Virtual Tasting for Charity - Empty My Wallet, Help Me Support Laura's House (11/22 - 12/1)

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Pat K · #101 Post by **Pat K** » November 29th, 2019, 6:19 pm

Fess Parker, Pinot Noir 2010, Sta. Rita Hills: Garnet, fading to rose on the rim. Very good clarity. Aromas are red fruit & wood-dominant. Light toast, maybe some cedar. On the palate, red fruit joined by mushroom and nutmeg. Definite PN-like acidity. Complex due to a slowly fading finish. May be at or near peak.

BTW Brian, your Thanksgiving must have been quite the party with all that lovely PN. Wow.

Adam G · #102 Post by **Adam G** » November 29th, 2019, 6:55 pm

I decided I should open a wine I learned about from WB, so tonight it's the 2011 Bailiwick Wines Pinot Noir, Foray, Anderson Valley

Looks surprisingly old for a 2011, but it's started to brick ever so slightly. Cork was pristine. Herbs, mint, stems/woodsy aromas, some funk, only hints of red fruit aromas. On the palate, it's nicely acidic/balanced, cherries are there and some of the herbs as well. The finish brings back the funk from the aromas and a whole lot of mint and other herbs. Fairly long finish. Interesting. The level of funk and relative lack of fruit makes me wonder if this is ever so slightly corked, but I'm not smelling TCA. I expect this will go well the the truffle cream sauce pasta we're having for dinner.

No, the baby didn't help taste the wine. In a couple years, though...

#103 Post by **Ken Strauss** » November 30th, 2019, 8:20 am

Aubert UV-SL Pinot 2014
Brought this baby out to dinner. Dark red fruit color. Silky smooth palate.
Drinking like a dream and still very young.

Frank..thanks for your generosity!

#104 Post by **brigcampbell** » November 30th, 2019, 11:37 am

2016 Cattleya Pinot Noir Alma de Cattleya - USA, California, Sonoma County (11/30/2019)
Like the many quality notes on this wine, cherry is the theme. Fruit forward aromas. Dark cherry and Kirsch note. Paired with turkey leftovers in the form of a giant sandwich.

Posted from CellarTracker

#105 Post by **D@vid Bu3ker** » November 30th, 2019, 2:11 pm

2011 Ladd Cellars Moore Ranch Pinot Noir (Russian River Valley)
Bright red fruit and a touch of spice and cola, this is really all about the fruit. It’s incredibly fresh, as if the wine was just released, rather than eight years post vintage. It’s almost a barrel sample.

#106 Post by **Jim Stewart** » November 30th, 2019, 3:27 pm

Frank, I'm gonna tuck this note into this thread, but feel free to disqualify it.

Last week we opened a Roserock Pinot Noir in 30 degree MA as our heating system hummed in the background. Today we are in beautiful, warm, red-tided SW FL and we opened this 1/2 bottle of Ployez-Jacquemart Rosé Champagne which I mistakenly left behind last April. Pinot noir is in the base blend and 10% straight pinot noir added to get the rosé. This bottle has spent the time since April in sub-optimal 82 degree gone-for-the-summer indoor temperature, so I was not expecting much. Actually its still enjoyable, though it has lost most of its fine bead. Tasty with salsa, guac and chips;even better paired with the peanut butter filled pretzels. Jacqueline lost patience in trying to coax a smile from me. Wearing my Florida-only cutoff t-shirt. Florida is a lifestyle!

"cracker jim"

Pat K · #107 Post by **Pat K** » November 30th, 2019, 4:26 pm

Au Bon Climat Pinot Noir, 2009, Los Alamos Vineyard, Santa Maria Valley
Crimson fading to ruby, excellent clarity. Aromas are slightly red fruit dominant: cranberry, cherry/sour cherry prominent, definite dust and vanilla. On Day 2, clove and cinnamon joined the aromas. On the palate, sour cherry up-front, and fruit tannins are pronounced. A varietally correct, balanced and complex wine that I believe is at prime. Our Thanksgiving and day-after wine; a good choice. Jim Clendenen (et al) is a reliable PN and Chard producer for us.

