TN: Trimbach, Tablas Creek, Two Hands, Byass

WINE TALK
1

Got together with some good friends last night and picked a diverse line up for dinner. Gotta get rid of a few things before I move.
But first to check out a recent score in the close-out department.

2002 Trimbach Riesling Frederic Emile - Disclaimer, my store bought this cheap and hooked up a few local Berserkers. [berserker.gif] Decided to try one myself! Very tropical nose, pineapple, honey, fusel. Very inviting. Lots of fruit upfront with some minerals and lemon peel coming in to play. Acid comes in and slices through. More fruit driven than an 01 shared with some Berserkers a few months ago. Needs some time to flesh out, but very tasty!

2006 Tablas Creek Syrah - Meaty, earthy, funky nose. Some blackberry, smoke, and leather as well. Very complex aromatics right out of the bottle. Medium weight with some green peppercorn on the palate and a spicy finish. Rhone-like in the flavors, but with some upfront sweet black fruit to let you know it is CA.

2003 Two Hands Shovel Blanc - …yeah. Tobacco and plum on the nose. Big, ripe, sweet cherry, alcohol. Alcohol and prune on the short finish. Merlot/Cab Franc. Again, this style is NOT for me.

Gonzales Byass Palo Cortado 30yr - Rancio, toffee, nuts, caramel on the nose. Very complex aromatically. Slightly sweet toffee notes, but then a saline character drys it up a little. Powerful finish with just a hint of orange peel. Very nice aged sherry.

2

Damn, Mike, I thought for sure I would beat you to the punch on the Trimbach. Based on your note I think I’ll lay off for a while.

Sounds like maybe you think the '01 will be longer lived?

3

I didn’t have any interesting whites at my house so I threw one in the fridge when I got to work. I win! neener

The 01 was more lean and mineral driven, I was really suprised how much fruit the 02 showed up front. Obviously still not a “fruity” wine, but moreso than the 01.

I think with an hour of air it drinks well. As you had read in reviews the acid is pretty high, but I don’t find it out of place. There is no worry about this dying soon, but I don’t think it is wrong to try one now. More forward than 01.

Maybe I’ll chill one down for Sat! I don’t have a starter wine picked out yet. [winner.gif]

4

Why not? What’s another pound on the elephant?