Just made and demolished a mixed drink:
4 year old rum
splash of raspberry vodka
splash of cinnamon cordial
aromatic bitters
verjus from Navarro Vineyards
birch syrup (like maple syrup, but from birch)
Italian strawberries in syrup
Next we’re going to open the latest Costco find for $26+tax: NV Albert Lebrun Champagne Grand Cru
2011 Gundlach Bundschu Gewurztraminer from the 2012 RPM Newbie Tour. Thanks to @neilfindswine for buying a bottle of this for everyone to sample after the winery declined to let us taste it upon request. Because of Neil’s generosity a number of us bought bottles of GunBun Gewurz.
@neilfindswine
It held up very well. The cork was in great shape, the nose was wonderfully expressive, full of floral and tropical notes and it tasted fresh and vibrant despite 9 years in the bottle!
Thank you for posting this and thanks to neilfindswine for doing that! This is the first I’ve heard of his gesture! I’m embarrassed and would have done what he did had I known!
@rpm@neilfindswine
I am sure you would have done the same but you didn’t have the chance as that was the overlap day and you and @woopdedoo were with the veterans. We met up with you later that afternoon at the Robert Craig tasting salon, which ironically turned out to be a better stop for the newbs than the vets.
We had a fun outdoor Chardonnay tasting on top of some wine barrels before heading inside to taste some of the big boy Cabs. That is where I fell in love with Howell Mountain Cab. Unlike what I heard (later) from the vets, we did not get any of the high pressure sales pitches - in fact the reps who took care of us were very laid back and willing to answer all of our questions.
@hscottk@rjquillin CT doesn’t say you have this. You have the Klamath Cuvee.
It looks like I had one of the latter a few months ago and it was great.
The former has a few motes of being corked recently, and I had a 2009 Cabot Syrah that was corked semi-recently, too.
@klezman@rjquillin@rc70@scottw58 This was the generic HC Syrah. Was my 4th of 6 bottles from BD; first 3 were great. And this was definitely not corked. Could have been heat, but none of the other bottles had an issue.
I really can’t complain, overall. I’ve had very few compromised bottles over the years.
@chipgreen Got this from Garagiste after having had a “Riserva” bottling from the same producer a couple years prior. I liked the Riserva more than this one, and I liked this one younger more than at 5 years of age. It lost some of its floral distinctiveness. Could be vintage or could be the bottling, not sure.
2005 Havens Bourriquot, a Cab Franc, Merlot blend from Napa Valley. Bought it a long time ago, when ('TSO, 'OOT???) were selling a bunch of Havens.
Very Good! Not over the hill at all, Cellar Tracker folks are giving it a 92-93 point rating. SWMBO says “Bandaids”, which is usually a sign of Bordeauxs.
@chipgreen IDK, I didn’t taste any Brett whatsoever, but then I didn’t taste bandaids either. Oh no!..The 'Rona! I know that Brett isn’t the same as Cork Taint, but I can taste Cork Taint from 6 feet away.
Was cleaning out a cellar I purchased and found a few mags of these.
It just may be Coravin instead of Wellington Wednesday tomorrow…
for science, after it settles a bit.
@InFrom@ScottW58
Yes it is…
Well, things could have gone better, or much worse, depending on how one cares to view it.
I did pick the bottle that absolutely, imo, was in the worst condition.
The Coravin was a fail, couldn’t get the needle in without moving the cork down; stop!
Reassess.
Clearly this wasn’t going to be just a sample pour…
Try the Durand.
So, a few, in progress pictures.
Totally soaked cork, as you can see. Some careful cleaning kept nearly all debris out of the bottle.
It’s not Whoa!, drinking well, blew your mind??
None of the above, best description…
hanging on by it’s finger nails (barely)
But it’s not totally over the hill either, pretty decent nose; no wet dog or Brett and if you can deal with a touch of VA, it’s pretty interesting. Still really stirred up from travel and pretty cloudy, but it’s got the color of a well aged cab with no browning at the rim.
This was a great bottle, and I’ll not cook with this one, but clearly the issues are entirely with the cork, not storage, well, ok storage affects the cork, but it’s not cooked from poor storage.
The VA does seem to diminish after some time in glass. Does that make any sense?
It was $15. I’ll roll the dice any day for a chance.
One down, three (well, actually one promised) so two to go.
@chefjess@Winedavid49 Love it, but you have to like Harvest Moon already, I suspect. Great bottle and I’d probably have to break the WBM if that showed up here.
