TN: A Ridge, an ESJ and a tired Gigondas.

WINE TALK
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My 7 week separation from my wine due to a drawn our relocation to Southern Indiana is over, so time to start posting some notes. I’m new here at WB, but have poked around and checked the corners and just may plop down on the sofa from time to time.

  • 2000 Ridge Lytton Springs - USA, California, Sonoma County, Dry Creek Valley
    A nice quaff with grilled pork chops. Fairly straight forward Zin character but lacking in the complexity I usually associate with this bottling. Quite soft, so I suspect it is time to drink these up, although I don’t think they are in immediate danger of cascading down the hill. A noticeable step down from the 1999.
  • 1998 Domaine Santa Duc Gigondas - France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Gigondas
    Some brick color at the edge. Fading fruit and drying tannins. This one is on the downward death spiral…well actually it has crashed. Drink up.
  • 2007 Castle Rock Pinot Noir Mendocino County - USA, California, North Coast, Mendocino County
    Showing more sweetness than previous bottles. Became tiresome, somewhat ponderous, to drink after the first glass. Will not be buying more.
  • 2001 Edmunds St. John Syrah Wylie-Fenaughty - USA, California, Sierra Foothills, El Dorado County
    This wine just keeps getting better and better. Classic Syrah with hints of Crozes, but also with a California bent without going over the top. Still some unresolved tannins. Balanced with excellent structure. Many years ahead for it. No noticeable alcohol. Just another reason I am a fan of ESJ!

Best,
Redwinger

2

Welcome Bill.
Nice notes. The ESJ sounds great.
I’m trying to hang on to my last few of the 2000 WF as the damn wine gets better each time I open one. Built for the long haul. The '01 sounds quite similar. Just starting to show its potential. Cheers.

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Winger,

You found your way! Welcome!

Paul

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Regarding the 1998 Santa Duc Gigondas – this wine is nowhere near being over-the-hill – from your notes, I (sadly) suspect heat damage somewhere along its route from the Rhone to your cellar …

Alex

5

Good to see you here Bill. You can call me Delmar; O Brother Where Art Thou? - YouTube
“Come in boys, the water is fine!”

Delmar says stop buying el cheapo pinot at the grocery store. Look for under $20 '07 Oregon pinot. You can find a lot of good suggestions at Avalon and Vinopolis and Storyteller.
Delmar opened a 2001 Domaine du Caillou CdP last evening to go with some beer butt chicken. I do swear, if there is a better deal in CdP or in all the Rhone than this producer, I haven’t seen or tasted it. Kept taking on weight and depth but I loved it’s focus. It didn’t come off like a blend. Blackberry mostly.
“Neither God nor man has nothing on me!”

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Delmar has obviously not been in Northeast Iowa and his wine in storage 500 miles away.

BTW, Delmar would be very comfortable here in Depauw. But hey, [imnewhere.gif].