#108 Post by **Kris Patten** » November 30th, 2019, 4:45 pm

@JimStewart

Is that you or Sean Connery shirtless in the portrait on the wall?

#109 Post by **Kris Patten** » November 30th, 2019, 4:55 pm

Drouhin-Laroze 2013 Gevrey Chambertin

Pitched nose of raspberry, dried cranberry, cherry and spice. Palate has nice balancing acidity, crunchy red fruits, leather and cooking spices. Will see how it develops over the evening.

#110 Post by **Jim Stewart** » November 30th, 2019, 5:03 pm

Kris Patten wrote: ↑
November 30th, 2019, 4:45 pm
@JimStewart

Is that you or Sean Connery shirtless in the portrait on the wall?

#111 Post by **Mich@el Ch@ng** » November 30th, 2019, 7:20 pm

2017 Sigaut Chambolle Musigny Bussieres

Beautiful red fruits, cranberries, currants, etc on the nose. Lovely soft palate, smooth and easy to drink. Fantastic wine, very approachable. Not sure if it'll improve much but it's great now.

Adam G · #112 Post by **Adam G** » November 30th, 2019, 8:02 pm

2006 Rivers Marie Willow Creek Pinot Noir

Gotta stick with the theme of wines I learned about from WB. This is actually the first bottle from RM that I've ever opened, having only had their wine at offlines before.
Damn this is good! Nose is a bit closed right on opening, but the palate is singing. Orange peel, cranberry, raspberry, herbs, great acidity and minerality. Very long finish that gets more into the earthy and herbaceous realm of things. It's got a lot of elegance to go along with its clear power. This is nowhere near over the hill, either. Even as I sit here typing this, the aromas are coming out more: thyme? Oregano? Eucalyptus. Cherries.
Looking forward to seeing how this evolves over the next couple hours!

#113 Post by **Mark Y** » November 30th, 2019, 10:35 pm

Here’s one!

#114 Post by **Mark Y** » November 30th, 2019, 10:37 pm

2014 Hubert lignier tres girard-
Young. Crunch red fruit, noticeable tannin and lively acidity. Full of energy and nice house style. But dang. Let this guy rest a while to get it all together

#115 Post by **Gary Schulte** » December 1st, 2019, 7:02 am

Twofer Cali pinot noir night. These are relatively high alcohol pinot noirs and thus were chosen to be the match with steak, potatoes, & salad.

2005 Brewer Clifton Rio Vista - Purchased on release and stored at cellar temp(54-68F). This is a high alcohol wine at 15.5%. Removed wax capsule and disintegrating cork about 1 hr ahead of food plating. Capsule was easy the cork was not. Clean orangey red color on pouring which seemed to deepen in color in the glass but still a light to medium intensity. Muted aroma on the nose with maybe faint violets. In the mouth rich cherries and plum flavor with good length and a bit of tannin. At this point I think this wine will be as good as it gets. The nice thing is that the alcohol never overpowered the wine. Some in our group thought this would be pleasant on it's own.

2009 Martinelli Bondi Home Ranch "Water Trough Vineyard" - Purchased directly from the winery on it's release and stored in basement(54-62F). Another slightly high alcohol wine at 14.3% . Opened for about 45min before tasting. Color was a clear deep garnet with no bricking. On the nose there was a rich plum fruit aroma. In the mouth a melange of red fruits, mostly sweet cherry, and a touch of plum with a rich long finish. Everything is well integrated and slightly hedonistic.

Many thanks Frank for doing this again this year. Cheers to you !

#116 Post by **Brian Tuite** » December 1st, 2019, 7:49 am

Mark Y wrote: ↑
November 30th, 2019, 10:35 pm
Here’s one!

If you put your IG or Twitter links inside the [media][/media] brackets (the flat screen TV icon next to the spoiler link) they will display properly. Just saying...

