Having had 3 very successful outings on or rooftop with our first attempts to socialize intelligently with friends, we replicated the event with another couple a few days after the last one.
We maintained some of the COVID-19 suggestions providing a safe, clean and distanced environment while enjoying some fine wine and appetizers on our rooftop where we can easily create such, choosing to do so in the early evening hours while being able to breathe fresh air while taking in mountain, city and partial ocean views and the magic of a pre and post sunset aura. We were once again blessed with a stellar, blue bird kind of day with temps in the mid 70s.
The wines were intended to be selected based upon what I thought our guests would prefer. To be sure, this time I asked and received good feedback to be better informed. We drank:
2008 BOLLINGER LA GRAND ANNEE- 71% Pinot Noir, 29% Chardonnay sourced from 18 crus; disgorged in October 2018 at 8 gpl; in typical Bollie style, this was super rich and full bodied with fresh biscuity accents to the pear, apple and citrus fruit with quite noticeable bracing acidity; even its color was a stately bold yellow gold; its creamy texture added to the overall classiness of this fine bubbly which has all of the hallmarks of being another GA super star.
2016 SCHLOSS GOBELSBURG GRUNER VELTLINER 10TW RIED LAMM KAMPTAL AUSTRIA- this comes from the Ried {single vineyard, cru} Lamm Vineyard which is a special south facing vineyard that produces some of the best Gruner anywhere; I was turned on to this beauty by one of my dinner group buddies who brought it one night and immediately secured some and have loved every bottle since; following its pea green yellow color, comes aromas of flint and minerals that maintain a steady streak throughout; there’s a touch of oak influence that enhances the lemon, white peach and pear fruit while being delivered in an oily like texture all the way to the back end where it finishes off with more mineral and flint notes.
2011 WILLIAMS SELYEM TERRA de PROMISSIO VINEYARD SONOMA COAST PINOT NOIR- decanted 4 hours ahead and served in Sophienwald Grand Cru Red Burgundy glasses; this is the first release for WS from this cool climate locale in the windy Petuluma Gap and the vintage was cool as well; the vineyard is farmed organically using sustainable methods; tart red and black raspberry fruit is most prominent with mild accents of licorice and cola; past mid palate, some tart red cherry comes in as well, in this medium bodied, easy on the palate Pinot.
1995 WILLIAMS SELYEM SONOMA COAST PINOT NOIR- when it became apparent we were ready for one more wine, I sauntered down to the cellar and pulled this beauty; it had been 3 years since I opened the last bottle and that one was stupendous which was to be expected as the fruit sourced for this comes from 2 stellar vineyards, Coastlands and Summa; it had a still youthful medium red color, the aromatics were simply magnificent and so inviting with an emphasis on the spicy components in fact, this is the spiciest I’ve ever had of any of Burt made Pinots including other Sonoma Coast; the nose had a touch of cola, but as stated, was more spice laden, almost overwhelming the red raspberry, red cherry and surprisingly some blueberry fruit that showed up; it had lovely balance, feel and length; this was another great bottle from the man.
Once again, we had a lovely evening with good people. In my mind, enjoying life and sharing it with others is a health enhancing choice and we will be better off as a result, especially at this time when positiver thoughts and feelings are paramount to an efficiently functioning immune system. Next couple up.
Cheers,
Blake
