Abe from Scholium Project was just here...

WINE TALK
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…buying grower Champagnes. I tried to get this up in time to let anyone who had a question get one in but the server timed out.

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PS: we were talking about Eric Asimov pimping LdeH this morning and Abe noted that Eric did not like his wines then said, “you probably don’t either, right?” and I HAD to say “No…they aren’t rustic enough.”…

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I like some of Abe’s wines…I tasted them at Acme with Abe this spring. No, Abe, you do not know/remember me. But 2 of your wines were noteworthy. Here are my notes I posted on eBob:

Scholium Project whites:not your mother’s Sauvignon Blanc

I have been thinking about this for days. I have been bouncing some impressions/reactions/notes off my most reliable wine-tasting resource for days. I had not been alone in tasting - Acme Fine Wines in St. Helena had hosted Abe Schoener last Friday night in their new and expanded digs, and the turnout for the “experience” was good. Now, I drink almost all Cabs…I love them old and new. My exceptions to the rule are Araujo S.B., Aubert Chardonnays, and the occasional Dumol Chardonnay (2004 Russian River this past weekend - outstanding). But I could not leave this alone. We tasted 5 wines, and I will comment on only 2. But those two! Forgive any typos or misrepresentations. I had come to the tasting out of curiosity…not because I expected to be blown away by the wines.

2008 Naucratis - from barrel, served from an unconventional decanter. Grapefruit! Lemon! It was as if someone had taken an ice-pick, driven it into a piece of fruit, and dodged the outpouring squirt of juice. Fresh and inspiring, I think I got it right that it was Verdelho-based. Yikes.

2007 The Prince in his Caves - again, delivered from a beaker of sorts, but I think from bottle previously. Initially, a nose of something strange, almost off-putting, but begging to be tasted. The palate! Some kind of tropical fruits…candied…those slices of fruits that someone, somewhere turns into sugared slices. Rich and delicious, enticing and intriguing. Abe told me it was skin-fermented Sauvignon Blanc. I don’t know of such things, but I like it.

I tasted through a Chardonnay and two red wines. Not too much for me, but I had yet another taste of each of those two white wines, and I became even more enamored, and more intrigued.

Don’t know the price or availability, but I’m still thinking about those wines.

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Roberto - I wonder how Abe knows about the Champagne Headquarters???

Merrill - The 2008 Naucritis is an awesome wine and under $20. San Fran Wine Trading Company is selling it for $17. The Prince In His Caves is much smaller production and sells for $45ish.

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The Prince will accompany me to Napa Valley Wine & Cigar on Saturday. Sounds “odd” - a perfect fit for Berserker I?

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Agreed

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“Roberto - I wonder how Abe knows about the Champagne Headquarters???”

Thanks again for bringing him here last year, Robert. I sent you a tweet with same message yesterday…