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Here are some brief notes of the modestly priced wines we've opened in recent weeks at home: Dr. Loosen 2002 Riesling Ürziger Würzgarten Auslese Goldkapsel #40 – fell short of high expectations for our only bottle. Rich fruit, but not quite enough acidity, so it came across as a bit flat. Alesia (Rh...

1995 Domaine Joblot Givry 1er Cru Clos du Cellier Aux Moines - France, Burgundy, Côte Chalonnaise, Givry 1er Cru (4/2/2020) Over the hill. Too bad. Those 1998s I got from you showed great. We specialed them at Rue Cler and folks loved them. Really cool to be able to serve something with age for <$1...

For older vintages, 1999 is just a flat out great vintage. The top wines can still be a bit young, but boy are the 1999 good. 2001 (a bit more nuanced) and 2002 (a bit richer) are also good choices for wines drinking well now. And, when considering buying older wine, storage is everything. Burgundy...

Kent,
I’m excited to read your TN. I own a bunch of the 2006 Riserva. Even if it’s not a full step up from “flat out sensational,” I figure I’m in for a treat. May wait a couple more years before cracking one though.
Regards,
Peter

I’m thinking about 2012 Family Farm or Alpine Pinot. I’d prefer to wait a few years before opening the Swan. Likewise, the Skyline Pinot was amazing at release, but I’m hoarding my 1-2 bottles for awhile.
See you Thursday,
Peter

Voted for Friday. But in for either day.
Peter

2004 is a poor vintage for the Christoffel estate. Generally though, 2004s are drinking quite well mostly across the board. Thanks, David, for the feedback. I really enjoyed the Christoffel 2001s, and then even though the 2002s and especially 2003s were sold at steep discounts, they were surprising...

Charles, Totally agree that this wine is balanced and delicious. Drank our 2nd and last bottle earlier this year. Wish we had more. I was wondering if other 2004 German Rieslings (mostly Mosel and Nahe) were also showing at peak. We opened JJ Christoffel Urz Wurz Spatlese this week. Disappointing — ...

FWIW I’ve had several 2002 Baumard Savennieres in the past 3-4 years that were POX in my opinion. 15 year old chenin, even dry versions, shouldn’t be dead/unpleasant even if you prefer fresher wines.
Regards,
Peter

Down. Also, we're happy drinkers - that is, we drink when we're relaxed and happy and enjoying life, with less taste for wine when things are rough. Same here. My stress is high right now, running a nonprofit community health center and worried about staff and patients as well as economics. I don't...

... I find that the red Bordeaux of less than 20 years are far from having reached what they are able to express. But it is also linked to the fact that after buying the 2000 vintage, I stopped buying Bordeaux for two reasons: on the one hand, their price, since for many wines the price of old wine...

Bill, Looks like your cellar is not lacking in humidity! neener Sounds like a lovely bottle. Was Saint Estephe as well regarded in 1982 as other communes? I recall not loving the '82 Cos d'Estournel the one time I had it (falling short of high expectations), but don't ever recall trying the Calon Se...

I’ve had the 2011 and 2012 Griffe as well, and neither showed as well as they did in that 2-year early window you note. So I am assuming at this stage hold for the 12-15+ Year window? Robert, Last week we drank a fabulous bottle of the 2010 Coudert Griffe du Marquis. Firing on all cylinders; so goo...

Dav1d S@wyer wrote: ↑
January 26th, 2020, 8:41 am
I’ve ordered a mixed case the last two years. These are fantastic wines, especially at this price!

+1
crazy deal
And don’t ignore the chardonnay just because the reds are good!
Peter

Very interesting to hear about the variability. I bought a case back in 2007, stuck it in the back of the cellar, and haven't even looked at the CT notes since then. I'm tempted to open one as an experiment, after reading this, though it would normally be way too soon for my taste. I only have 1-2 ...

High land prices in desirable wine regions are a function of wine prices, not the other way around. If Napa cab producers couldn't get $100 (or $500) per bottle because they needed to compete with whisky/whiskey on price, then Napa land would cost a lot less. It's consumers' willingness to pay LOTS ...

Got a box yesterday from Will congratulating me on new baby with a couple of his 2017s and a card. Super cool gesture, huge thanks Will. That is outrageously inconsiderate of Will. He wasn't even thoughtful enough to match vintages. What the heck is the baby expected to drink??? [wink.gif] Congratu...