I’m currently taking inventory of my beer collection. I came across 6 of these that have been stashed away for the past 8 years. Decided to try one and holy crap is it ever good.
@hscottk With the caveat that it was a heat damaged bottle from a shipping mishap, this was nonetheless in great shape. No rush at all if the rest of the bottles are undamaged. But you won’t go wrong trying a bottle now - think of it as a new world Brunello.
Have you ever taken Chipotle over to your mom’s house, forgetting to take a bottle of wine? Then remember that there’s a case or so in her basement that you couldn’t let SWMBO see you drag into the house. Then go down and see that it’s a mixed case of Ty Caton, pull a bottle out that says “Red Wine” on it, and think “good enough for Chipotle”. Damn! Ty Caton makes some fine “Red Wine”.
@ScottW58
Seems like an adventurous pairing - how was it? For that matter, can you tell me more about the wine itself? I have never had a Cassis. What grape variety is it?
@chipgreen
I would not suggest this pairing but I had 3/4th of a bottle leftover from lunch it’s kind of a kitchen sink blend of Ugni blanc, Claudette, Marsanne, and Sauvignon blanc. Imagine your standing in a bed of flowers at the ocean and an ocean breeze comes in, that’s what it smells like. It’s hard for me to get my nose out of the glass, medium acidity and f’ing delicious everytime.
@rjquillin
Funny you mention that, in all the years I have been buying this wine almost all the bottles had soaked corks, never had a bad bottle tho. When I pulled this cork it seemed shiner than most? Maybe they are trying to improve that?
@FritzCat Quite nicely. Plenty of life left (not surprising, considering it is from Clark). Somewhat tart upon opening, became smoother as the night progressed.
@Mark_L Thanks, opened one up and I agree with your assessment. Mouth-filling and yummy. I’ll put the second half of the bottle on the counter and see how it is tomorrow.
Celebrated @drhellknow’s birthday with my two favorite wines: 2007 Winesmith RRV Pinot Noir and 2010 Cabernet Franc (from his collection. It’s nice having good friends!)
2007 Scott Harvey Old Vines Reserve Zinfandel from a Wooster Inn Wine Dinner. Just a room full of wooters.
Quite a collection of wines being served tonight.
Starting with a still Basque apple cider we got in our Garagiste arrivals, then moving on to a 1989 Ravenswood Cooke Vineyard Zinfandel with a bison and beef steak side by side comparison.
Just made and demolished a mixed drink:
4 year old rum
splash of raspberry vodka
splash of cinnamon cordial
aromatic bitters
verjus from Navarro Vineyards
birch syrup (like maple syrup, but from birch)
Italian strawberries in syrup
Next we’re going to open the latest Costco find for $26+tax: NV Albert Lebrun Champagne Grand Cru
Hot toddy, recovering from an overdone night into 2021!
Since I forgot yesterday was New years…
Storybook Mountain Zinfandel, 2008
Same as we had at the Paris Restaurant in Vegas,
ten years ago. Thought we should start the year right.
Japanese New Year
And this is what happens when you have two women in the house…
@rjquillin Looks like fun!
@InFrom Tradition now for over 15 years, tho one couple from Yuma has dropped out the past two years. Now, just the three of us.
2015 Graybehl Grenache Mathis Vineyards.
2011 Gundlach Bundschu Gewurztraminer from the 2012 RPM Newbie Tour. Thanks to @neilfindswine for buying a bottle of this for everyone to sample after the winery declined to let us taste it upon request. Because of Neil’s generosity a number of us bought bottles of GunBun Gewurz.
…those were the days my friend! How’s that holding up after a good spell of bottle age?
@neilfindswine
It held up very well. The cork was in great shape, the nose was wonderfully expressive, full of floral and tropical notes and it tasted fresh and vibrant despite 9 years in the bottle!
Thank you for posting this and thanks to neilfindswine for doing that! This is the first I’ve heard of his gesture! I’m embarrassed and would have done what he did had I known!
@rpm @neilfindswine
I am sure you would have done the same but you didn’t have the chance as that was the overlap day and you and @woopdedoo were with the veterans. We met up with you later that afternoon at the Robert Craig tasting salon, which ironically turned out to be a better stop for the newbs than the vets.
