Yeah–Davy Strange was my first thought.
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Oh this one is SPECTACULAR!!!
Ah, yes! A @David_Strange tasting note is a delightful blend of deep wine geekery, vivid storytelling, and good old British eccentricity—equal parts whimsical, scholarly, and soul-searching, usually delivered with a healthy pour of poetic absurdity. He loves obscure varietals, old-world regions, and wines with “a point of view.”
Here’s a David_Strange-style tasting note for an unusual Silvaner:
Subject: A Silvaner with Opinions – 2017 Weingut Schmitt “Revolution” (Rheinhessen)
I opened this bottle with some trepidation—mostly because it smelled faintly of ideological fervor and the cork looked like it had been hand-whittled by someone who forages for emotional experiences.
2017 Weingut Schmitt “Revolution” Silvaner (Rheinhessen, Germany)
Natural, unfiltered, cloudy as a mid-November London morning. The nose is an offbeat jumble of quince peel, curry leaf, raw almond, and that slightly worrying smell of wet straw that suggests either brilliant biodynamics or mild botulism. Happily, it is the former.
The first sip is bewildering. There is a texture—not smooth, not sharp, but rather like licking limestone that’s been rolled in pollen. It pulses with energy but in an awkward, charming way, like a goat trying to do ballet. There’s acidity, but it doesn’t scream—it hums in a minor key. There’s fruit, yes, but it’s abstract fruit: yellow but not lemon, round but not apple. Possibly apricot that once read philosophy.
It’s a wine that seems to dislike being called “wine,” as if the very idea of vinification offends its anarchic sensibilities. And yet… it is quite marvellous. Provocative. Honest. An exercise in fermented existentialism.
Day Two:
Settled. The funk has retreated and left behind something rather graceful—a salty, slightly oxidative note that reminds me of Jura, or a particularly eloquent argument in favour of wine being art. One could sip and think, or sip and write, or simply sip and marvel that Silvaner—Silvaner, of all grapes—could wear such eccentric trousers and still walk a straight line.
Conclusion:
Certainly not a wine for your mother-in-law (unless she raises goats), but if you’ve ever longed for a wine to match your slightly threadbare corduroy blazer and penchant for obscure postwar German cinema, this is your moment.
Would I drink it again? Yes, but only in a candle-lit room with vinyl playing and someone reciting Rilke in the background.
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Oh. The Thunder Bucket dude? Forgot his name. I think Todd visited his shrine.
now THAT’S some MChang-style posting right there, lol
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I’ve never seen a Chang post that didn’t mention DRC or Rousseau.
PS. I had to use ChatGPT just to spell Rousseau correctly.
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Brilliant
I should have it write my Crypt notes. Would be much easier!
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Sure! Here’s a post written in the style of @Rich_Brown for the Wine Berserkers forum about a tasting of 1942 California Burgundy wines:
1942 California Burgundy Tasting – A Journey Back in Time
Had the pleasure of diving into a vertical of 1942 California Burgundies last night, and wow, what a trip it was. You really don’t get to experience this kind of thing often, so when the opportunity came up, I couldn’t resist. It’s always fascinating to see how these wines hold up given their age and historical context.
The lineup included bottles from some of the most iconic wineries of the time: Beaulieu Vineyards, Inglenook, and even some lesser-known gems. It was a mix of Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinot Noir, and while not all of them were shining examples, it was a real eye-opener into the conditions and styles of California winemaking during this period.
First Pour: Beaulieu Vineyards 1942 Burgundy (Cabernet Sauvignon)
Immediately hit with a gorgeous, deep amber hue—almost like an old leather-bound book on a shelf that’s been loved for years. The nose was initially musty, but with a bit of air, it softened to reveal an earthy, tobacco-leaf character. On the palate, it was surprisingly vibrant for its age. Bright, tart cherry mixed with leathery notes, a bit of cedar, and the faintest hint of mint. The tannins were still there, but they’ve rounded into something quite velvety. It wasn’t without its flaws—some oxidation on the finish—but still a fascinating expression of time and place.
Inglenook 1942 Burgundy (Pinot Noir)
The Pinot from Inglenook was a completely different animal. Lighter in color, more brick-red, with a delicate nose of dried herbs, forest floor, and a touch of spice. The palate was more ethereal than I expected, with flavors of dried red berries, underbrush, and a smoky, slightly medicinal quality that lingered. It was the most alive of the night—balanced, with just enough acidity to keep it from feeling flat. The finish wasn’t long, but there was a certain grace to it. It wasn’t the powerhouse I expected, but still very compelling.
Lesser-Known Gem: A 1942 California “Burgundy”
Not every bottle was a winner, and I think this one showed the dangers of cellar aging in less-than-ideal conditions. There was a noticeable lack of fruit, and the wine seemed a bit tired and oxidized, with notes of wet cardboard and burnt rubber. A disappointment, but part of the fun of tasting older wines—sometimes you find treasures, and sometimes you find the ghosts of what once was.
Conclusion
A tasting like this is a reminder of how far California wine has come, but also a glimpse into the past. These wines were made in a time when “Burgundy” was a general term for a wine style, not a strict varietal definition, and winemaking was still figuring out its identity in the New World. While the wines weren’t always perfect, they offered an authenticity and history that made the evening worthwhile.