If we assume you have one of the four glasses to the bottle and three times mark up, you should have the equivalent of wines that wholesale for around $400. Cannot believe a restaurant cannot find wines worth drinking at that price. Not to detract from your extremely valid point, but I think your m...

Always avoid the loud mouthed, red-nosed blowhards who once getting their portion decided to stand there and bullshit to the staff in an effort to make themselves look important. This. Either talking to the staff or bloviating to their friends. They get worse as the evening goes on. Admittedly, I h...

From memory, John was the only person who really hyped up the vintage, preferring it to both 2009 and 2010. Mark, I think you're underestimating the impact of Robert Parker's positive initial assessment of the 2008 vintage. Sure, he and WA may have subsequently downgraded 2008 a bit and hyped 2009 ...

I love Tignanello: It's the perfect metaphor for Tuscany. My all-time favorite vintage is the most recent, the outstanding 2016. Older favorites are 2013 and 2007, with a special mention to 2010. I tasted the 1997 at the winery back in 2015 and it was gorgeous too. It was my favorite of the older v...

The ‘97 was great, but agree with others that it’s risky now and that 2004 Tignanello is a great bet. I’ve never had the 2007 but I prefer 2004 vintage generally for super Tuscans.
Good luck,
Peter

Am I the only one who initially assumed Dan was describing a single wine in his title?

Regards,
Peter

Thanks again for the warm welcome to an out-of-towner with a yak palate! I was very impressed by the 2001 Home. Not the best wine of the night, but if that's what the recent vintages will eventually evolve into, we're in for a ride! Yes! We took the 2009 Family Farm home and had it last night. I rea...

Can someone bring a couple of extra stems for me? Not picky - any hand blown stems designed specifically for Santa Cruz Mtn pinot would be fine!

Thanks,
Peter

I’m in. Happy to bring the 2006 Alpine Hillside unless there’s a different hole to fill.

I’ll be coming from Los Altos. Let me know if anyone wants to share a ride.
Thanks,
Peter

I'm an out-of-towner who is coincidentally helping my freshman daughter with college move-in the next morning. I should be done with Bed Bath & Beyond trips by 9/17 dinnertime so would love to join you if you end up taking folks off the waitlist.[wow.gif] I have some older (and newer) Rhys so let me...

We opened the Rhys 2009 Pinot Noir Horseshoe last night. Showed very well but more in the "easy drinker" category than something you want to analyze. Based on my tasting at release, I suspect 2012 may be a half-step up, but that's not to be dismissive of the tasty 2009.
Regards,
Peter

I think 08's are approaching early drinkability. A 2008 Vajra Albe I had several weeks ago was very good, a model of the vintage, with great aromatics, and a crunchy, sappy cherry palate. I have had 7 or 8 2008 Nebb in the past year, and only Monprivato and Cascina Francia were not very forthcoming...

Christopher, Can you remind me which wine you're talking about? [wink.gif] Thanks for comparing the heat on this thread to the John Fox one. Now I realize that you have a healthy perspective on Alex's alleged ethical shortcomings. If this is the worst difference of opinion you've come across on any ...

Thanks, Kelly. I like the ZH pinot gris Rangen sometimes too. Don't think I've had or own the 2007, but have drunk 2002/2004. It's just hard to find the right time to open a wine that you accurately describe as "quite oily and viscous." Good descriptors too for the Certan de May. "Sturdy, burly" are...

... all of the usual traditional suspects made very good wine but the vintage is not in the same league as 2001, 2004, 2008, 2010, or 2013... Tom, Thanks for the comments. I'm surprised that you include 2008 in your list of top 21st century vintages while excluding 2006. I have very limited experie...

I don't buy $200 1er crus so I can't really add to the new-release alternatives. However, I have really enjoyed older H. Lignier MSD VV such as the 1993. IMO the 1998 was also very nice for the vintage. My surprise tangent: We recently opened magnum of the 2004 L&A Lignier Morey St Denis 1er cru Cuv...

I recently had the great pleasure of sharing a 1947 Chateau Haut Brion and 1981 Chateau Haut Brion side by side, both from WineBid, both with perfect provenance and condition. Russ, You might want to take this opportunity to explain your comment. How did Winebid authenticate provenance and genuinen...

