Wine thread - what are you enjoying?

[USER]

You sound sensitive to these wine faults Mr user. Many tasters aren’t as critical. Winemakers as you noted, sometimes use a small percentage of oxidation or a faulted barrel to create “complexity” or to add to it. To design a simple wine into something more complex. IMO, the natty wine crowd seems to really dig these flaws as something interesting. I can live without any mousiness or bubblegum in my glass, thanks anyway.

It's always interesting to learn what you are sensitive to. Everyone's palate and taste receptors are different so of course everyone in this thread is going to have different sensitivities. I do think I am more sensitive to reduction compared to something like VA, which my wife is much more sensitive to. (And this doesn't mean I hate it.) I am also less sensitive to brett. Indeed I know when something akin to matchstick is a reductive effect that is intentional or desired. I understand that things like brett and VA in 90s and early 2000s Beaujolais was more out of control than people cared to admit (and indeed in most wine, which has been over-romanticized) and how wine like Pegau's Chatenueuf du Pape are today differentiated and desired by and because of them. Hell, I'd like some 90s Musar right now. So I don't write without a little knowledge and I am very open to trying things out and certainly trying to learn how to approach a wine in its terms--indeed that is by far the best part of drinking wine for me. There has never been a better time to explore so many interesting wines at very good prices! Indeed I have found my limits when it comes to natural wine (needs to be made by a big pocket winery like Catena, lol! Try the 2023 Catena la Marchigiana Criolla Chica rose--delicious!) But in this case there was no doubt that the reduction went wrong. (And it should be understood that we all know there is such thing as bottle variation.) The 2023s we had are lower end offerings so there is no true complexity as a goal and I've had other vintages to compare them to. There's no reputation at stake and you guys seem a touch too defensive about this. But there is no doubt those recent bottles we had just plain sucked, lol.

 

[CtheArgie]

Well, yeah. You did not try my bottles. As far as expansion goes, a simple google search would show you that it was well-covered by the press. They expanded their keg program that year and set-up for a massive expansion of their boxed wine program for release in 2024. While small in production it was a hit in 2022 and 2023 so they leaned into it more. One of those boxed wines is the Paletin and it was a big deal as it was a $95 boxed wine hit. As far as what I mentioned regarding QC, that is what I've heard personally. Not sure if person who mentioned this me talked to you as well. I'm guessing not. I wasn't there so I can't tell you from first hand experience but I am not terribly surprised that particular vintage of that wine is not very good.

It would be great if your commentary was more productive.

Edit: And I am not hating on Tablas Creek. In fact, my first post on this thread mentions me enjoying the 2022 Palatin!

Your condescending pomposity reminds me of the audio subjectivists. Clearly, you have "opinions" and you are not shy to share them loudly.

I have very little patience for wine snobs like you. I regret having made any comments.

 

[USER]

Your condescending pomposity reminds me of the audio subjectivists. Clearly, you have "opinions" and you are not shy to share them loudly.

I have very little patience for wine snobs like you. I regret having made any comments.

ok buddy.

 

[Eric Natural]

meanwhile - this last nite with friends & spicy grilled pork tenderloin, kalamata sourdough & green salad

this one was a wine club release I think 2020 - knockout spiciness on the nose, medium body, 66 layers of umami & napa earth with black fruits underneath
Cheers

 

[GD Fan]

meanwhile - this last nite with friends & spicy grilled pork tenderloin, kalamata sourdough & green salad
View attachment 514718
this one was a wine club release I think 2020 - knockout spiciness on the nose, medium body, 66 layers of umami & napa earth with black fruits underneath
Cheers

Oh man, I haven't had that in years. How was the 2016 showing?

We once had a 1968 Mondavi with 39 years of age on it. It was past its prime but still quite pleasant, had aged well.

P.S. Thanks for getting us back on topic. Hopefully it holds.

 

[CapMan]

Very unusual to find Albarino grown anywhere in England, but this was actual pretty nice - a bit like having a really good margarita!

 

[Thomas_A]

Tonight:

 

[Thomas_A]

The Algarve strong but winner.

 

[Eric Natural]

Yum !
CdPape ages so beautifully. I wonder if your French reds were ready to drink . . .

 

[GD Fan]

Not a benchmark vintage, but decent nonetheless.

 

[Eric Natural]

Really interesting bottle with burger night last night. It's not labeled as Crianza for some reason but still showing a subtle oak treatment tempered by 4 years in the bottle. Shy nose of red fruits, rose hips - medium-body with definite Garnacha flavors of cherry, herb and a little leather - great minerality and very nice acids that somms these days I think call "freshness". For $18. a steal.
Cheers

 

[ahofer]

I recently discovered a somewhat new website that offers wines from Hungary. Previously, the only Hungarian wines you’d find here were dessert wines (Tokaij). When I was in Budapest I really liked the Cabernet Franc from Villany common in restaurants. I bought a case through Taste Hungary.

But now…the US store is offline for some reason. I’m having trouble finding another outlet that isn’t pushing the usual stuff.

 

[TulseLuper]

I recently discovered a somewhat new website that offers wines from Hungary. Previously, the only Hungarian wines you’d find here were dessert wines (Tokaij). When I was in Budapest I really liked the Cabernet Franc from Villany common in restaurants. I bought a case through Taste Hungary.

But now…the US store is offline for some reason. I’m having trouble finding another outlet that isn’t pushing the usual stuff.

Good dry Hungarian wine in the US is not easy to find. They're sold out now but Leon & Sons in NY had Bencze Birtok (try the Keknyelu and Harslevelu). Those are great. Maybe some Attila Homonna kicking around the city.