Hello Berserkers! Thank you for participating this years Virtual Tasting Series. With inflation hitting everyone’s pocketbook it’s more important than ever to help those in need.
Theme: This week’s theme is, wines you discovered due to your membership at Wineberserkers.
I’d estimate that over half my cellar inventory is due to leads from fellow Berserkers. How about you? This is a broad theme, do with it what you wish.
Charity:Dogma Animal Rescue - Dogma is a grass roots group of individuals helping the most needy throughout the California North Coast. “ Dogma Animal Rescue is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, volunteer based organization serving Sonoma, Napa, and Marin Counties. We are dedicated to saving homeless and abandoned dogs from overcrowded animal control facilities throughout the State of California. We especially focus on pregnant dogs that are in danger of abuse, neglect, or euthanasia. Dogma Animal Rescue places dogs into temporary foster homes where they are socialized, spayed/neutered, vaccinated, and treated for any medical or behavioral conditions limiting their adoptability. We actively search for permanent homes for foster dogs by producing and hosting mobile adoption events and other special events that provide exposure to potential adopters. ”
This was surprising to me at first glance, Brian, so I did a quick scan of my own holdings. The same as you, a little more than half my bottles have been WB-influenced purchases!
Great theme. My wine “trying” has been influenced a lot by notes and comments on WB posts. I have “discovered” a lot of wine that we enjoy this way . . .
I opened a Sandler 2018 Cortada Alta Vineyard Pinot Noir today, which is a pretty good example of the Berserker influence. Dark and spicy fruit and a bit earthy, but also with a hard to describe ‘vitality’ that makes for easy and pleasurable drinking. I enjoyed a glass at lunch with a sandwich of thinly sliced leftover tenderloin with mayo and another glass with dinner of eggs mixed with diced and fried cured pork belly. Good eating and good wine drinking. Thanks Berserkers.
I went looking for a wine from Brian Harrington because to me that guy epitomizes what it means to be a wine berserker. I met him at falltacular and didn’t know who he was. We tasted through a few things together and I thought “wow, this guy knows a lot about wine”.
But I can’t find any Harrington!
Hurry, grab a Sandler! The story is the same with Ed. We met at Falltacular and have beens friends ever since.
BTW my cellar is probably 85% influenced by Wineberserkers.
I presume Berserker Day purchases qualify? It was the only way I was buying this…
2016 Ridge Merlot Torre Ranch Monte Bello - USA, California, Santa Cruz Mountains (12/13/2023)
2020 Berserker Day purchase, just before the world went to hell in a hand basket, and purchased on the same day I was told I needed colon cancer surgery. So to say I have an uneasy relationship with this wine is a bit of an understatement.
Anyway, it’s still really young, with notable oak married to deep, dark red fruit. What’s interesting is that it doesn’t have a lot of tannin. The acid is good, so the structural balance is on point, but I expected more grip. Maybe only a few more years until this is in a more mature place.
My 15-year old rescue Brownie, affectionately known as “Principessa Brunella di Montalcino,” is admiring the glorious color of Larmandier Bernier Rosé de saignée. If you believe dogs are color blind, please allow me some artistic and imaginative leeway. I discovered Larmandier Bernier rosé champagnes at two events hosted/attended by WBers.
Anyway, I have found that this rosé varies quite a bit. For me, it has always had some unusual spice characteristics, but sometimes it can tend sour& bitter. I opened this yesterday expecting the spice note to put me in holiday mood. Initially, the nose was very yeasty and had a hint of sour fruit, but it blew off in about an hour. The nose is now fruit-forward, a bit like pomegranate, cranberry, cinnamon and a hint of sweat (weird, but it’s not objectionable). On the palate, more pomegranate, unsweetened cranberry, some clove, and something earthy like cumin (???). It’s tart, with a slight cider finish. The finish made me glad to have opened this bottle now because I don’t like cider-ish champagne and it would likely have continued to develop. I prefer the other LB offerings, but this hit the “fun” spot yesterday and today. All in all, an unusual Champagne, and not one that I would ever recommend to the Moët crowd .
Grapes from 2018, disgorged 2020. I believe the blend is typically something along the lines of 90%PN and 10%PG, but this may be 100%PN
Taz is an English Pointer whom we rescued from a life of hunting blinds and shotgun blasts in Alabama to be a spoiled little California brat. He’s 6-1/2 now and enjoys chasing squirrels, barking at goats, coyote’s, raccoons, mail carriers, Donkeys and playing with his step-sister Kona. Otherwise he can be found with a toy or a treat in his mouth.
2018 Sandlands Grenache - USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Clara County (12/14/2023)
Bright ruby color, nose of cranberry and nutmeg but the palate explodes with juicy sweet cherry and strawberry, quite expansive and gulpable. Tannins could soften a bit but I’m being picky now. This is delicious. We drained the bottle in no time flat.
Bump…
I’m donating whether you all post notes or not but it sure would be nice to see an upswing this weekend. I mean it’s not like I tied anyone’s hands with the theme.
I think @brig_campbell posted a note on this a few days ago- but I can’t find it. Whether he did or not, the fact that I thought he did caused me to pick up a couple of bottles at TJs yesterday. So that should qualify it as a Berserker find - even if I dreamed it up!
Trader Joe’s Grand Reserve Pinot noir San Luis Obispo Coast 2022, Lot 112
Sweet red fruits, somewhat simple but recognizable as pinot. A bit of acid and some mild tannins. Worth the $13 price tag.
Most certainly influenced by the WB community, this is my first time with a Levet. 2015 Les Journaries. It’s quite young but surprisingly open after about an hour. Really juicy, starts red fruited and leans a little darker after the air. Wonderfully balanced and earthy, wild. Pairs really well with the experimental/space bass that’s our music for the night.
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