Wine Berserkers - international wine social media, online community, and discussion

James Kennedy

John and Phoebe are super responsive. Have had one corked ceritas over dozens of bottles and it was promptly fixed.

Bet that ‘15 PMR is incredible. Too bad mine won’t last more than a couple years.

James Kennedy

That label looks incredibly pristine for a 50 year old bottle - how was this stored? Upright in my eurocave since September. Before that ? Bought from a KL auction and they were reassuring about their relationship with the consigner and taking care of any issues should there be any. Label has a few...

James Kennedy

Kane's prose and memory are quite a bit better than mine but below is my CT note on the '69 with brief comparisons across the vertical. It was an exceptional dinner all around and I feel lucky+blessed the '69 bottle was in good shape and showed so well. I have no doubt the '91 is also a 50+ year win...

James Kennedy

Been 8 years since I visited and it was just a few months after the big earthquake that destroyed quite a few wineries in colchagua so quite a few were either totally closed or partially closed, so take this advice with a grain of salt. Baco restaurant (across alley from le bistrot) had a long list ...

James Kennedy

Thanks!

Between the two codes, restocked the house with a case of champagne for the holidays (thanksgiving weekend).

James Kennedy

Carbonic also changes the ph pretty dramatically - up to .25 on the scale which would make the ‘17 almost three times more acidic than the ‘16 (edit: tech sheet shows only .02 difference on ph which is why Pax probably didn’t use carbonic on ‘17. We can infer that raw product for ‘16 was over double...

James Kennedy

Thanks Tom. It seems like the Castiglione has been closing the gap with the SVDs, but I haven’t done much side by side tasting. What do you think? James Kennedy on here and I both had the 2015 Vietti Barolo against the 15 Ravera and Lazzarito. While I thought that both the Ravera and Lazzarito were...

James Kennedy

Looking to make space for more kid birth year large formats by selling Rhys 2012 3Ls. Alpine Pinot Horseshoe Pinot Selling at my cost from way back in 2014 ($350 each). Prefer hand off locally in DFW as shipping is prohibitively costly but will pass through shipping cost if needed. Also have OWCs if...

James Kennedy

96 Salon 96 Dom 02 Krug I have an event with some heavyweights in early Nov. I have not popped 08 Cristal yet--worth the infanticide? Scott, I would say no based on my experience with the 2008 Cristal. Agreed. Or drink a glass and plug it up for day two. Found day two it showed alright but still no...

James Kennedy

I hope this isn’t mansplaining. Carbonic fermentation only brings you to about 2-3% alcohol and converts some of the acid, similar to malo, which raises ph (significantly, which is my biggest concern with ageability). Carbonic still needs to go through “traditional” fermentation after the carbonic s...

James Kennedy

The 2017 Hillsides is 100% whole cluster. His 2018 Valdiguie is carbonic. His Trousseau Gri is also partly carbonic as well as his Gamay Noir(whole cluster and partial carbonic maceration) Looks like the ‘16 is both 100% whole cluster and 100% carbonic. 2016SonomaHillsidesTechSheet.pdf Can’t find i...

James Kennedy

For one bottle under $500, maybe a Colgin? Otherwise I think Schrader is one of the most representative American wines for the price - over the top and flamboyant yet interesting and delicious. If you want a representative example of American enterprise in the wine industry, a Caymus and Meomi with ...

James Kennedy

Had a discussion about ageability of the pax Sonoma hillsides (the ‘16 in particular) a few days ago with a fellow berserker. I also feel like if they’re drinking excellent now that I should enjoy now and save few/none as an experiment later (can always find at auction if I’m wrong). Not enough expe...

James Kennedy

FWIW one thing that pissed me off was we tasted there last November and bought the 16 when the new pricing was introduced. They offered to ship the wine but we were there and driving home the next day so shipping created more unnecessary risk. We still had to pay the higher tariff which included th...

James Kennedy

This thread’s message is so vague but I think I understand the spirit. 2017 Novicium offer out today (second label of continuum) for....$150/bottle. IIRC, the 2013 was $80/bottle. Bought every vintage of Continuum 2009 and prior for less than $150/bottle. The Novicium offer today sold out in less t...

