From magnum with short decant. Expressive nose with a little bit of cab franc chili thrown into a red berry mix. Some alcoholic heat to me - but that might just be amplified by the spiciness on the palate.
This was interesting in that it was up against a Kapcsándy Grand Vin 2011. For me the Kapcsándy completely outclassed this wine, as pleasant as it was. Others at the table preferred the high expressiveness of the Blackbird. However, since it’s my account, I’ll score by my preference.
Score: 92. Relative to expectations: +
2014 Jean Edwards Cellars Cooper’s Cuvee Calistoga Napa Valley
95% Petit Sirah, 3% Petit Verdot 2% Malbec
Lots of wood and an otherwise flat profile on the pop n pour. Given some time in glass and it subsequent pours, the O2 exposure brought on fruit and tobacco profiles. Deep plum and dark blackberry began to emerge and held through a lingering finish. This was enjoyable both with the traditional Thanksgiving food pairings and also on its own. The deep body and smooth tannin make this a winner.
I had the pleasure of meeting the namesake of this wine many times picking up wine from Karen and John in NJ. Originally with his sidekick Oaklee, they always made a big ruckus but were kind and gentle droolers once they settled in. Copper slowed down a bit as he aged and but he was always wanted to know what was going on in the house and was friendly as ever. I know Jaren and John miss him immensely, and his wine certainly lives up to his strong and powerful presence.
2020 EDWC teleport Gris
Joyful Thanksgiving wine. Leaner and more herbaceous (in a bracing, apertivo way) than I remember but didn’t spend much time thinking about it - went down too fast! The crowd favorite! (92) NB: this is 13% Evangelho Mourvedre - not sure if it counts for the bonus! The rest is semillon, Chenin blanc, and barbera
2021 Bedrock California Syrah
Nice; herbal, cool blue fruits, a touch too extracted, lots of depth and great Syrah character with a bit of olive brine and beef blood, but feels slightly top heavy to me. Probably would have benefited from an extended decant. (89)
1977 Taylor Fladgate Port
Cork slightly pushed and completely saturated, signs of seepage, but came out in one piece with the Durand. Unexpectedly medium-light bodied, delectable, savory, and a bit spirit-y. Grilled nuts, figs, candied orange peel, a touch of acetone. Very long finish. Doesn’t quite have the complexity I was expecting for this hallowed vintage - perhaps has seen sub-optimal storage somewhere along the way… but still a very nice port in a good place. (93)
The PGC Berserkers Cuvee was drinking great - kind of amazing when you think about what Jim sold these for; as I posted on CT, I would have been equally happy if I had paid $50 per bottle for this, and I still have a few bottles tucked away in the cellar.
The Belle Pente was good; I don’t have a lot of experience with this producer’s wines, and it’s possible that this wine is starting to head downhill, but it lacked the liveliness of the Vincent and the PGC.
I didn’t really care for the Shea; full-bodied and fruit forward, but lacked the elegance and focus of the other wines.
Your description sounds like a difference in age vs the other wines. In early stages of maturity, full bodied and fruit forward overpower the finesse and elegance that may present with a few years sideways
1973 Fetzer Mendocino Petite. At In-laws in southern CO for the Holiday so my options are limited but i brought this with. Nice enough but unremarkable. Deep red color with minimal bricking but fairly nondescript on the palate with old musty leather (that did not blow off) and some very faint tart red fruit. Brother-in-laws birth-year so we enjoyed it for what it was.
Classic BdB. So much lemon, some passion fruit, and some almond paste/pastry sweetness. Here again, I think youth is masking what this could be. I just don’t have the cellar depth to drink Champagne when prime or the financial ability to drink the way I wish I could. Cest la vie!
I had a bottle of this same wine that I bought from BerserkerDay and it was undrinkable…I have had other Ladd Cellars Chards that I enjoyed, but the bottle of the 2018 Sonoma Coast I had the other night had virtually no fruit, and the lemony tartness and acidity was not pleasant…I just assumed it was an off bottle.
2018 Tellier Champagne Les Conardins - France, Champagne (11/24/2023)
First look at this producer. Fruit coming from all angles here. Tropical on the nose, citrus on the finish, but with enough acidity and minerality to balance it out. Was received well by the guests. Glad to have a couple more as well as some other iterations. Good value.
2020 Rivers-Marie Chardonnay Bearwallow Vineyard Anderson Valley - USA, California, North Coast, Anderson Valley (11/24/2023)
Pop n pour. Nose and palate loaded with orchard fruits, some lemon cream on the mid-palate. Acidity cut through the Apricot/Brie en Croûte we paired it with. Very enjoyable.
2021 Jolie-Laide Pinot Noir Vin Gris - USA, California, Sonoma County (11/24/2023)
These wines never disappoint. Fresh and lively watermelon, strawberry and citrus zest. Bright and refreshing. A 12.5% poolside pounder on Thanksgiving.
2020 Turley Zinfandel Estate - USA, California, Napa Valley (11/24/2023)
Well lookie here, another 2020 Napa Valley red with no smoke taint. St Helena no less. Brambly red fruit and spice. Wonderful texture, medium bodied, lingering spice on the finish. Great pairing with Thanksgiving fare.
The bottle pictured is not the bottle from the note because it was tossed out before I could get a picture so Dava stood in with an alternate.
2019 Carlisle Zinfandel Dry Creek Valley - USA, California, Sonoma County, Dry Creek Valley (11/24/2023)
Black fruit with purple berries trying unsuccessfully to push through. This seemed a bit wound up to me even though I opened it a couple hours prior to pouring. I’ll wait a few more years before trying another.
Sorry for a less than good note. I was hoping for more from this producer in this vintage.
2017 Caves Duplessis Chablis 1er Cru Vaillons - France, Burgundy, Chablis, Chablis 1er Cru (11/23/2023)
The mixed messages I see in the other notes hold true for me. This comes off more forwardly ripe and oaked than one expects from a Chablis. Especially given the vintage. That's not helped by the hard turn towards the finish into a sharp, cutting and almost tart acidity. Its a touch more integrated on night two but also less expressive. Maybe its in an awkward stage. Maybe its just not great.
