Was up at August West wines in San Francisco last week helping out with the harvest and hanging with fellow Berserkers Wes Barton, Ken Zinns and Ed Kurtzman. I got a chance pickup my BDX Cuvee from Ed and brought him a bottle of Goodfellow Berkersker Cuvee. Ed wanted to pop both and do some side by side tasting. I wasn't about to argue with that.
Both are lovely and delicous wines, stylistically similar but different. I expect no less from two excellent veteran pinot makers.
The 2017 Sandler Berseker Cuvee was drinking nice very well. Open for business out of the box. This wine is softly shouting "Bien Nacido" with its early ready to drink character. Beautiful red fruit with wonderful mushroom and earthy notes on the nose and the palate. Soft delicate finish. Round without being lush. This wine is approachable now and ready to drink. I know Ed's wine can age and expect this to be no different but why wait when it's this good now.
The 2017 Goodfellow Bersker Cuvee. Was really tight on the nose that day. Needed a good decant which it didn't get. Subtle strawberry but tight. On the palate juicy red fruit with nice balancing acidity. Some added spiciness from the whole cluster and a nice long finish. This wine needs some time and has the structure but seems to be closing down compared to the previous bottle.
Glad to have a bunch of each of these to enjoy now and long into the future. Kudo's to two awesome winemakers for stepping up and continuing a tradition Jim Anderson started. In a few years, I will be sure to have a 3-way Berseker Cuvee tasting.
Here's a picture of winemaker Ed Kurtzman with the goods... (Ken Zinns in the background on the ladder cleaning out the hopper).
