Wine impressions 12-31-24

WINE TALK
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Wine impressions 12-31-24

2022 Fritzsche, Cabernet Sauvignon Bengier Vnyd. - much more CA/Napa in style than the Family Reunion version and quite closed. A touch of oak, concentrated, singular and giving little at the moment. It’s 12.5 abv, made by Vincent and gives every indication that it will develop with sufficient time; IMO no less than 5 years. I have faith.

2023 Extradimensional, Mourvèdre Evangelho - way too young but still delicious and soulful. Needs time.

2022 Louis Michel, Chablis Montee de Tonnerre - also, way too young with an unformed mid-palate and a looseness that gives little current indication of structure. Needs time.

2019 Louis Michel, Chablis Vaudesir - young but already showing the feminine side of grand cru. Amazing wine even now.

2019 Louis Michel, Chablis Forets - as always, absolutely wonderful.

2022 Dominique Gruhier, Bourgogne Epineuil - excellent, precise, giving, and supple. I bought a lot of this.

2022 Thymiopoulos, Xinomavro Young Vines - translucent red wine with beautiful fruit, light weight and just enough grip. ‘Bought a lot of this, too.

2022 Gilbert Picq, Chablis - in an early drinking window and showing as the quintessential village wine. Lovely.

2021 Dom. Rolet, Trousseau Arbois - this bottle seemed richer than the last but still a nice rendition of the grape and AOC.

2012 Cowan Cellars, Ribolla Gialla - skin-fermented, 11.8 abv, brass color and an integrated, spicy, tangerine zest delivery with good grip. It just keeps getting better with the years.

2019 Benoit Cantin, Irancy - a well-executed, slightly firm version of the AOC that holds future promise but tastes good now.

2021 Dehlinger, Pinot Noir Altamont - a slightly volatile, fumey, ultra-polished, monolithic, alcoholic, confected beverage without any redeeming attributes. Just awful.

2020 CVNE, Rioja Crianza - charming, complex, balanced and wholly comfortable wine - like a well-traveled old friend who tells great stories that don’t use or need one extra word. Such a pleasure.

N/V Bollinger, Champagne Special Cuvée - whatever the blend here there is certainly some aged wine amongst it; more complex than expected and quite good.

2023 Pepiere, Muscadet Briords VV - citrus, sea shell, iodine, Granny Smith with a hint of black pepper; lightweight, intense and layered in the mouth, and endless length. A wine that will live longer than you will, tastes fantastic now and its structure is all but hidden. Wonderful.
12% abv, about $26.

2022 Inama, Soave Foscarino - more savory/salty than fruity, good depth and texture, some complexity and length. Shows every sign of developing further but tastes great now. As accompaniment to pasta with caramelized onions and black olives, perfect.

Best, Jim

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Thanks for taking one for the team with the WineCo Evangelho.

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I noticed Whole Foods recently had the Cune Crianza on sale for about $12. Didn’t get it but thought to myself that it’s great to see that a solid wine can still be had under $15. I guess it’s a combination of various factors that makes that possible but maybe part of it is that Rioja just isn’t that trendy. It would be easy to spend twice that price and not get a more enjoyable wine.

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Too bad about the Dehlinger…….I drank a lot of them years ago starting around the mid-90’s, and I really enjoyed them……but the last vintage I think I drank was probably around 2010……

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It was a name to rely on for a long time.
I don’t taste them often now days and this bottle won’t motivate me to do so.

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I used to love Dehlinger Pinot back in the day. Sad to see what they’ve morphed into with new generation at helm …

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Back in the early-‘90’s, they did a meritage type wine that was very cheap (like $8 or thereabouts). My father-in-law bought several cases when we visited their tasting room but never got around to drinking many.
When he passed (2019), we opened several that were simply wonderful (others were past prime - none were stored well). The quality of the good ones spoke volumes about their vineyard and winery practices then.
But, I suppose this is not an unfamiliar progression . . .

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The perennial :goat:. Thanks, as always, for the great impressions, Jim!

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