James Kennedy

Very nice. Give me a shout next time - I’m walking distance to TJs and can contribute (but I’ll still drive/uber because Dallas). Tried a 165eme last week and it was by far the lightest expression of Krug I’ve ever tasted. Like an aluminum fist in a velvet glove? Just not ready and needing time to ...

James Kennedy

This thread’s message is so vague but I think I understand the spirit. 2017 Novicium offer out today (second label of continuum) for....$150/bottle. IIRC, the 2013 was $80/bottle. Bought every vintage of Continuum 2009 and prior for less than $150/bottle. The Novicium offer today sold out in less th...

James Kennedy

Very nice. Give me a shout next time - I’m walking distance to TJs and can contribute (but I’ll still drive/uber because Dallas). Tried a 165eme last week and it was by far the lightest expression of Krug I’ve ever tasted. Like an aluminum fist in a velvet glove? Just not ready and needing time to g...

James Kennedy

I was "struck" by those statements too, Anton. An hour under store lights results in stinky sulfur, cabbage and TCA-like wet cardboard aromas? Maybe an unwrapped bottle of Cristal sitting inches from a big fluorescent bulb... I wonder if we can start to sell "wine swaddling" so people can get their...

James Kennedy

Good read and very accurate! Black rot was brutal this year.

Thanks for posting the link.

James Kennedy

Forget it, Bob. It’s Chinatown.

James Kennedy

Justin, thank you for your most gracious gesture of appreciation. I was blown away by it. IMHO Saxum has always been a model of excellence so many other wineries could learn from. It’s in their DNA - every release is a sellout. As for what appears to me as insanity debating the motivation and proto...

James Kennedy

Justin, thank you for your most gracious gesture of appreciation. I was blown away by it. IMHO Saxum has always been a model f excellence so many other wineries could learn from. It’s in their DNA - every release is a sellout. As for what appears to me as insanity debating the motivation and protoc...

James Kennedy

Not ITB, but a few years ago decided to humble myself by growing grapes and making wine in my Dallas backyard. While on a biz trip this past week, the ~30lbs of grapes hanging were entirely eaten by squirrels. Had to vent. Now seeking local fruit so I can make something this year. Lol, that sucks. ...

James Kennedy

Not ITB, but a few years ago decided to humble myself by growing grapes and making wine in my Dallas backyard.

While on a biz trip this past week, the ~30lbs of grapes hanging were entirely eaten by squirrels. Had to vent. Now seeking local fruit so I can make something this year.

James Kennedy

Thanks for the tasting notes. Definitely surprised about 06 and 09 entering prime window - seems super early based on my older MB experience. Early to mid 90s are right about prime with one or two not yet ready (i.e. '91)

Disclosure: I am cellaring all of these but have not tasted any to date.

James Kennedy

WALLET OPEN

James Kennedy

FYI, this is active though I haven't received an offer email yet.

2+2 offered, 750s and mags.

James Kennedy

Signed up about 45 min after email and JUST now received confirmation email (4 hour delay?). Same language as written upthread.

James Kennedy

I wonder what the true production was; even if it was down in 2008 I bet there's still a tremendous amount being held back pending the success or failure of this little experiment In the end I'd rather the producer capture the consumer surplus than have a big gap between allocation prices and secon...

James Kennedy

Paul H Galli wrote: ↑
July 2nd, 2019, 8:38 pm

D@vid Bu3ker wrote: ↑
July 2nd, 2019, 6:22 pm
Some 2006 Alpine earlier this year.
! agree 100% with this.
The 2006 Alpine is one of the best Rhys pinots ever...

TTT

Good to know! Just ordered one and will try in the fall.

James Kennedy

The oldest Home vineyards I’ve had are 2010 and those took a good 2-3 days to blossom, with each day revealing new flavors and aromas. I know that’s not a perfect predictor for longevity or, as David put it, further development, but it’s the best proxy I have. My comment derived from the trend of Ho...

James Kennedy

Thank you for your sacrifice. I debate if Home vyd is my favorite or second favorite Rhys Pinot and always order a couple extra due to their longevity.

Looking forward to these in a few years.