#117 Post by **Frank Murray III** » December 1st, 2019, 9:11 am

One day left. Couple of reminders....you need to be in the photo for my donation to be doubled. And, thanks to our matching donors, if you're note includes you in the photo, like Gary did above, those kinds of TNs are worth 30 bucks to Laura's House.

#118 Post by **Siun o'Connell** » December 1st, 2019, 9:44 am

We forgot to take any photos on Thanksgiving but we did not forget to polish off a bottle of 2013 Berserkers Cuvee from Patricia Green. I am amazed over and over how very wonderful this wine is -- and how much everyone I pour it for loves it. Cranberry, spice, cherry ... perfect match to our SunWah bbq turkey ... I want more. Grandson (3yr old) always asks to sniff wines we are drinking and always goes "yuck" but this time ... he was ready to grab the glass for himself!

Frank - love that you do this - will be donating directly to make up for our photo forgetfulness!

#119 Post by **Frank Murray III** » December 1st, 2019, 9:45 am

Thank you, Siun. Everything helps.

#120 Post by **J0seph S c h e n c k** » December 1st, 2019, 10:54 am

2007 Williams Selyem Flax Vineyard pinot

Classic WS aromatics with some bitter underbrush. Some mildly savory fruit characteristics with the slightest pruney character (nondetracting) provided some interest. Great acidity and mouthfeel persists and went well with Thanksgiving fare. Much better than upon release.

2014 Powell Hill Maresh Vineyard Pinot

This is the bottling made for the family that has farmed this area for years. Abundant fruit is tempered with balanced alcohols and no overt wood tones. This is unmistakenly Oregon despite being a very warm year. Delicious. Has some baby fat to shed. Will be better in 3-5 years.

#121 Post by **J0seph S c h e n c k** » December 1st, 2019, 11:02 am

2015 Boheme Wines English Hill Vineyard Pinot

Popped and poured. Classic Sonoma coast cherry juxtaposed between warm (sense of fatness) and the cool windy climate of this region. The result is a beauty. Love this wine. Needs to shed its lanugo and when that happens, watch out. A stunning temptress shall emerge!

Pat K · #122 Post by **Pat K** » December 1st, 2019, 11:14 am

Vigna Dorata NV Rose', Franciacorta DOCG. This Franciacorta is made from Pinot Noir grapes. Disclosure: I am a big fan of Italian wines, and have found great Italian wine values. Literally pink rose-colored, plenty of tiny bubbles. Definite red berry, cherry aromas with hints of yeast and dust. On the palate, berries and yeast persist. This is the type of sparkling wine that could pair with almost any cuisine.

Salute'
To Laura's House!

Juliec · #123 Post by **Juliec** » December 1st, 2019, 11:35 am

TN: 2017 Anthill Farms Pinot Noir Anderson Valley (11/29/2019)
88 pts potentially flawed. The alcohol was running hotter than listed, with high acidity level. Fruit was blended, nothing really stood out. Light transparent Pinot noir, reddish brown color. Simple Pinot, light and airy.

TN: 2017 Wayfarer Wayfarer Vineyard Pinot Noir - served at 68 degrees. (12/1/2019)
92-93 pts. Acid, fruit with floral notes. Cherry, plum came across the strongest, with some light black cherry, strawberry, and pomegranate notes. Pleasant to drink and smooth. Good balance for it’s youth. The acid will fade and leave a better balance. Balance is good now as well. Not much of a nose, but it may be the serving temp. Wine itself was lovely, and drank well for a opening before it’s time. Will get even better with time.

#124 Post by **Mark Y** » December 1st, 2019, 11:40 am

#125 Post by **Mark Y** » December 1st, 2019, 11:42 am

Brian Tuite wrote: ↑
December 1st, 2019, 7:49 am

If you put your IG or Twitter links inside the [media][/media] brackets (the flat screen TV icon next to the spoiler link) they will display properly. Just saying...

