A few meaningful bottles (Virage, Elkhorn Peak, Vincent, old '68 Colheita)

WINE TALK
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I recently opened a few meaningful bottles with friends to discuss current events.

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2021 Elkhorn Peak Chardonnay (Napa Valley). Opened because Elkhorn Peak is a champion for the little guy in Napa. Served at cellar temp. Very nice pear notes. Nice roundness with enough acidity to keep everything balanced. Drink now through 2026.

2019 Vincent Pinot Noir Zenith Vineyard (Oregon, Eola-Amity Hills). Opened because Vincent is a generous, standup guy. Contains a bit of whole cluster and 75% neutral oak. My friend Nate said “this wine is why I like wine.” Hat tip to @Vincent_Fritzsche for answering a few of our nerdy questions on the fly. Drink or hold.

2007 Virage Napa Valley. Opened because @Emily_Richer goes all the way back to BerserkerDay III. This was her first vintage, and talk about coming out swinging! It is in a perfect spot. Red fruit, medium bodied, soft tannin. The brightness of the Cab Franc perfectly intertwines with the supple Merlot. Drink now.

1968 Palmer Colheita Tawny Port. Bottled in 2019. Opened because it’s my birth year dammit. Drinks like a tawny on steroids. Candied orange, caramel, dark honey, nutty. Really excellent and too bad I only have one more bottle.

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Since it’s your birth year, there is some really nice '68 Tawny available in the states for the high $200’s. 1968 Taylor Fladgate Very Old Single Harvest Aged Tawny. Colheita and single vintage tawny are similar enough for me to consider them as identical, even though there might be slight regulatory differences (the main difference is mostly in terminology rather than the winemaking process itself).
I like to keep all birth year vintages in my cellar to open for guests of my charity wine dinners. 1968 has been a particularly difficult one. I opened my last 1968 wine earlier this year, a beautiful Krohn Porto Colheita.

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Noval made a particularly gorgeous one, unfortunately they no longer bottle it.

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Thanks, Warren. I picked up the Palmer in the UK couple years ago at a very nice price. The merchant also had some 1997s (wedding year) so I got a pair of those as well.

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I checked my cellar, and I have 2 bottles of the 07 Virage left. I have been opening a bottle of this for the family Christmas dinner each year. I’m thinking about holding the last bottle for its 20th anniversary.

Thoughts Patrick/others?

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If I were you, I would open one bottle in a few weeks and then make the call. I think it will be fine at 20 years. (And beg @Emily_Richer for bottles to fill in the intervening years.)

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I begged her a few years ago, and it’s my understanding she is out of the 2007. This includes even her personal stash, which she lost in the fire that wiped out her residence.

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I remember that. Ugh.

I still say drink one this December and then beg the Berserker community.

(The 2012s are also fantastic.)

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I had my last 2012 Barrel Select earlier this year, and it was great. I actually like the 2011s better.

I bought a bunch of her 2013 CF, but haven’t cracked one yet.

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Take one for the team. Not many CT reviews but looks like it needs a lot of air.

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Just saw this post – I’m sorry to comment so late, but we’re super honored to be part of the lineup, and wanted to drop a note to say thank you very much, Patrick. This post reminds me of my dad’s philosophy on life… He often says: “I can solve nearly any problem over a bottle of wine and a few honest conversations.” If only world leaders subscribed to this philosophy! I hope you’re doing well, my friend. Cheers.

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