We had a fun outdoor Chardonnay tasting on top of some wine barrels before heading inside to taste some of the big boy Cabs. That is where I fell in love with Howell Mountain Cab. Unlike what I heard (later) from the vets, we did not get any of the high pressure sales pitches - in fact the reps who took care of us were very laid back and willing to answer all of our questions.
Made some French onion soup with this,good god not many people in california are making wine this good!
@ScottW58 It’s also 20 years old now…
@ScottW58 He’s not even making wine any more, I thought.
@klezman
Sadly he is not.
Cabot 2010 Syrah. Heavily oxidized with a strong whiff of alcohol and flavors of stewed fruit. You win some, you lose some.
@hscottk
Thanks for the sitrep, hope others are doing better.
@klezman
Adam, can you dig into the locker up there, box K20, and pull one of these and it’s cork to see how it’s doing?
@hscottk
That’s a shame, I show I drank my 2 from this years BD purchase on 5/31 & 8/22 and both were drinking very well.
@hscottk
Eh not all corks are created equal.
@hscottk @rjquillin CT doesn’t say you have this. You have the Klamath Cuvee.
It looks like I had one of the latter a few months ago and it was great.
The former has a few motes of being corked recently, and I had a 2009 Cabot Syrah that was corked semi-recently, too.
@klezman @rjquillin @rc70 @scottw58 This was the generic HC Syrah. Was my 4th of 6 bottles from BD; first 3 were great. And this was definitely not corked. Could have been heat, but none of the other bottles had an issue.
I really can’t complain, overall. I’ve had very few compromised bottles over the years.
2013 Woot Cellars Revelry - Still very good and I’m glad I have a case remaining yet.
2017 Longplay Hi Tone Pinot Noir…very smooth.
@Twich22 One of my favourites - one bottle remaining for me. How’s it doing?
@klezman drinkin real nice. Smooth but still lots of flavor.
2015 Mario Lucchetti Lacrima di Morro d’Alba
@klezman
I am a fan of Lacrima in general. What do you think of this one?
@chipgreen Got this from Garagiste after having had a “Riserva” bottling from the same producer a couple years prior. I liked the Riserva more than this one, and I liked this one younger more than at 5 years of age. It lost some of its floral distinctiveness. Could be vintage or could be the bottling, not sure.
@klezman I had the ‘17. Floral nose, tannins, medium body. Good with or without food. Tasted Italian. Great for a sawbuck.
2012 Handley Pinot Noir Anderson Valley
2005 Havens Bourriquot, a Cab Franc, Merlot blend from Napa Valley. Bought it a long time ago, when ('TSO, 'OOT???) were selling a bunch of Havens.
Very Good! Not over the hill at all, Cellar Tracker folks are giving it a 92-93 point rating. SWMBO says “Bandaids”, which is usually a sign of Bordeauxs.
@FritzCat Damn good with Nachos!
@FritzCat
I thought “bandaids” was a sign of Brettanomyces.
@chipgreen IDK, I didn’t taste any Brett whatsoever, but then I didn’t taste bandaids either. Oh no!..The 'Rona! I know that Brett isn’t the same as Cork Taint, but I can taste Cork Taint from 6 feet away.
Yesterday: 2019 Jana Sauvignon Blanc
Today: 2010 Two Jakes Petite Sirah
Might as well throw in some 2015 Graton Ridge Petite Sirah dessert wine tonight for good measure
One of my new favorites! garnacha so not to offend @infrom
@ScottW58 Excelente!
2012 Ca‘ Rozzeria Barolo Tre Comuni
Starting off nicely…bright and fresh. Tannins are picking up steam with air.
Was cleaning out a cellar I purchased and found a few mags of these.
It just may be Coravin instead of Wellington Wednesday tomorrow…
for science, after it settles a bit.
@rjquillin Whoa!
@rjquillin you bought a cellar!? I thought you had several already. Is this like storage wars?
@rjquillin
One of the great ones, I hope it survived!
@CorTot i was thinking more like “We Bought a Zoo”
@rjquillin
Totally shot, hanging on by it’s finger nails, drinking well, blew your mind?? What say you?
@ScottW58
@rjquillin @ScottW58 OK it’s Wednesday now.
@InFrom @ScottW58
Yes it is…
Well, things could have gone better, or much worse, depending on how one cares to view it.
I did pick the bottle that absolutely, imo, was in the worst condition.
The Coravin was a fail, couldn’t get the needle in without moving the cork down; stop!
Reassess.
