EdmundsStJohn Newsletter

[Pat_Martin]

I haven’t followed ESJ from the beginning, but I was trying them by 1995 (the 1993 Durell was my first ESJ)… initially due to Parker’s high praise! Something (or someone) changed, but it wasn’t the quality of the wines.

ESJs wines are just as good today as 1993, IMHO. I do think the vineyards have varied in interest/quality through the decades - I was particularly fond of Durell and Rozet - but this regular change in the fruit source has also kept the wines varied and diverse while the Rhone theme remained a constant.

I suppose one conclusion, if Parker’s assertion is true, is that I don’t drink enough Cotes du Rhone!

[Pat_Martin]

@David M. Bueker

I just skimmed through the eBob thread that resulted from those low brow Cotes du Rhone reviews. Let’s just say I found it amusing and frustrating at the same time.

I’d really enjoy seeing that thread, too bad I’m locked out of eBob.

[David_Bu3ker]

It’s not all that interesting in retrospect. You can read the piece by Robin Garr that kicked off the thread though: WineLoversPage - Straight talk in plain English about fine wine

[Pau1_M3nk3s]

@David M. Bueker

It’s not all that interesting in retrospect. You can read the piece by Robin Garr that kicked off the thread though: WineLoversPage - Straight talk in plain English about fine wine

Thanks David. The article brings back fond memories of the 2005 Shell and Bone, and looking forward to the 2005 Bassetti sometime next decade.

[TomHill]

@Pat Martin

I haven’t followed ESJ from the beginning, but I was trying them by 1995 (the 1993 Durell was my first ESJ)… initially due to Parker’s high praise! Something (or someone) changed, but it wasn’t the quality of the wines.

ESJs wines are just as good today as 1993, IMHO. I do think the vineyards have varied in interest/quality through the decades - I was particularly fond of Durell and Rozet - but this regular change in the fruit source has also kept the wines varied and diverse while the Rhone theme remained a constant.
I suppose one conclusion, if Parker’s assertion is true, is that I don’t drink enough Cotes du Rhone!

Those vnyds did make some exceptional wines early on, Pat. But Steve thought the quality of the fruit was dropping and he abandoned those vnyds. Same w/ Bassetti.
Tom

[Sean_Devaney]

@TomHill

@Pat Martin

I haven’t followed ESJ from the beginning, but I was trying them by 1995 (the 1993 Durell was my first ESJ)… initially due to Parker’s high praise! Something (or someone) changed, but it wasn’t the quality of the wines.

ESJs wines are just as good today as 1993, IMHO. I do think the vineyards have varied in interest/quality through the decades - I was particularly fond of Durell and Rozet - but this regular change in the fruit source has also kept the wines varied and diverse while the Rhone theme remained a constant.
I suppose one conclusion, if Parker’s assertion is true, is that I don’t drink enough Cotes du Rhone!

Those vnyds did make some exceptional wines early on, Pat. But Steve thought the quality of the fruit was dropping and he abandoned those vnyds. Same w/ Bassetti.
Tom

Are you sure that is the case with the Durell fruit? The news letter seems to indicate that ESJ lost acess to the fruit when the vineyard was sold. Maybe I’m reading this wrong?

Ed Durell sold his vineyard early in ’98, and, having lost access to grapes from the Brandlin Ranch the previous year, we began to look, once again, for new sources for topnotch winemaking material