This was surprisingly good and a very different Pinot that managed, unlike so many CA Pinots, to actually taste like Pinot. From CT review:
Cherry, rhubarb, blueberry, a fierce mineral streak, earthy with medium but chewy tannins. To me, clearly Pinot, but I’d be very hard pressed to say it was obviously CA. It’s obviously not from Burg; its ripeness makes it seem from a warmer place. I loved the fruit complexity and the aggressive earth/vegetal notes on top of that. This may sound like faint praise, but I don’t mean it as such: it tastes a little like an undiscovered Geelong pinot. My wife found the ripe primary notes a bit too rich for her. I congratulated her as finally joining the AFWE. For me, this managed to (a) be different but still true to PN and (b) rich without tasting overextracted/ syrah/ tiring. The label says “meant for early drinking” and I would take that at face value.
Score: 94. Relative to expectations: for me, +++ but this will be polarizing.
Thank you, John! This is probably my most AFWE/natty wine ever - and with that comes a really cool and extremely vibrant pinot nose. I’m glad it didn’t rub you the wrong way, it’s been a bit too extreme for some.
2013 Zepaltas Nunes
Just popped this-on opening this is fresh as a daisy, I’d never call this as a 2013. It does have a prominent spicy note, makes me wonder how much new wood this saw. Lovely fresh fruit and again not showing hint of ‘13 age. So far very very nice.
Wherever Ryan is I hope he’s happy-I have thoroughly enjoyed his Chards-Pinots-and Cab Francs thru the years. #fantastic B-Day value
2022 Prima Materia Negroamaro Vinum in Agris- my first ever Negroamaro. Popped and poured at cellar temp. Dark ruby color, just a bit of lightening at the rim. Intriguing nose of roast coffee, volcanic ash and bacon fat. Deep dark savory plum fruit on the attack with nice balancing earthiness - minimal tannins and a bit of acid on the finish. This is intriguing and will be great with grilled marinated chicken we are having for dinner.
I stayed in touch with John King for a bit, very nice fellow who made some great wines (he came and visited me at the winery when I was in DTLA a few times). They had a dispute between the brand and cork manufacturer due to taint and don’t think it was resolved. Also, some partners interests diverging etc, so the brand is dormant. Hoping for a comeback one day.
I had 2 bottles of the 2016 Johan and they both were raisiny/pruney. In contrast the 2016 La Chenaie, which was stored with the Johan, was in a great place.
We had this a few weeks ago, and I never got around to posting. This was wacky, tasty, fun. From CT review:
Fantastic concoction that made me think of the only variety that isn’t in it: Grenache. Cherry/ strawberry fruit roll up, some light herbal note, very fine and soft tannins. Absolutely delightful on a late spring day outdoors. At a retail price of, did I read that right? $17, this is insane value.
