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Rick Allen wrote: ↑
November 29th, 2020, 3:54 pm
That brings back memories of an outstanding 1976 Bischofiches Priesterseminar Kaseler Nies'chen Auslese that I last drank about 18 years ago. An absolutely stellar wine.

And my guess, Rick, is that it'd still be stellar.
Tom

Tried these two over the last two days: 1. LaBasia Marzemino IGT: Benaco Bresciano "LaMorene" (12.5%: Frmtd in SS tank; www.labasia.it) Puegnago del Garda 2017 : Very dark color; beautiful very fragrant strawberry/Marz/bit plummy/black cherry/bit floral slight earthy almost Nebb-like perfumed lovely...

Tried this w/ Sue at our Fri Thanksgiving dinner: 1. Bischoflich Riesling Trier ?? : med.light gold color that deepened overnight; strong mineral/R/light floral relatively fresh some peachy/apricotty/botrytis bit cedary/old R quite complex beautiful/fragrant old R nose; fairly tart slight off-dry (0...

Tried this w/ Susan & Roman on Thanksgiving: 1. Kellerei Cantina Kaltern GWT Companer DOC: Sudtirol/AltoAdige (15%; www.KellereiKaltern.com; EnotecImprts/Denver) Caldaro 2015 : Light gold color; strong GWT/lychee/bit hair oil some spicy quite fragrant slight earthy/stony nose; fairly tart bit auster...

BobSenn, LosOlivos W&S Emporium,
Was so proud the he had Invoice #1 from QupeWnry, hand lettered by BobLindquist, that he had it framed & on display just inside his front door.
Tom

Dipping further into my recent Carlisle arrival, tried last night: 1. Carlisle TwoAcres RRV/SonomaCnty (14.5%; Plntd: 1910; Mourv/PetiteSirah/Syrah/Peloursin/Carignan/AlicanteBouschet; 250 cs) 2018 : Very dark color; intense blackberry/boysenberry/licorice/plummy slight herbal light toasty/Fr.oak qu...

Tried these three from Kokomans ystrday: 1. Fran Ehrhard "naturich" Riesling Rheingau (trocken; 12.0%; "Frmtd w/ natural yeast for 18 mo. in old/traditional wooden barrels"; U; Los# 201709; ScopertaImprts/ClevelandHeights/OH; www.ScopertaImports.com) 2017 : Med.dark gold color; very quiet almost no ...

Yeah, Drew... I was a bit surprised that it was as far along as it was.
I sent my TN to Jason, so we'll see what he has to say.
Tom

Tried these last night: 1. Ryme Fiano RRV (12.2%) 2019 : Med.light gold color; lightly floral/Fiano some mineral/chalky slight earthy/rustic fairly fragrant attractive nose; bit soft fairly rich/textured slight tangy/metallic light floral/Fiano slight stony/mineral rather quiet flavor; long soft lig...

robert creth wrote: ↑
November 24th, 2020, 3:38 pm
How long have you had these? I’m looking forward to my order.

Well, Robert....these came in about week & hlf ago. You won't be disappointed.
Tom

Tried these three over the last few days: 1. Aeris Carricante EtnaBianco Superiore (12.2%; Imprtd by RhysVnyds/LosGatos) I Vigneri/Ragusa/Sicily 2016 : Med.gold color; very strong floral/gardenias/pear/apple rather mineral/chalky almost R-like bit honeyed lovely fragrant some complex nose; quite tar...

Tried these two last night from my archives: 1. TablasCreek Bergeron Estate/PasoRobles (100% Roussanne/Bergeron in Savoie) 2009 : Med.light gold color; strong apple/spiced apples/pear light floral/Rouss/honeysuckle rather mineral/some petrol/Mosel valve oil rather complex quite aromatic beautiful no...

We're living in a time where we have the resources to explore grape varieties in a way never before possible. Sanitation, techniques, equipment, sharing of information... People around the world are working to get the best out of grapes, whatever the issues. We're moving beyond the cookie-cutter wi...