If you don't mind a few carbs, a spectacular match is acorn squash stuffed with a wild mushroom (we use crimini and shiitake), breadcrumb, parmigiano (not much) filling. Include a few pats of butter so it's rich, moist and delicious.
Regards,
Peter

Mike,
We had a flawed 2002 Z-H Brand Riesling 5 years ago out of 375ml. More recently, we drank a very good 750ml bottle of the same wine. Both purchased at same time (release) from same source.
Regards,
Peter

Paraphrasing best descriptor I ever read (maybe from Lonely Planet 30 years ago?): looks like sh*t, smells like sh*t, tastes like sh*t. When trying it at a roadside stand in Thailand back then, I hated it. What was worse, the next day at breakfast, we were served a lovely fruit bowl and I could swea...

Nathan, Thanks for the detailed TN. It just goes to show subjectivity in wine preferences: one person's back-up-the-truck is another's hard pass. While I don't doubt that some Pomerol/St. Emilion $100 wines have over-ripe fruit and/or RS, I wouldn't buy those either. I suspect the best right-bank me...

In Burgundy there seem to be fairly few old wines being sold at auction for much less than the retail price of current vintages. Why would you expect mature burgundy to cost less than the same wine from a current vintage (assuming comparable quality reputation)? That type of arbitrage always seems ...

Thanks for posting, Ross. Nice Thursday! Where are you and Grappa restaurant located? Is that a risotto dish with black truffles? flirtysmile IMO the Luigi Pira wines can be excellent values. Not surprised that yours over-delivered. Meanwhile, I wish I owned the G. Conterno 1999 Cascina Franca. [swe...

Had the 2002 version of this tonight and after tracking it through the evening it is likely my #1 so far for 2019. Complete bottle of wine. Marc, I have one bottle left of their 2002 Chinon Les Picasses with the label signed by Pierre that I've resisted opening. Based on your note on the Bourgueil,...

I really enjoyed our first ever bottle of Lagier Meredith Syrah. The 2013 was open for business and lovely. Midweight, brambly fruit. No heat, thank you.
Regards,
Peter

Thanks, Mike. I really enjoy Rhys chardonnay, but do find some variability in their earlier vintages. Opened a 2009 Horseshoe chard last week that was somewhat tired, minimizing the minerality and acidic cut that you reference. Some bottles can be terrific. We also drank the 2009 Horseshoe Syrah rec...

N, I hate to ask this, but was the cork branded? (In the photo, all one sees is "Pomerol".) Even if i could afford Petrus, I'd probably be afraid of purchasing a 15 year old bottle due to fraud risk. That said, glad you had a lovely family dinner with great wines. Count me as a fan of "off-vintage" ...

I like Gary. I have had dinner with him and he is incredibly generous with what he shares with others, has an excellent palate, and is a great person to talk to. I have also tailgated with him at Jets games and if you think he is a bit hyper about wine, you ain't seen nothin' compared to Gary in th...

Thanks for posting these TNs, Joe. Interesting set of (mostly unfamiliar to me) wines. I’m surprised that the 2013 CdP was such a complete wine, given the vintage.
Regards,
Peter

Thanks, Jay and Michael. We recently opened the 2012 Lisini as part of a brunello tasting. Too young, but not really shut down. Glad I have more... to open 5-10 years from now. I'd imagine the 2010 and 2013 versions are even better. I'd recommend Lisini to folks who don't want to spend more than $4...

Thanks, Jay and Michael. We recently opened the 2012 Lisini as part of a brunello tasting. Too young, but not really shut down. Glad I have more... to open 5-10 years from now. I'd imagine the 2010 and 2013 versions are even better. I'd recommend Lisini to folks who don't want to spend more than $40...

Go north. The best in Colli Fiorentini are great and cheap. Go north of the apennines to the hills of Romagna. The wines are dead cheap. Quality has improved drastically the last 5 years and no one notices. So they will continue to be cheap. Specific recommendations? Hope at least some of these are...

I was similarly impressed by a 2001 Beaucastel on Christmas: 12/25/2018 Cellared since release. Perfect cork and fill. Opened an hour without decanting, then drunk over 2 days. Dark red core, lightening at the rim. Potent nose of blackberry, plum, black cherry, fresh earth and floral notes with a m...

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