Was there any stark difference between the 1st and 2nd DG of Tsai BdN? Or it’s still too early to tell?
Very early, but the 2nd disgorgement seems to have a little more richness and be a little bit more integrated/seamless. I’m looking forward to when all of the cuvees have three years in bottle as a minumum.
Opened Temperance Hill BdB for Christmas Eve. Definitely felt like it needed plenty of air, tight and mineral the first few hours. By the next day it was fantastic – the chalky, salty minerality opening up a core of perfect slightly oxidized apple and lemon, great texture.
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I am making Basque Chicken with Piperade & Vinegar for company tonight and the dish screams for a Goodfellow Pinot Noir. Does anyone have an opinion re the following bottles I have as to which one is most ready to drink (and perhaps decanting advice if any?).
2023 Beloved Acre WRV
2023 Durant
2023 Heritage No. 22 Durant
2023 Heritage No. 23 Whistling Ridge
2023 House Block WRV
2023 Long Acre WRV
2023 Pumphouse Block Termperance Hill
2023 Raven Block Durant Vineyard
2023 West Field Temperance Hill
2023 Whistling Ridge Vineyard
2022 Durant Vineyard
2022 Heritage No. 20 Temperance Hill
2022 Heritage No. 21 WRV
2022 Temperance Hill
2022 Whistling Ridge Vineyard
2021 Heritage No. 17 Durant Vineyard
2021 Heritage No. 18 Temperance Hill
2021 Heritage No. 19 WRV
2019 Heritage No. 15 WRV
2019 Heritage No. 16 Lewman Vineyard
2019 House Block WRV
2019 Oracle Vineyard
2019 Pumphouse Block Temperance Hill
2018 Beloved Acre WRV
2017 Whistling Ridge Vineyard
2016 Whistling Ridge Vineyard
2015 Heritage No. 4.
Thank you!!
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2023 west field was my favorite for current drinking of the 22/23 that i tasted through recently. I found the 17 whistling ridge a little tight, and the 15 whistling ridge much more open, but the 15 heritage also felt closed to me recently.
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Thank you Brian. I chose to open a ‘17 Whistling Ridge and decanted it. Will report back on the results.
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Dang, I forgot to respond earlier, but isn’t that the Heritage Lewman that folks are bonkers for? I haven’t had it, so I can’t offer any personal thoughts. I have a lot of the wines on your list. Maybe I’ve enjoyed the 2015 Heritage within the last 6 months. Open and follow over the course of the day or week and you should be good. I tend to think that all of these wines need some time open. Enjoy…
Had the 2013 Whistling Ridge Pinot on Christmas Eve - was beautifully perfumed with lots of spice & cherry notes and had great acid
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I’d agree with Brian for the newer wines, the 2023 West is drinking well. Most 2023s are still unwinding. The 2017 Whistling Ridge is a good choice and a favorite of mine, let me know how it was (I’m guessing a decanter would open it up a bit quicker).
Last, we’ve been pouring the Heritage No. 4 a bit lately and it really does seem to resonate with most of the people who taste it. Typically it’s open at oeast an hour before drinking.
In a super spot for sure!
Hi Marcus. Thank you for your reply. The ‘17 WRV spent 2.5 hours in the decanter at cellar temp before serving on Night 1. It was still a bit tight and highly structured. On Night 2, it was transformed as the tannins melted away showing sour cherry, bright acidity, forest floor and spice. A lovely wine. I have only 1 more bottle (unless you have more!) and will not open for at least 5 years. The 2017 vintage must have been quite a good year.
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Its the 2018. I had it a couple months ago and it was excellent. Pulled another one to drink this Spring. Just in a really great spot, and I think will continue to prove. The Lewman plots seem to age faster than WR
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Finally opened my first wines with Christmas dinner…
2024 Goodfellow Whisting Ridge ‘Field Blend’ - Mostly Riesling, with Pinot Noir and Blanc… I think this is the first time I’ve had a wine that combined Riesling and Pinot Noir.
Beautiful aromas, Riesling floral as the main component with some nice spicy and grassy notes. Can’t tell if there’s a hint of red fruit or it’s my imagination based on the blend. This is light on its feet, fully dry but not tart, the glycerine in the texture melts away with the swallow. This is quite subtle and seems complete despite only 10.2% alcohol. Rated 91, will rate 93 when I drink my remaining bottles in warmer weather.
2012 Matello ‘Fool’s Journey’ Yamhill-Carlton Deux Vert Vineyard - Diffuse aromas with red fruits and a touch of mostly herbal green. The palate is light to medium in body, a little disjointed, a little hollow in the middle. Although this is 90% Syrah (10% Viognier), I do not get much varietal character. Tasted blind, I would probably guess South of France (not Northern Rhone), perhaps a blend with some Carignan or Mourvedre input. An enjoyable glass but a little muted. Rated 87.5, probably fully mature.
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Hi Jeff,
That’s great to hear and thank you for reporting back!
I love the 2017 vintage. I believe we do very good work every year and have some amazing vineyards to work with so I’m proud of our consistency, but 2017 is very much in my personal wheelhouse. Holding your remaining bottle for 5 more years is, in my opinion, a good investment.
We’re poking through the library a bit this year, and if I cross any of the 2017s I will send email you a note. I know there are a few other people who are looking to backfill some as well.
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Add me to that short list! I opened up a 17 Temperance Pinot that was firing on all cylinders last week. Did not last long with the family. My last bottle sadly
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2015 Fir Crest Heritage - awesome, loads of spices and bitters on the nose, plus rose petal, orange peel, and bright red fruit. Definitely a bit rounder and more fruit driven on the palate than average for GF but really not north of medium bodied. Solid acidity and a persistent finish. Probably better with more air time, but did well enough with an hour and a half in a decanter.
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You, my friend, are always on the short list. It’s the least we can do for all of the hosting you’ve done for us in NYC. I hope your family is well and happy Holidays!
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It’s definitely a robust vintage (hot) but the 2015s have so much going on. And up the hill from Fir Crest is an older forest, exactly what you would expect given the name of the vineyard. Those trees keep the understory of the woods cool and that air rolls down into the vineyard and keeps the site cooler in the mornings and evenings than that area of Yamhill-Carlton might typically be. It keeps the acidity high in a naturally warm site.
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I think you know this, but I’m always open to taking some of your library wines off your hands, Marcus.
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