Lovely story and great tasting notes, Tom!! The Adelaida District of SLO has yielded some excellent Rhône-style whites. I imagine that Tablas Creek is probably tops in its category - until someone can bottle a sub-14% ABV Grenache Blanc. I have yet to read a less-than stellar review of Bedrock's "E...

Tried these three from my Ridge stash over the last few days: 1. Ridge Geyserville Calif/SonomaCnty (68% Zin/16% Carignane/16% PetiteSirah; 14.8%; bttld Jan 2001; Drk: 11/2000-11/2007-11/2008: PD) 1999 : Very dark color w/ some bricking; strong cedary/pencilly/Am.oak some earthy/blackberry/Zin light...

Marshall Manning wrote: ↑
November 23rd, 2020, 1:47 pm
Not boring at all, Tom. A nice story!

Well, Marshall...when it comes to spinnin' a yarn...you can't beat those folks from Kansas!!

Tom

Tried these two last night w/ dinner: 1. TablasCreekVnyd Roussanne AdelaidaDist/PasoRobles EstateGrown (13.4%) 2015 : Med.light gold color; very strong Rouss/honeyed/honeysuckle/waxy light chalky/mineral beautiful intense Rouss nose; lightly tart/bracing/brisk rather rich/lush very strong Rouss/hone...

Interesting article and agree with message in there as well. For me Eric is one of the (if not the) most insightful wine writes out there. Always balanced, great knowledge and contemplative writing. Yup, Mikael... agree. Some of his articles are very thought-provoking. This was one such. What makes...

It also leads to Cab, Pinot and Chardonnay being grown in areas they shouldn’t simply because of name value, when varieties more suited to the area would be more appropriate. Eggsactly, Jason. That's why the planted tons of Cabernet & Merlot on Etna , to the neglect of NerelloMascalese, as Eric poi...

Eric has an interesting article on the caste system of grape varieties: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/19/dining/drinks/wine-grapes.html?referringSource=articleShare On why some grape varieties are noble and others are not. He argues that this can be very short-sighted and lead drinkers to not tryi...

Mattstolz wrote: ↑
November 22nd, 2020, 3:24 pm
thanks for the notes Tom!

Im not sure what kind of time from to drink the Judge. hold for a while or drink it when the occasion arises?

Well, Matt. Guess I'd give it at least 3-4 more months and anytime after that. Whenever the occasion arises.
Tom

Launching into my newly-arrived Bedrock stash, I tried early this week: 1. Bedrock Riesling WirzVnyd/CienegaVlly (13.5%; Plntd: 1963; Dry farmed/Own rooted; Tended: Pat Wirz) 2019 : Lots of mesmerizing tiny bubbles swirling about when poured almost makes it look cloudy, but disappate after a minute ...

Z Scheiner wrote: ↑
November 22nd, 2020, 3:06 pm
Great notes Tom, thanks. I’ve been saying for years (although not from the very start) that Morgan’s whites are underrated and that continues to be the case.

Yup....couldn't agree more, Zach. Glad to see you're still in the flock of TomHill sheep!!
Trust Will is doing well??
Tom

Delving deeper into my Bedrock arrivals; I shared last night w/ Susan/Roman/May: 1. Bedrock Compagni-PortisVnyd/SonomaVlly/SonomaCnty WW (14.2%; Plntd: 1954; Pharmed by PhilCoturri; Aged: SS & neutral barrels for 5 mo) 2019 : Pale gold color; strong floral/carnations/marigolds/bit pungent/musky/grah...

Delving deeper into my recent Bedrock order, I tried last week: 1. Bedrock SauvBlanc JudgeFamilyVnyd/BennettVlly/SonomaCnty (14.2%; brl frmtd) 2019 : Light gold color; very spicy strong melony/SB/ripe/floral very light herbal light pencilly/oak quite perfumed beautiful nose; lightly tart/tangy very ...

