape
2014 Nysa Vineyard Pinot Noir and pulled a 2001 Kracher Scheurebe No. 9 Trockenbeerenauslese Zwischen den Seen
@kaolis Karcher. Drool.
We visited there once… Amazing wines and people.
To further my exploration of Pinot Noir…
2018 Slander Pinot Noir.
OK, it’s not a fair test. I knew going in that
I’d get amazing flavor from Orin Swift, and
it’s more Orin Swift style than an expression
of Pinot Noir. But it is good.
@FritzCat This is going to be fun to watch! Thanks for keeping us apprised!
@FritzCat
Sandler? If so, one of my faves.
@chipgreen No, Slander, but I’ll look into Sandler…since you mention it. By the way, the Slander was 15.2%.
@FritzCat
Sandler has a Black Friday deal that’s still available which features 2 Pinots, a Cab and a Syrah and includes shipping.
@chipgreen I saw this on the Deals page, recalled that you said it was good, and jumped on it. Thanks!
@FritzCat
I hope you like them!
It occurs to me this is probably over the hill, so we’re going to open a 2007 Wellington Vineyards Grenache Estate
@klezman what was ‘this’, and was it?
@rjquillin it was good, but likely not worth holding any longer.
@klezman @rjquillin
Must have come from one of those old mystery cases.
@klezman The Grenache?
@klezman @rjquillin
Oh! Maybe opening because it’s getting up there in years, not in lieu of something that was determined to be over the hill? Hmmm…
@karenhynes @klezman
This was my interpretation as well, and why I asked the question.
@karenhynes @rjquillin I see…no, we thought it might be over the hill so we opened it. The Grenache.
@karenhynes @klezman @rjquillin
Speaking of Wellington mystery cases, I need to find that 1999 Zinfandel…
Thanksgiving Day, we started with a bottle of 2013 Halyard Brut as an aperitif.
For dinner we opened 2 bottles. A 2018 Iron Horse Unoaked Chardonnay that we were lucky enough to Labrat…
…and a 1.5L 2007 Roessler Pinot Noir Hein Family Vineyard.
Saturday with friends, football and pizza, stuffed jalapenos, meatballs, buffalo chicken dip, charcuterie, veggie platter and miscellaneous snacks…
2012 Tasca D’Almerita Sicilia Le Rose di Regaleali
2010 Astrale e Terra Syrah Estate Atlas Peak
2013 WineSmith Meritage
@msten
How was the wine? I have never heard of it. Btw I dig your kitchen! Do you have a pot filler on that stove
Stars & Dust Rose of Mourvèdre with the Jasper Hill Willoughby. The recommendation on the cheese was rose or sour ale. The rose was not a good pairing so I tried it with a slightly tart ale and it was delicious. Then I opened the Jasper Hill clothbound cheddar. That was great with the Stars & Dust Mourvèdre. I enjoyed the Rose of Grenache more than the Mourvèdre, but it was still a lovely wine as I was half a bottle in before I knew it.
@chefjess
Trying the Willoughby tonight, man is it delicious! Did I read somewhere in that thread you can warm this one up? Anyways great stuff with a little less funk than the harbison.
@ScottW58
Yes it is! That Willouby is a little less acidic and a little rounder. I like the spots of crumble on the rind. I heated the Harbison the second day. SO good! Warm bubbly cheese, similar to a fondue. Yum. I haven’t heated the willoughby. I might try that tomorrow.
FYI- Jasper hill has mini Harbisons available now. I have two on the way, another Willoughby, a few additional cheeses, and a blue cheese to pair with the Wellington port. Wine, cheese, fruit, and the zing preserves has been dinner every day since the cheese and zing arrived. The Willoughby is good with the peach habanero while the harbison is fantastic with the ginger. Good times!
@chefjess
yeah dig the rind on the Willouby, the Oma they sent me is really good too.
Nice! My zings arrive tomorrow
@ScottW58
Let me know what you think about the ginger/harbison pairing. I didn’t receive the Oma. It is worth trying? They sent a Conundrum special edition cheddar which I haven’t opened yet. There’s a Black Friday deal for a conundrum special edition harbison - gin washed with a spruce rind. That sounds interesting. I think my next order may include the Winnemere. Reading the description and suggested beverages I think it might pair really well with the 2015 Briceland petit verdot. I really like that wine and always taste bacon every time I drink it.
@chefjess @ScottW58
Harbison didn’t last long, it was devoured quickly.
The Conundrum Cheddar was excellent both on its own and on Flannery hanger sandwiches.
@rc70 @ScottW58
Ohhh, nice. I don’t have Flannery since I’m in the Midwest and shipping is crazy, but I do have some Morgan Ranch. I’m going to break open the Conundrum cheddar today and grab the Morgan out of the freezer for later this weekend, if the cheddar lasts that long!
@chefjess
Okay have the Willoughby leftover from last night and tried it with all three Zings that I have, Habanero Peach, Ginger and Rhubarb ginger was the winner. The others were slightly overpowered by the cheese, really love the Habanero peach will experiment with the other cheeses I have and will report back, this is fun and delicious!
Drinking for charity tonight. 2015 Domaine de l’Idylle Roussette de Savoie Altesse
Drink something interesting and help send money to charity! https://www.wineberserkers.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=184870
@klezman
Good on you!
@ScottW58 I feel like a putz for missing my 3 Pinot tasting notes for Laura’s House, though. 4 if you include the bubbly.
Lab Rat bottle of 2017 Whitehall Lane Tre Leoni