Clearly this wasn’t going to be just a sample pour…
Try the Durand.
So, a few, in progress pictures.
Totally soaked cork, as you can see. Some careful cleaning kept nearly all debris out of the bottle.
It’s not Whoa!, drinking well, blew your mind??
None of the above, best description…
hanging on by it’s finger nails (barely)
But it’s not totally over the hill either, pretty decent nose; no wet dog or Brett and if you can deal with a touch of VA, it’s pretty interesting. Still really stirred up from travel and pretty cloudy, but it’s got the color of a well aged cab with no browning at the rim.
This was a great bottle, and I’ll not cook with this one, but clearly the issues are entirely with the cork, not storage, well, ok storage affects the cork, but it’s not cooked from poor storage.
The VA does seem to diminish after some time in glass. Does that make any sense?
It was $15. I’ll roll the dice any day for a chance.
One down, three (well, actually one promised) so two to go.
Here’s another one that should be interesting…
@InFrom @rjquillin
nice!
The durand is the king! Nothing it can’t handle
@rjquillin @ScottW58 So interesting, thanks for documenting it for us.
No clue what I’m going to eat with it?
@ScottW58 We paired with Thai food several times.
How about some nice grilled shrimp?
@InFrom
@InFrom
with some fregola and spanish seasoning
You read my mind
@ScottW58 OMG that looks yum.
One last bubbly bottle for the Berserker charity week: 2013 Harvest Moon Zinfandel Sparkling Russian River Valley
@klezman @winedavid49
Nice! How is it?
I’ve been asking WineDavid for a Harvest Moon sparkling red since we last saw it on woot.
@chefjess @Winedavid49 Love it, but you have to like Harvest Moon already, I suspect. Great bottle and I’d probably have to break the WBM if that showed up here.
2017 E11even Petit Verdot. Not perfect with the after dinner chocolate/immolation of our democracy.
2010 Wellington Meeks Hilltop Ranch Zinfandel
I’m currently taking inventory of my beer collection. I came across 6 of these that have been stashed away for the past 8 years. Decided to try one and holy crap is it ever good.
@kawichris650 Hanging out in WI for a bit, just picked up a few Central Waters brews
An old favorite, 2014
2018 Limerick Lane RRV Zin
2013 Turley Zinfandel Sadie Upton
2016 Ca‘ Rozzeria Chianti Classico Riserva.
2011 Vino Noceto Sangiovese AX-1
@klezman How was it? Drink/hold? I’ve been holding mine and need a reason to pop one.
@hscottk With the caveat that it was a heat damaged bottle from a shipping mishap, this was nonetheless in great shape. No rush at all if the rest of the bottles are undamaged. But you won’t go wrong trying a bottle now - think of it as a new world Brunello.
2015 Castello di Gabbiano Chianti Classico Riserva
2019 Gård Vintners Grenache Grand Klasse Reserve Lawrence Vineyards With some take out.
Have you ever taken Chipotle over to your mom’s house, forgetting to take a bottle of wine? Then remember that there’s a case or so in her basement that you couldn’t let SWMBO see you drag into the house. Then go down and see that it’s a mixed case of Ty Caton, pull a bottle out that says “Red Wine” on it, and think “good enough for Chipotle”. Damn! Ty Caton makes some fine “Red Wine”.
Three guesses…
…and then you noticed the “Tytanium” logo?
I hope Mom appreciated it!
@chipgreen Leftover Tytanium can lead to day-drinking.
And, fortunately mom doesn’t drink wine.
With some Texas chili
@ScottW58
Seems like an adventurous pairing - how was it? For that matter, can you tell me more about the wine itself? I have never had a Cassis. What grape variety is it?
@chipgreen
it’s kind of a kitchen sink blend of Ugni blanc, Claudette, Marsanne, and Sauvignon blanc. Imagine your standing in a bed of flowers at the ocean and an ocean breeze comes in, that’s what it smells like. It’s hard for me to get my nose out of the glass, medium acidity and f’ing delicious everytime.
I would not suggest this pairing but I had 3/4th of a bottle leftover from lunch
@ScottW58
Sounds nice!
2006 Ridge Zinfandel York Creek
2018 Beau Vigne Cult Cabernet Sauvignon
2017 OTP Rosé
2018 municipal winemakers Debra rose
2007 Moran Manor Anagram
2020 Concha y Toro Malbec Reservado
Sterling Vineyards Blanc de Blancs
A tannic monster! But nice fruit hiding behind
give it another 10 years or leave it for your children!