Steve gave me Fri these two btls to try, which I shared w/ Susan & Roman: 1. Devium Riesling LewisPeakVnyd/WashState (10.5%; www.DeviumWine.com; ) WallaWalla 2019 : Med.gold color; some earthy/dusty bit steely/flinty lightly floral/R/peach rather interesting attractive nose; lightly tart off-dry (0....

Tried this last night w/ Roman & Susan & May: 1. Bodegas Gratius blanco multivarital (12%; www.BodegasGratius.com; 60-70 yr old vnyds; Tardana + Macabeo/Marisanche/Dona blanca/albillo/blanquilla; Critical Mass Slctns/T.ElentenyImports/NY; vino de CrowdFunding) Casas Ibanez/Manchuela/Valencia/Espana ...

I met Joe several times at LiquorMart/Boulder when he was still in the construction biz in CO. A lot of those wines came from LM. Those Sercials he paid about $18/btl.
Tom

I agree with Otto on the lacrima. It really is incredibly aromatic, but the structure of the wine is a bit flabby and tough for with food. I will say that I definitely enjoy a glass or so as a happy hour drink on its own though. More than a glass can get to be a bit much for me thoguh. Yup, Michael...

Just got an e-mail from Bryan Harrington ystrday that FPS has ready to release: Lacrima di Morro d'Alba Malvasia Istriana Rossese Rossese bianco These are all varieties that Bryan on his foraging trips to Europe arranged to have sent to FPS to be cleaned up/made virus-free. Alas, since Bryan is no l...

Dipping into my recent arrivals, I tried over the last two days: 1. Bedrock PaperaRasnch Heritage RRV/SonomaCnty (Plntd: 1934; Block 6; 14.5%) 2018 : Ver dark/near black color; intense blackberry/boysenberry/Zin/ripe/very spicy quite dusty/OV some smokey/toasty/oak light RRV Zin/peppery some complex...

Yup, Drew... the Mariness is a new wine, I believe. But I think they have made a Meritage Blanc several times in the past.
Tom

My new VSC shipment arrived last week, so I tried last night: 1. DryCreekVnyd SauvBlanc Taylor'sVnyd/DryCreekVlly/SonomaCnty (Musque clone; 13.8%) 2019 :Lots of mesmerizing tiny bubbles swirling about in the glass, almost cloudy; light gold color; very fragrant SB/herbal some floral/muscatty/spicy/c...

After the Veronese Rosso fail, I just wanted something good. So I opened up anuther btl of this Carlisle Pagani '18. It was much different in character. It showed quite a bit lighter and not nearly as rich/lush as the first btl. The lush fruit was much less and the rustic/sauvage character of Pagani...

Tried this wine ystrday afternoon: 1. PaCo Sensazioni di Paolo IGT: Rosso Veronese (50% Corvino/25% Corvinone/10% Rondinella/15% Shiraz; 14%; www.PaoloCottini.It; FR Developments Imprts/ElPaso/TX) B by Paolo Cottini/Fumane 2016 : Very dark color; strong earthy/dusty/rustic/loamy some grapey/very rip...

Yup, Adam... Bryan's Angelica is beautiful. Angelica is much more akin to Ratafia than Port/Sherry/Madeira. Usually they take the juice & hit it w/ brandy immediately, though, by law, they must ferment it to 0.5% alcohol before fortifying. This Angelica will be coming into its own about when you rea...

I just found a 1977 Frank Prial article on Zinfandel that mentions a 1972 David Bruce Zin that he presumed must have been a late harvest bottling. How would he not be able to tell? NY Times "Wine Talk: Zinfandel: A Favorite of Wine Lovers" by Frank Prial May 25, 1977 "...The Bruce 1972 was, to my m...

