I thought I should add to this thread so I pulled a fun bottle last night…
2016 Briceland Vineyards Zinfandel Ishi Pishi Ranch - USA, California, North Coast, Humboldt County (8/25/2024)
I came across this rummaging through my cellar and damn if it isn't hitting on all cylinders. Crunch red fruits, a hint of herbs, light earthiness, a hint if vanilla, and refined tannins. Acidity is high/body is low+ for a Zin, resulting in a wine that drinks like a Pinot. Still, it's unmistakably Zin. Super delicious. (94 points)
I think I’ve had every vintage of Zin that @Andrew_Morris has made from this vineyard, and this has been a consistent favorite. Really nice stuff.
So good that during these hot summer months I fight a daily war with myself to show some restraint and not drink my entire haul. @Adam_Frisch worked wonders with this one.
I just had a 2021 Walter Scott Freedom Hill Vineyard pinot last night. Freaking delicious! It was my first WS wine and already I’m a convert. So glad to have taken a flyer on their BD offer.
Also have to echo the praise for Apollo’s Praise. In particular the rieslings and the dry rosé were outstandingly good. @Kelby_James_Russell knocked it out of the park and I can’t wait to see what comes next.
Grabbed a couple recently. The Vincent was in a really nice place but no reason to rush to drink (other than it tastes really good). I liked the Sabelli-Frisch a bit more than it might appear from my note, but it’s not necessarily what I want from Syrah.
2017 Vincent Pinot Noir Ribbon Ridge - USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Ribbon Ridge (9/2/2024)
No detailed notes as I was too busy enjoying this...crunchy red fruits and flowers with high- acidity and light+ body. Drinking well and goes down easy. 13.2%abv. (91 points)
2019 Sabelli-Frisch Syrah Harris Knowles Vineyard - USA, California, Central Valley, Lodi Mokelumne River (9/2/2024)
Quite interesting, at once jammy and restrained. Unmistakably Syrah, the vanilla throws me off a bit but it sort of works in a berries and cream kind of way. Enjoyable, but I wouldn't rush back for more. 13.3%abv.
Thanks for the kind words! We still can’t get over all the BD15 love we received, and are thrilled people have enjoyed the first wines to trickle out.
I type this, meanwhile, as I painstakingly slowly pack up boxes with the second set of BD15 wines for everyone And these are the big gun wines, including the Lovejoy Knoll Blend that not even our own Wine Club knows exists. (Not that the first releases were small peanuts, the Dry Riesling in particular I think punches way above it’s weight.)
Yes, that first year was 6 months in 100% American oak, which turned out to be a bit much (although it has resolved nicely over time). Subsequent vintages have not had any oak on them.
I use oak sparingly, but when I use it I only use American oak for philosophical, environmental, sensory and historical reasons.
And these are the big gun wines, including the Lovejoy Knoll Blend that not even our own Wine Club knows exists. (Not that the first releases were small peanuts, the Dry Riesling in particular I think punches way above it’s weight.)