2014 Zilliken (Forstmeister Geltz) Saarburger Rausch Riesling Kabinett
2010 Sun River Vintners Souzão Angelica Red Heaven Vineyard Red Mountain
2015 Thomas Fogarty Pinot Noir Single Vineyard Series Nelson Family Vineyard
Another old favorite, I think RJQ reminded me to pick some of this up
@ScottW58
How was the cork?
I recall mine 50% saturated.
@rjquillin
Funny you mention that, in all the years I have been buying this wine almost all the bottles had soaked corks, never had a bad bottle tho. When I pulled this cork it seemed shiner than most? Maybe they are trying to improve that?
2012 Rapture Cabernet from Michael & David Phillips, Lodi. Yummy
2013 WineSmith Meritage. Glad I’ve got the majority of my case to still enjoy!
@Mark_L How’s it drinking now. I’ve got some too.
@FritzCat Quite nicely. Plenty of life left (not surprising, considering it is from Clark). Somewhat tart upon opening, became smoother as the night progressed.
@Mark_L Thanks, opened one up and I agree with your assessment. Mouth-filling and yummy. I’ll put the second half of the bottle on the counter and see how it is tomorrow.
@Mark_L Considering the gravity of the day, we had to wash the Meritage down with a wee dram of Any Gorilla.
@FritzCat @Mark_L What strong juice do you have lind up for today then?!?
@klezman @Mark_L Just the two Winesmiths. Totally satisfying…almost as much so as today’s news.
2014 Château Paradis Coteaux d’Aix-en-Provence Essenciel de Paradis
I thought I was out of these, found another one.
Tasty and inexpensive.
Celebrated @drhellknow’s birthday with my two favorite wines: 2007 Winesmith RRV Pinot Noir and 2010 Cabernet Franc (from his collection. It’s nice having good friends!)
@KitMarlot
That 2007 RRV Pinot is sublime…
Always a great night when I drink one of Kelley’s wines!
@ScottW58 Love this wine. Should have bought more!
2014 Scherrer Winery Zinfandel Old and Mature Vines Scherrer Vineyard Alexander Valley
2013 Wellington Vineyards Syrah Charlie Walker’s Corner
2007 Scott Harvey Old Vines Reserve Zinfandel from a Wooster Inn Wine Dinner. Just a room full of wooters.
Quite a collection of wines being served tonight.
@msten
You can’t spell Wooster without Wooters.
Those were the days…
2017/2018 Far Niente Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley
The '17 has a bit more pucker power, a plus for me.
Neither are ready, imo, Scott…
@rjquillin
You called
@ScottW58 Whenever I pull a cork on a < 10 year CS, I think of you and wonder why I do such things.
@rjquillin
So you admit you’re smart to try new wines before you get in too deep and find out you don’t like them, nice.
@rjquillin @ScottW58 That’s why, assuming Erica Orr will be on BD, I need to try a couple from my six pack.
2018 Fratelli Perata “Bel’Bruzzo” Montepulciano.
A new-to-me grape from a new-to-me Paso winery. Quite tasty!
2008 Broc Cellars Grenache Dry Stack Vineyard
@chipgreen
Ohh I haven’t had a Broc in a while, how is it drinking?
@ScottW58
Very well. Hardly showing its age at all!
![enter image description here![][1]](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIABAP///wAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==)
Just pulled out my bottle of 2013 Matthew Gibson Winery Syrah Estate from the 2018 RPM Tour.
@WineDavid49, you should see if you can get them on here!
2012 Laura Michael Zinfandel
Day three. No special treatment. Just a cork and back in the fridge. Would’ve thought I opened it up ten minutes ago.
2013 Engracia Syrah Deerfield Vineyard, that was a good one. All gone now.
2003 York Creek Cabernet Sauvignon Track
@klezman
Have you tried the '06 yet?
Or did I not get you one?
Just saw Vivino has them for $48.
Yowsa.
@rjquillin tried an 06, I think, of the estate. Check CT.
Monticello vineyards Presidential red Cabernet '17
@CorTot 2005 was my first woot years ago!
Starting with a still Basque apple cider we got in our Garagiste arrivals, then moving on to a 1989 Ravenswood Cooke Vineyard Zinfandel with a bison and beef steak side by side comparison.
@rc70
Nice! Hollenback potatoes? Oops hasselback