While these are all post-scripts and thus don’t include my typical tasting note systematic approach, I figued a few of you berserkers might enjoy them.
2021 JB Neufeld Cabernet Sauvignon and 2021 JB Neufeld Two Blonds
I’ll start with the JB Neufeld, which I found out about on here last year when I joined a few months before BD14. I had been going hard in 2022 and 2023 after building my cellar and enjoyed the opportunity to try so many different wines thanks to this board. Among my favorite of BD14 was the JB Neufeld Cab Sauv from 2021 (which at the time was not even in bottle). I remember tasting the first bottle and thinking how right the group was for the quality of these wines. I’ll also mention that I’m typically not a fan of Washington Cab Sauv. I’m usually a California or Bordeaux guy, however these are extremely well made. I ended up finishing up the last bottle of the 6 I purchased for BD14 about a week before BD15. JB Neufeld was the only wine I re-uped for this year.
I ended up getting the split case (6 Two Blonds, 6 more Cab Sauv) this year and have been interested in trying the Single Vineyard. We ended up opening a bottle with 3 other couples at a super bowl/birthday party and the damn Two Blonds was so good I ran back across the street for another bottle. The 2021 Two Blonds is an exceptional wine, especially from a region I don’t truly tend to appreciate. Have to say Hats off to this outstanding producer and a big thanks to the friends here that suggested them to me.
2019 Wren Hop Field Busker
I’ve had the opportunity to try a handful of Wren Hop wines and have to say I’ve continually been impressed. It’s been a year or so since I’ve opened a Field Busker and it lept out of the bottle in such an irreverent way I wanted to mention it. Outstanding balance in these wines from what I’ve seen. Great fruit, with nice ripe cherries and red fruit on the nose and palate. Not overly oaked but a kiss to impart some structure and maybe soften the alcohol. Overwhelmingly pleasant and expressive of the terroir. Just a wine I really enjoy drinking.
2021 Realm Hartwell XX
First, I’d be remiss if I didn’t start this comment by saying this bottle was opened and enjoyed at Christmas 2023. I have memories but not a proper tasting note. I’ll also mention that the Hartwell property is special to my wife and I, and along with meeting Scott on our recent trip to Napa for our 10th anniversary in October, might impose some impartiality to my usually balanced review…
Double decanted for 8 hours before dinner (thanks for teaching me this Gramme), the wine has a wonderful dark purple color to it - I’d add that it seems very obvious it’s a natural coloring. While decanting and pouring back in to the cleaned bottle the fragrance was overly pronounced. Big aromas of black fruit (more blueberry than black) and current. When I took a small taste before re-corking, I was immediately angry with myself for opening it. So young, so tannic (albeit soft and not astringent) and a drammatic fruit flavor that carried a balanced alcohol and tannin right from the start. At dinner, the perfume on the nose was even more pronounced, having enjoyed the 8 hours in the bottle with a little more oxygen. The wine was full bodied and precise. It’s clear this is a special bottle to Benoit…
All that to say, all three of these wines are worth the squeeze to me (price) and I’m thankful to have enjoyed them. The Hartwell XX is one of the most expensive per bottle wines I’ve ever purchased and my apprehensions have been laid to rest. I’ll happily take whatever future allotment I can.
Cheers fellow Berserkers,
Steve
