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

The only self-control I have over wine purchasing is refusing offsite storage. I do, however, agree with Robert on Klondike bars.

Rhys Horseshoe '14 Syrah. Really delicious and still on the ascent.

Tasting note on the '16 Desire Lines Syrah: 10/9/2019 - I LIKE THIS WINE: 93 points 14% abv. Deep ruby purple, very aromatic ++ aromatics. On the palate, bright, tart cherry, saddle leather with floral and mint highlights. Excellent depth, length and concentration, beautifully mannered. This is a gr...

That's a great article, Mike - thanks for the link. Of course I'm not the talented writer that Mike Dunne is, but I did do a write-up on a visit with Ann at Shake Ridge back in late 2013 for Grape-Nutz.com if anyone is interested in looking at that. Shake Ridge Ranch / Yorba Wines Outstanding artic...

https://www.sfchronicle.com/wine/article/Inside-the-remote-peculiar-vineyard-behind-13939601.php I was getting ready to open a Desire Lines '16 Shake Ridge Syrah and I came upon this article. Like the Stolo Estate Vineyard in Cambria, this vineyard has given me a whole new perspective on an AVA. To...

Thanks for posting this Jim. We returned from Jackson last week and loved it. Toured Yellowstone, white water rafted the Snake, and enjoyed hiking in the Tetons. We plan to return next year!

I'd love to also know where those older Caymus Zins were sourced. I can't remember if they were "Napa Valley" or "North Coast," but they were very good.

Bucklin makes a great Grenache. Old Hill Ranch.

Paul Miller wrote: ↑
September 17th, 2019, 2:02 pm
My oldest Saxum is a 2006 James Berry. Too young?

Nope - rocking!

Morgan Twain-Peterson wrote: ↑
September 17th, 2019, 9:59 am
Between this and MacDonald my credit card is getting an unusual harvest workout this morning!

Two "must haves!"

Brig, I met Brenae at Monte Rosso. FWIW, I was really impressed by her detailed knowledge and passion for the vineyard. Gallo is lucky to have her.

Really looking forward to this release!

Solbar, Calistoga. World’s best fish tacos.

Ian Alper wrote: ↑
September 4th, 2019, 4:32 pm
Agree with Wes, Ian really is a great winemaker and does a great job sourcing fruit in our area.

Yes he is!

A funny thread! I like Ovid, but I'm too cheap to purchase. I'm not to cheap, however, to purchase Martinelli!

We enjoyed Popeyes in Houston. I wish there was a Popeyes around us here.

Titus and Schramsberg.

R: Zinfandel, Pinot, Mataro, Cab
W: Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc, Gewürztraminer

I had a banner day yesterday, tasting two "best of class" dishes in one day: * Best fish taco: Solbar, Calistoga, CA * Best iceberg wedge salad: Press, St. Helena, CA (chilled iceberg, bacon, blue cheese, red grapes, pistachio, avocado puree) I'll throw in another all-time favorite from years past f...

Thanks Dennis. Tasted a 2008 Swan last night. Initially very tight and unyielding, but began opening up over a two hour span. Lots of stuffing, not flabby and seeming very young. Will try again tonight.

Great, great Sauvignon Blanc. Thanks for the note!

If you think about it, the Paso/Central Coast area has been a successful incubator for a number of successful Southern Rhonish luxury blends - Grenache, GSM, etc. Not sure what the push-back is as to Zin being included in this company.

Would the world be a better place without SQN, Alban, Saxum ...

These quotes..... “Cambie brings his nearly savant-like talent to Downstream.“ Savant is not what I would call it. “Philippe likes to come through right when things are done with malo, usually in early spring and before we’ve blended up our wines, when things are still in individual lots. We put ab...

Perhaps the Downstream project will provide a little bit of customer recognition/appreciation. I’m with you on the appreciation of Old Vine Zin and field blends. I love watching Morgon in action with his quest to not only promote and preserve the historic vineyards, but equally important, getting t...

Michael Martin wrote: ↑
August 14th, 2019, 10:44 am
I love Zins too and last night had a phenomenal $31 one.

There is no shortage of beautiful, affordable Zinfandel available. And ... as with other great wine grape varieties, there is room for consumer choices at all points on the price spectrum.

Obviously, no consumer likes higher prices for the sake of higher prices. To me, it's a matter of recognition. It wasn't too long ago that Zinfandel sites were seen primarily as fodder for white Zin, replanting to Pinot and Chard, and commercial real estate ventures. Winemakers like Joel Peterson, J...

Turley controls most of the Zin in the Paso area - there are only a few outstanding old vine locations here. Downstream is also getting Zin from Paderewski Vineyard, an excellent young-vine site. Love to see them get some Ueberroth or Pesenti fruit for Cambi to play with, although both Dusi's can b...