Thanks Brian. I’m not doing something right. See my latest post on the Fourrier. It just says [media] before and after the embedded IG image..

Maybe it’s my mobile thing? Gah.

#126 Post by **Brian Tuite** » December 1st, 2019, 12:38 pm

Mark Y wrote: ↑
December 1st, 2019, 11:40 am

You have a space or line break before and after the link. Clean it up and see what happens.

#127 Post by **Br@d S w @ l l o w** » December 1st, 2019, 2:22 pm

I don't visit Wine Talk as much as I should, but I became aware of this thread and thought the least I could do would be to extract $5.00 from FMIII's wallet for a good cause. In so doing, I will also give a shout out to a Berserkerday stalwart, as my TN is for the 2007 Biggio Hamina Deux Vert Pinot Noir:

This wine is dark in the glass, and even while coming up to temp it throws off scents of black cherry and forest, loamy things. The wine is 12 years old, but it is fresh as a daisy. I have a few more of these, and I don't think I will rush to open them. Still, the wine is drinking splendidly now. It is full-flavored and juicy, the flavor reflecting the same sort of dark fruit and forest notes promised by the nose. With that being said, the wine has plenty of acidic lift and is in no way ponderous or heavy in the mouth. I plan to pan-roast a duck breast tonight, and I think this wine will be a perfect compliment. Todd, Chapeau!

#128 Post by **Mark Y** » December 1st, 2019, 3:50 pm

Brian Tuite wrote: ↑
December 1st, 2019, 12:38 pm
You have a space or line break before and after the link. Clean it up and see what happens.

ahhh it works.. altho on my mac desktop/mobile, i don't see a difference between the Fourrier (with media bracketing it) and the dujac (just straight link paste).. weird?
but thank you!

#129 Post by **Dan Kravitz** » December 1st, 2019, 4:13 pm

1988 Clair Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru - At last, a good '88. And one of my last.

I've had rotten luck with most of my '88's over most of the past coupla decades, so decided to Audouze this.

Opened, not decanted, about noon. Bottom of the cork went in the bottle, so I decanted through cheesecloth a couple of minutes ago, went right to it:

Medium to pale crimson color, no hint of brown but slightly orange at the rim. Aromas offer ripe red cherries, a tiny bit of volatile acidity (not enough to detract) and a tiny bit of sous-bois. Not the most complex aromas, but attractive! The palate is light to medium in body. This has both something ethereal and something solid to it, a nice change from my most recent Burgs of this vintage. The red cherries are still predominant, the VA is gone!, the sous-bois is also gone, replaced by some spicy white pepper and a tiny hint of sage. The finish is quite long at over half a minute. This is far from a great wine, but it's both attractive and interesting. Rated 89, drink up.

I whacked a rack of lamb into chops just before I opened this and now I'm gonna saute them. Sally is cooking local potatos, but the asparagus is not local.

To Laura's House a donation and to Frank, blessings. Thank you.

It feels fittingly miraculous to finish with a good '88 Burg.

Dan Kravitz

#130 Post by **Dan Kravitz** » December 1st, 2019, 4:13 pm

#131 Post by **Mark Y** » December 1st, 2019, 5:37 pm

Get another one in before the deadline.

2016 HN CM -
Pop pour. Young. Fresh. Lively. Bright red fruit. I enjoy the house style but needs years of rest.

#132 Post by **Paul Miller** » December 1st, 2019, 6:54 pm

2012 Sojourn, Campbell Ranch, Sonoma Coast
Deep, dark cherry. Some spice. Smooth, luscious. Paired well with pasta, and good on its own.