James Kennedy

Based on my recent (online) auction experience, 750s sell at higher price points than mags. With my anecdotal experience selling identical wines in different sizes, 750s are coming in about 20% higher price by volume. Examples are American wines ranging from 3-15 years old. The sampling of young Am...

James Kennedy

Based on my recent (online) auction experience, 750s sell at higher price points than mags. With my anecdotal experience selling identical wines in different sizes, 750s are coming in about 20% higher price by volume. Examples are American wines ranging from 3-15 years old.

James Kennedy

I got the notice TODAY in the mail, postmarked June 6. No wine for me. For hipsters who don’t use email and internet, do you spring for certified mail when responding with orders for highly allocated wines? I have probably had an email account since before you were born, but this one either never c...

James Kennedy

J a y H a c k wrote: ↑
June 19th, 2019, 7:04 pm
I got the notice TODAY in the mail, postmarked June 6. No wine for me.

For hipsters who don’t use email and internet, do you spring for certified mail when responding with orders for highly allocated wines?

James Kennedy

K John Joseph wrote: ↑
June 19th, 2019, 3:06 pm

James Kennedy wrote: ↑
June 19th, 2019, 3:05 pm
No offer here. Would kind of like an email indicating the status, even if it’s a rejection. Maybe they’re holding off in case some lottery winners don’t take a bottle?
You submitted for the both of us on this too, right?

I’ll forward you my rejection letter if it ever arrives

James Kennedy

No offer here. Would kind of like an email indicating the status, even if it’s a rejection. Maybe they’re holding off in case some lottery winners don’t take a bottle?

James Kennedy

And secondary price seems to fluctuate quite a bit. Sent a few to KL and they’re hammering (this month) for just a bit over $100, nowhere close to the wine searcher pricing.

Around the holidays they seemed to be going for 50% higher (lesson learned).

James Kennedy

Also interested in TN for the ‘14 still Pinot. Been holding my sole bottle to compare with the ‘14 sparklers which I’m trying to give at least a year from disgorgement.

James Kennedy

Big fan here as well. First exposure was through a multi-bottle vertical of 01-03 I picked up at auction a few years back, not expecting much - I think it worked out to about $20/bottle so figured they might be over the hill. Each one has been surprisingly good, with the 03s consistently the best of...

James Kennedy

I was feeling FOMO for a moment, then discovered it in my spam box. Looking forward to this, though timing with all the other releases is brutal.

James Kennedy

John, the 05 CDE was the perfect expression of “bordeaux” on the nose that underdelivered (to me) in terms of complexity and intensity on the palate. No doubt the palate will unfurl and nose will mellow out with time but that night it smelled like a Jackson Pollock and tasted like a Rothko. It also ...

James Kennedy

John, keep the notes coming! Thank you for organizing an incredible weekend of wine and food. It was a pleasure to meet everyone and I appreciate those who flew in (Todd, Jorge) and those who drove long distances to judge a remarkable line up of wines. My two takeaways from the weekend: 1. No matter...

James Kennedy

Here's what I'm thinking: Friday (BBQ): - Sparkler/White - 2000 Clos De Goisses For Reds, personally I love Barbera/Zin or something with riper fruit to complement the brisket and beef ribs (with or without sauce) - 2011 G. Conterno Barbera Cascina Francia - 2010 Chateau Le Dome (haven't tried befor...

James Kennedy

David, I’ve experienced the same. When these bottles are on, they’re incredible. Unfortunately bottle variation is a major issue that I optimistically think will be fixed with each new vintage, but have yet to see improvement. I posted about my experience and concerns in another UM thread but was qu...

James Kennedy

96 Salon > 96 Krug And I want the Krug to win since it was our wedding night wine. Both exhibit unexpected and gorgeous citrus elements right now, however, Salon is richer, more complex and more polished after these 22 years. Relatively, the Krug is thinner, shorter on the palette and less intense t...

James Kennedy

Opened one in anticipation of release this week and experienced the strong apple flavor, for the first time in their BDN. Anyone think the apple note makes the wine taste flat and is a flaw? I’ve seen it on average in every third BDB bottle and chalked it up to bottle variation. The majority I’ve ha...

James Kennedy

When can we start speculating on how much $$?

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