Turley controls most of the Zin in the Paso area - there are only a few outstanding old vine locations here. Downstream is also getting Zin from Paderewski Vineyard, an excellent young-vine site. Love to see them get some Ueberroth or Pesenti fruit for Cambi to play with, although both Dusi's can be...

Robert.A.Jr. wrote: ↑
August 14th, 2019, 7:00 am
Sorry Mike, that’s ridiculous.

It’s a marketing gimmick as much as a wine.

Luxury wine is a marketing gimmick Robert - including that fancy stuff you get from France!

Grape racism! The brilliance of Zinfandel has been there for all to see all along. I appreciate the recognition.

Fascinating article Tom - thanks.

I’m probably one of the few who also celebrates (somewhat perversely) the pricing of this Zin-based offering.

2013 Ceritas Chardonnay Pinnacle Vineyard - USA, California, San Francisco Bay, Santa Cruz Mountains (8/8/2019) 12.6% abv. Pale straw, expressive aromas. Apple, pear and a touch of key lime highlight an intense, complex and highly nuanced palate impression. Exceptional depth and length. Grippy with...

I'll be buying.

I’ll be in Wyoming - sorry to miss this.

Chris Seiber wrote: ↑
August 5th, 2019, 5:35 pm
It's an excellent wine. Light yet intense and complex.

Nothing quite like it. Unique and exceptional.

The real tragedy isn’t that Rhys was fined $3.76 million for illegally diverting water.. he’s a pig and the regulators made that greasy little piggy squeal. The real story is that with all of the resources and wealth that Kevin brings to Rhys, the wines are complete dog sh!t. This brand has PERENNI...

Wow. I wonder which AV vineyard this was sourced from?

Great note!

I do.

I appreciate the detailed notes from Frank and Brig! The Rhys tasting was remarkable - nearly four hours from start to finish. Kudos to Jeff for taking time out to share with us. I've always associated Rhys with Pinot, and the lineup is getting better and more refined as it continues to expand. Swan...

I was with Jeff & friends at Rhys yesterday and marveled at the upcoming Chardonnay lineup. MEV does a phenomenal job as well. SCM is the place for chards.

As a relative novice to the sparkling side, it was an eyeopener for me to sit through the this tasting, with Brig and Alan - and of course, the "Chairman of Champagne" FMIII. The confidence and excitement from Jeff was palpable and it was easy to see why.

Speaking of hybrids - every Norton (grape, not the producer) wine I've ever tried tasted like prunes. Every dry Scuppernong/Muscadine tasted of burned rubber doll. I'm a huge fan of Ed Norton. In fact, when I was a youngster, I wanted to work in the sewers of NYC like Ed!! [snort.gif] I've had some...

My wife and I have two favorite sparklers - Under the Wire "Brosseau" and Roederer "L'Hermitage." Very much looking forward to expanding our understanding of the genre with this offering.

If the date works for me, I’d love to come up.

Frank Murray III wrote: ↑
July 16th, 2019, 10:13 am
Did my 2 +2 plus wished more 750s. Really looking forward to this project and I am in for the ride.

Not only do I look forward to tasting this project, but I look forward to tasting it with a sparkling wine lover like Frankie!

This is a seriously loaded offering! Check this out! 2017 Gratias Gratias is a one-off, so we decided to offer it to you at a price that conveys our gratitude for your support. The wine is on us, you pay for shipping. A blend of 42% Grenache, 25% Zinfandel, 18% Mataro, 14% Syrah, 1% Tempranillo. 15...

2016 Stolo Family Vineyards Chardonnay Estate - USA, California, Central Coast, San Luis Obispo County (7/12/2019) 13% abv. Light straw, expressive aromas. A sweet, ripe pear note on entry, followed by citrus notes and stone. Excellent depth and length, great oily mouthfeel. Delicious, suave and co...

I picked up some Siduri locally recently. Jackson seems to maintain a winning, hands-off approach with their (IMO) impressive stable of wineries.

Again, in the middle of all of the speculation, the team is taking a risk and possibly breaking new ground, which I always admire. I'm not one to indulge in bling, but Zinfandel, after white Zin, Gallo Hearty Burgundy and being ripped out of the ground for the variety du jour for decades- - has earn...

According to an earlier post it's 76% zin Jackass Hill is usually around $150 $150 at release or in the secondary market? I was thinking of release price in my comment Martinelli Jackass Hill sells from the winery at $125, IIRC. Fruit is sourced from a tiny, very steep plot of ancient 19th vines th...

Lot's of speculation here, but I can tell you what I like about this project. It acknowledges Zinfandel as a worthy and noble grape. It gives a nod to the heritage wines of California (Zin, Mataro, Petite). It sources from some of California's best vineyards and highlights the Central Coast. The win...

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