#133 Post by **J a y H a c k** » December 1st, 2019, 6:54 pm

I've been way too busy and just saw this. Unfortunately, I only drank one pinot in the past week because I mostly drank real wine. It was an Aubert, quite delicious, not very pinot-ish, at least if you base the analysis on Cali pinots. I think it was a 2005 Reuling, but I have to go out into the recycling bin to be sure, and it's sleeting outside, so maybe this will qualify and maybe not, or maybe I'll get a partial extension until tomorrow. I am about to commit heresy, anyway. I have never had DRC but I have read a lot of notes and every talks about power and finesse. Well, that's what the Aubert was. Plenty of power but great smoothness and finesse. Not as much fruit as when young, and no disjointed negative characteristics. Just a very smooth and dare I say sexy wine to drink with friends over Thanksgiving dinner of turkey and rib roast.

#134 Post by **joeduncan** » December 1st, 2019, 8:17 pm

2017 Goodfellow Durant Vineyard Pinot Noir

Tasted from a coravin pour over 2.5 hours. More floral than fruit on the nose. Definite cherry palate with a surprising amount of spice. Significant acid and tannin, this has a long time to go. Very interested to see where it is in 5-10 years.

#135 Post by **Frank Murray III** » December 1st, 2019, 8:29 pm

You all have done an excellent job. I decided to have Pinot Noir tonight too, in support of the ending of this challenge. However, I went Champagne. What a great bottle from Chartogne-Taillet, too. And, with two of my favorite people framing there photo with me, all in support of the Badgers....on Wisconsin!

I'll total up everything tomorrow and let you know how we did.

2013 Chartogne-Taillet Champagne Orizeaux Extra Brut - France, Champagne (12/1/2019)
Oh, yeah man, this is good. Disgorged June 2018, with 4 g/l dosage, 100% PN. Some bread dough on the nose with a palate flush of red fruits that are creamy and pure in tone. Moderate, tangy acidity that adds to the length, ending with a salty, flinty finish that has some chalk infused through it, along with lime zest. I could also swear there is a brushing of cinnamon here too. Damn, this is good.

Posted from CellarTracker

#136 Post by **Chris Seiber** » December 1st, 2019, 10:47 pm

1991 Jean Fery Savigny Les Beaune 1er Cru Les Vergelesses. From a magnum just purchased from Winex.

You hoped to catch lightning in a bottle here, get some aged Burg magic in a late released 28 year old magnum.

But ... not this time. With some air, it opened into a correct wine with life left in it. Light tart cherry, thin texture, good acid left, pretty clean overall, decent if unremarkable with Thanksgiving dinner. It never really hit another gear beyond that by the late evening. Overall, it tasted like something that would be decent value at $15 a (750ml) bottle.

Cool looking bottle, anyway.

#137 Post by **J0seph S c h e n c k** » December 1st, 2019, 10:59 pm

2012 Williams Selyem Bucher vineyard

This poor bottle flew 2K miles roundtrip in 48 hours. Despite being on death row x 6 weeks prior, the sediment was blooming in this bottle like an algae farm. Cloudy, tart, disjointed, faint aromas. The bones are there. Just don’t mistreat it and it will strut like a Mississippi pimp.

#138 Post by **T Klonoski** » December 2nd, 2019, 2:35 am

Frank Murray III wrote: ↑
December 1st, 2019, 8:29 pm
all in support of the Badgers....on Wisconsin!

If you can figure out a way for us to beat Ohio State, this pinot hater will make a separate contribution to the cause.
(You do great work)

#139 Post by **Brian Tuite** » December 2nd, 2019, 6:34 am

I count 92 Frank, correct me if I’m wrong. That’s $460 from me to Laura’s House awaiting tally confirmation.

#140 Post by **Frank Murray III** » December 2nd, 2019, 12:10 pm

Hey everyone. Thanks for a great challenge over the holiday. I'll round my donation up to $700, based on the TNs plus pic TNs, all counted up. And with our other Berserker who is matching me, that's another $700. Plus the donations from Mike D and Brian T ($460) for their matches, and some others of you who also kindly donated to Laura's House, we're north of $2,000, which is terrific work by everyone.

www.laurashouse.org

Domestic violence cripples so many. And with it being a mix of verbal and physical abuse, it harms for the long-term. Your work in this thread helps us give back to Laura's House, to allow their emergency shelter, their counseling services and transitional living, as well as in-court legal advocacy work, to help save the lives of those who flee and look to start over. God bless and thank you.

