In for 3 Solera BdB and 2 Wheeler BdB. Anyone going to the pickup party? 
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3 Manly, 2 McCorrmack, 3 Wheeler
Oysters and bubbly? Count me in.
Yeah I’ll be there also, love the wines Tom makes
Any feedback on the 2023 California Immersion? I have no experience with BXT but its $29 at K&L
It’s unserious yummy bubbles. Tuesday dinner sparkling wine for me. But it’s a bit lacking behind Paula Kornell NV which is tremendous value at $18.
Typing this as we head to Big Sur from Benicia with zero sleep after our drive from San Diego, quick recap on pickup party. This is what offered during open house.
Tom and his team were such great hosts in an intimate setting. I’d book a tasting with him since it’s hard to get super geeky when there’s too many people to entertain.
Oysters and sandwichs are offered. A lady brought her brown butter-sugar pecan bar as I was leaving, those are delish and decadent, perfect with some bubbles.
Beautiful sunny day in Bay Area for some delicious bubbles
Quick tasting notes of everything I tasted minus Immersion 2024.
22 Wheeler: golden apple brioche oxidative nose, citrus, chalky-mineraly with hint of croissant, medium plus acid medium body, medium long finish
22 Manley green apple light yeasty nose, green apple lemony mineral medium finish medium acid
24 Belle Rose: salty red fruit briochey, cheesey nose, medium acid medium body redfruit, yeasty quality, some minerality. Reminds me of Loubud Rosé with almost the same cheesey nose quality.
NV convo: lemon white floral sea spray, high acid medium body lemon mineral medium finish, too fresh right now for solera quality to kick in. Might be better in a few years.
23 Manley: golden apple oxidative briochey salty sea spray nose, lemon golden apple mineral medium long finish.
23 McCormack redfruit brioche salty nose, mineral laden yeasty lemon with some unripe raspberry, medium longfinish.
24 Shake Ridge Syrah: red berries, underripe cherries, pepper, some greeness on nose. Red cherries, some olive and peppery, medium plus body, tannins are untamed, medium acid. Needs 7-10 years to coalesce.
I asked Tom where does he keep his Perpetual Oxidation barrel and he took me to the backroom where he kept his Chardonnay and PO solera, he teased PetGap Azaya Ranch’s Pinot is in experiment right now, then he popped an experiment bottle with Meunier for us.
BdM experiment: 3Y on lees, coconut, powdered sugar nose, tropical vibes, macadamia nutty and confectionery finish, ok acid. Fun to drink.
Azaya PN PetGap and Ascona SCM bubbles coming in 2028, excited for the future of this project.
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