After a sleep-deprived decadent three day weekend of non-stop eating and drinking a group of weary Scholium freaks from NY and LA met at Scholium Project Headquarters in Fairfield (home of The Scholium Project and Sylvester Stewart a.k.a. Sly Stone! coincidence?) to taste through an astounding array of wines including many new entrants to the Scholium portfolio with Graeme McDonald, the Assistant winemaker of The Scholium Project.
Graeme McDonald’s 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon
Graeme is Abe’s highly capable and talented assistant and possibly the first full-time Scholium employee. His first wine is from a top Napa Cabernet Sauvignon Vineyard (not sure if I can mention the name of the vineyard but it is a Grand Cru level vineyard). This wine is a beautifully elegant, pure, smooth and balanced old school cabernet. Corison cabs come to mind as a comparator. Has anyone else noticed a subtle shift in winemaking in California coming from younger winemakers that seek more balanced and elegant wines???
The Whites…
2007 Sylphs – Chardonnay – Guman Vineyard
This wine is clearly still evolving and is yet to have all of the typical Guman Vineyard characteristics. Very dark golden color. Extremely chardonnay like at this point with lots of minerality; although it has yet to gain the weird nuttiness that is typical of Sylphs. Based on tastings of prior vintages at this point in their elevage this looks very promising.
2008 Glos – Sauvigon Blance – Glos
A slightly cloudy or murky golden color. Strong aromas of citrus. Penetrating minerality with great acidity.
CRAZY MINERALITY is a common trait in all of the Scholium whites.
2008 Prince in His Caves – Sauvignon Blanc – Farina Vineyard
Crazy almost neon like golden color. More tame and elegant (and less murky) than the 2007 Prince – perhaps a midpoint between the 2006 and 2007 Prince in His Caves.
2008 Riquewehr – Gewurtztraminer – Lost Slough
Abe’s tasting notes say that this is difficult to recognize as Gewurtztraminer. I agree it has enormous intensity and the taste lasts for an eternity. Lots of weight and texture. Great minerality…not quite as insane as the 2007 but this could just be because its still evolving. Tasted the 2007 two days before and it is an amazing mind blowing wine.
2008 (Yet to be named) – Verdelho – Vista Luna Vineyards
Whoa! A very cool new wine from the Sacramento Delta. One the other tasters said it reminded them of a northern rhone white. I agree because it has very impressive weight and intensity. The wine went through partial malo. This is an awesome addition to the line-up and clearly different from the Lost Slough. I think it will be released later this year…
The Reds…
2008 (Yet to be named) – Malvasia Nero
I did not have high hopes for this wine as it was somewhat of an experiment and I happened to be at the winery when the fruit came arrived. It is a crazy aromatic wine (violets!) with dark fruit characteristics and very tart. I loved it and look forward to drinking it with the appropriate food pairing.
2008 (Yet to be named) – Mourvedre
100% whole cluster from 80% year old vines. I also loved this wine and was pleasantly surprised. Slight amount of funk with some cassis. Dark fruits. Very intense.
Sly will like this wine…I wonder if he picks up Scholium direct from the winery???
2007 Babylon – Petite Syrah – Tenbrink Vineyards
Dark as night color. Black fruits. Spice. Intense. No sulphur and no topping. Another great Babylon.
2007 (Forgot the name – something that translates to lady slayer!) – Syrah – Hudson Vineyards
This wine is freaking awesome! Black as night. Smoked ham, grilled meats, purple violets, wet cigars, enormous amounts of dark fruits. I HATE when tasting notes do this but here goes – I think this is a Cali version of La Mouline! 98-100 points!
2008 (Yet to be named) – Syrah – Hudson Vineyards
Not as evolved aromatically as the 2007 and much more tannic. Still promising just not as outstanding at this point as the 2007.