TN: Kenwood Johannisberg Riesling LateHrvst '84...(short/boring)

WINE TALK
1

Had this last night w/ Pig+Fig Carrot Cake:

  1. Kenwood JohannisbergRiesling LateHrvst EstateGrown/SonomaVlly (10.3%; Hrvstd: 10/31/84; SaH: 28.2 Brix; TA: 0.90%; RS: 8.64%; Bttld: Dec.1984) Kenwood 1984: Deep golden/bit brown/light PX color; strong peachy/apricotty/botrytis quite cedary/pencilly some earthy slight volatile quite complex nose; quite tart/tangy/acidic some sweet some botrytis/peachy/apricotty bit earthy/dusty fairly cedary/pencilly quite complex flavor; very long/lingering some peachy/apricotty/botrytis rather cedary/pencilly quite acidic/tangy/bit metallic slight R/ripe/floral finish; very high acidity but not dominated by the botrytis and fairly complex; has evolved quite nicely in to beautiful old bones.

A wee BloodyPulpit:

  1. I tried this with low expectations; expecting another dessert Riesling that was nothing but botrytis. This wine was harvested barely up into the BA range. It had developed a cedary complexity that is rare for Calif botrytis wines. It was btld after only some 2 months in tank (presumably, maybe old oak. It’s rare for these Calif BA/TBA to show much evolution or complexity. This one had. It had an almost screechy acidity & rather a sweet/sour character. But a wonderful 36 yr old dessert wine it is and should go another 10-20 yrs I would guess.
    Tom
2

Thanks for the note, Tom. Last night we opened a 1982 Newlan Vineyards Napa Valley Late Harvest Bunch Selected Johannisberg Riesling, made by Bob Foley. 42 Brix at harvest, 21.4 at harvest, 11.3% alcohol. I had fairly low expectations but enjoyed it with apple pie.

3

Who was making wines at Kenwood then?

Truett, Newton?

4

Kris, nope, Newlan, in Yountville. I think Silenus Winery is there now.

5

Bob Kozlowski and Mike Lee are the answers to your question, Tom.