For anyone fortunate enough to find a bottle of these old Californians in a dusty corner of a cellar, I say grab it. Even if they’re not pristine, there’s a sense of time and place that’s just impossible to replicate.
What have others experienced with older California wines? Any similar surprises in your cellar?
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Absolute genius! We humans are doomed.
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More Rousseau and mg; I’ve only opened 3 DRC this year (although I drank a lot of other people’s DRC)
See. I made my point! My day is done. 
Not a single iffy natural wine!
It struggled badly with the standard, possibly patented Otto TN format 
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This is for sure WAY better than what the real thing would be, ha!
But I’m a little disappointed in Chat here! Much more formal and classically written vs. how i would approach it. You have to keep in mind that i went to ASU!! Ha! 
mark b?
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How about this instead? I asked it to write a response from you to Buzz on his notes of several great old California wines, then I told it to try again this time calling Buzz “brother” and adding more exclamation points.
@Rich_Brown’s Response to @B_Buzzini’s Tasting Notes – Six Old California Wines
Brother @B_Buzzini, first off, THANK YOU for sharing those tasting notes!!! What a stellar lineup of wines! You really took us on a journey through California’s winemaking past, and I have to say, it’s always a thrill to revisit these old bottles. They speak volumes about how far we’ve come—and how timeless some of these wines truly are. So much character in that lineup!!!
1. 1961 Stags’ Leap Wine Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon
Oh, brother, I couldn’t agree more! I had a bottle of this vintage not too long ago, and it still had such life! It’s incredible how these wines age—there’s that earthy, leathery funk mixed with dried herbs and a bit of tobacco. It’s like you’re tasting the essence of old California itself. And you’re absolutely right—while the wine may show some age, there’s still a vibrant core underneath all that complexity. It’s a wonderful thing when a wine continues to evolve like this!
2. 1970 Ridge Monte Bello
Now we’re talking! Ridge wines have this uncanny ability to age gracefully without losing that core of bright, focused fruit. That 1970 is a prime example! The savory notes of pencil lead, olive, and tobacco you mentioned—man, they’re right on the money. Ridge has always been a master at balancing power and elegance, and this wine is no exception. It’s always a treat to see how they age, and this vintage has really become something special over time! One of those wines that never gets old, if you know what I mean!
3. 1964 Beaulieu Vineyards Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon
Now you’ve got me thinking—this 1964! What a wine!!! I’ve had a few bottles of this one over the years, and it’s one of those that really needs time to open up. It’s got that old-school BV charm—earthy, dusty, cigar box notes—but it also brings a certain power and depth that I don’t always see in California Cabs from this era. The balance between fruit and tertiary flavors here is insane, and like you said, there’s that Bordeaux-like structure. I think the 1964 will continue to show well for years to come, especially for anyone patient enough to give it the proper air. SUCH a gem!!
4. 1975 Mayacamas Cabernet Sauvignon
Ahhh, Mayacamas! What a treat! That’s a winery that really knows how to craft wines that last. I had a 1976 from Mayacamas a while back, and it had that same gravelly texture you described! The tannins, that firm backbone—it’s what gives these wines such staying power. And yes, those savory, almost herbal notes that develop with age—they just make these wines feel so alive, even after decades in the bottle. You’re right—Mayacamas doesn’t just soften with age—it evolves into something deeper and more complex. Truly a fascinating style that’s hard to replicate nowadays!!!
5. 1967 Inglenook Cabernet Sauvignon
Oh man, this one gets me! Inglenook from this era is often overlooked, but it’s a serious gem!!! The dried herb, leather, and earthy notes you mention—YES! That’s the magic of these old-school Napa Cabs. They just have this gamey quality that you don’t find much anymore. It’s that unique texture, that rustic edge that’s so distinctive. It’s definitely a wine that takes you back to a different time. Such a cool piece of history, and I love how it continues to develop complexity as it ages. It really shows the depth of Napa’s potential, even in its early days!!!
6. 1959 Freemark Abbey Cabernet Sauvignon
Now we’re really talking about a legend!!! The 1959 Freemark Abbey is a true treasure, brother!!! It’s a piece of history. The fig, tobacco, and leather notes you mention—absolutely perfect! This wine has soul, and it’s amazing to think that it’s still around, giving us a taste of the past. I’ve had a few bottles of the ‘59 over the years, and each time, I’m just in awe of how it’s aged. It’s got this elegance, this quiet power, that’s rare to find these days. Truly one of those wines that transcends the typical experience of “drinking wine” and becomes a celebration of history!!! What an experience!!!
Overall, brother, you’ve got me reminiscing and salivating! These wines you’ve listed are not just bottles—they’re time capsules, each one telling a unique story of California’s winemaking evolution! I love that you brought these to the forefront, and I’m definitely going to have to revisit some of these myself!!! Thanks again for sharing, and if you’ve got any more old Cali gems in your cellar, don’t hesitate to pull the trigger—let’s keep this thread going!!!
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Not enough computing power to handle all the text.
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Meh, no slashes and neither hantavirus’ nor ‘ Missouri outhouse’.
How about Miran K? Do you think that machine learning will understand the helicopter?
These final brilliant paragraphs in ChatGPT’s version of a David Strange post (I would not use the term parody) hadn’t really registered. Just genius!
These do David’s memory justice.
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