Tried ystrday this new wine in at Kokomans: 1. Dom.Rietsch Tout Blanc Alsace (50% Riesling/Auxerrois; U/lF; CamilleRiviereSlctns; 12.5%) 2019 : Med.gold color; rather earthy some light floral/R/fruity slight chalky clean rather simple bit rustic/coarse nose; quite tart/tangy/bit metallic bfairly ear...

You beat me on this, Mike. Have all 3 in my drinking queue.
Tom

Tried these two last week: 1. Franco Conterno Nebbiolo DOC: Langhe Cascina Sciulun (14%; www.Vinotas-Selections.com; Vinotas Slctns) Franco Conterno/Bussia diMonforte d'Alba 2017 : Med.dark color; lightly earthy fairly fragrant Nebb/floral/lilacs very slightly pungent/tarry some complex nose; very t...

Stumbled across this wine at ArroyoVino on Wed, so had to try: 1. Dom.Rietsch Quand le Chat n'est pas la Vin de France (100% PinotGris; 14.3%; U/lF; 28 days skin maceration; Camille Riviere/Fruit of the Vines) Jean-Pierre Rietsch/Mittlebergheim/Alsace 2019 : Light ruby red bit browning color; slight...

Interesting article by PaulBalke (who he?) on the AltoPiemonte wines of Lessona & Bramaterra, Nebb wines we don't see much of:
https://paulbalke.com/lessona-bramater ... y-iiWeoCVQ
Tom

Well, Drew.... I've had plenty of 100% Alicantes. I can see what they're trying to say. AB has a strong cheap grapey character (in addition to being black as the ace of spades) that I can see them calling it like Concord. But it doesn't have have the methyl anthranilate character of Labrusca. So I c...

Well, David... sorta comparing apples & oranges. Much different in style. Guess I'd give the edge to the Carlisle based on sheer hedonism. Much bigger & more extracted.
Tom

Decided to dip into my recently-arrived Carlisle stash, so opened: 1. Carlisle Zin PaganiRanch/SonomaVlly/SonomaCnty (15.2%; Plntd: 1895; + AlicanteBouchet/GrandNoir/Carignan/PetiteSirah; 315 cs) 2018 : Very dark/near black color; very intense blackberry/boysenberry/licorice/SV peppery Zin quite dus...

Tried these two last night: 1. EdmundsStJohn Heart of Gold ElDorado WW (11.3%; 62% Vermentino/38% GrenacheBlanc) ThumbNailMoon/Fairplay 2014 : Med.light gold color; lovely very perfumed Verm/floral/gardenias/honeysuckle/spicy slight petrol/pungent bit perfumed talc fairly complex beautiful aromatic ...

The Newsletter today finishes up with a general & Bedrock-specific discussion of the use of oak in winemaking.
It is a particularly good read/highly recommended. Wish it would have had more to say about the Stockinger cooperage,
which most people regard as the Rolls-Royce of oak cooperage.
Tom

Tried this last night for my white: 1. Bedrock Compagni-PortisVnyd/SonomaVlly WW (13.8%; Plntd: 1954; Pharmed: Phil Coturri) 2011 : Med.light gold color; quite fragrant floral/spicy/marigolds/slight pungent light nutty/oxidative/petrol bit earthy/dusty slight pencilly/oak quite complex nose; lightly...

Tried these two last week at Dinner: 1. Arnot-Roberts Falanghina Handel-DenierVnyd/DryCreekVlly (12%; 5 brls) Healdsburg 2019 : Light yellow color; very light floral/carnations slight earthy almost no nose; quite tart/tangy/acidic/grapefruity very light floral/carnations/Fal very slight earthy lean/...

Tried thislast weekend w/ Susan: 1. Ryme Vermentino "Hers" LasBrisasVnyd/Carneros/SonomaCnty (12.0%) 2014 : Light gold color; very fragrant/perfumed strong Verm/carnations/floral slight petrol/pungent/Mosel valve oil slight spicy/nutmeg somewhat complex beautiful nose; fairly tart/tangy rather rich/...

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