Fred Bower · #141 Post by **Fred Bower** » December 2nd, 2019, 6:41 pm

I didn't feel like doing anything with a computer over the holiday weekend and the browser just crashed halfway through entering all of these notes, so I'm doing a digest version.

My qualifiers:
Day before Thanksgiving
2002 Rouget Vosne Romanee Cros Parantoux and Evesham Wood Cuvee J
Did these as a comparison because the Cuvee J is inspired by Jayer. They had more in common than different, but the Rouget seemed to have more structure for additional aging. They both had red and black fruits with earth/truffle notes. The J went to more strawberry and tomato leaf with time in the glass. The Cros was not a transcendent experience but was a lovely wine.

The pic:

: Rouget and Cuvee J

Thanksgiving Reds:
2011 Domaine de la Romanee-Conti Echezeaux and Dujac Echezeaux
A comparison of two 2011s. Both great for the vintage, but the DRC gets my nod. They both had black fruit, rose/violet floral elements and a long finish. The Dujac had some green stem notes that detracted. Those could resolve with more time. We'll see. These were both great and to expectations.

Kicker with leftover cheese and meats after dinner was 2003 Ambroise Echezeaux. This one was more black olive tapenade and blueberry. I get that olive note with Ambroise frequently. Maybe a mild brett thing or just the barrel toast. In any event, not something I'd pick as Echezeaux but a nice wine to go with the cheese and meats.

Pic:

: Echezeaux

With dinner, we also had two nice Champagnes
1996 Dom Perignon Rose "P2"
From last year's batch. Beautiful pink color. Strawberry parfait on the nose and a tart cherry and biscuit palate. Didn't seem as round as I was expecting but also didn't have the strawberry notes I get in first release Dom Rose (although I missed the '96 so maybe a vintage thing). I liked it. The Mrs. liked it more.

The second was my fave...1979 Veuve Clicquot Rose "Cave Privee"
From last year's special release from the cellars. Deeper copper-salmon color thank the Dom. Aromas of chocolate, cherry, mushroom, earth, and strawberry. Plenty of bubbles left here. Palate was deep and round but with plenty of acid showing. Loved how this played with the richness of the Thanksgiving table.

Both of these had crazy packaging.

The pic:

: Champagnes

Cheers,
fred

#142 Post by **Charlie Carnes** » December 4th, 2019, 4:27 am

Fred, that is one heck of a weekend line-up!

#143 Post by **Frank Murray III** » December 4th, 2019, 5:13 pm

Fred, thanks for posting the notes. I'll make an additional donation in support of your enthusiasm here--well done, man.

As a side note, I wanted to circle back and let everyone know that an additional matching donor emerged today, too. Another Wine Berserker has stepped up and matched another $1,000 to Laura's House. I want to thank the donor, for having faith in Laura's House and for the donor's generosity they added to the efforts here. THANK YOU!

#144 Post by **J a y H a c k** » December 4th, 2019, 7:27 pm

T Klonoski wrote: ↑
December 2nd, 2019, 2:35 am

Frank Murray III wrote: ↑
December 1st, 2019, 8:29 pm
all in support of the Badgers....on Wisconsin!
If you can figure out a way for us to beat Ohio State, this pinot hater will make a separate contribution to the cause.
(You do great work)

+1

#145 Post by **Frank Murray III** » December 4th, 2019, 9:40 pm

T Klonoski wrote: ↑
December 2nd, 2019, 2:35 am

Frank Murray III wrote: ↑
December 1st, 2019, 8:29 pm
all in support of the Badgers....on Wisconsin!
If you can figure out a way for us to beat Ohio State, this pinot hater will make a separate contribution to the cause.
(You do great work)

Tom, I'll be pulling for the Badgers this Saturday, too. It'd be awesome to see them beat OS.