Wine thread - what are you enjoying?

[killdozzer]

It wasn't a large group, but Brane-Cantenac won hands down with 100% votes. It is also, coincidentally, the only bottle with 13,5% alk. All others were 14,5. That may tell a lot. A very constructive workshop. Many interesting opinions and predictions. Once again amazed with the unexpected softness of young tannin.

 

[TulseLuper]

Looks well-organized and like great fun!

 

[killdozzer]

Looks well-organized and like great fun!

Thanks, man!! I gave it some time. We got some influential media coverage so at least it didn't go unnoticed. What I liked was it wasn't just your run-of-the-mill "sit & taste" workshop. We wanted to speculate about future pricing and the potential to develop over time. These are all still young and the price might go up. Especially if some opinion-maker give any of these wines a high mark. That's how Haut-Bailly (also tasted in this workshop) rose to cca 1800$ a case (12btl case as in LIVEX). We also discussed wine trading and compared prices of some of the famous vintages - 2009. and 2010. A lot of valuable info got shared and these are the tastings that tend to stick with you.

 

[pjug]

How do folks here think about bourbon barrel reds? Seems gimmicky but I like some of them anyway. My wife and I have had many bottles of the Mondavi.

Vint by Robert Mondavi Bourbon Barrel Aged Cabernet Sauvignon

California-"Layered and complex... leaps from the glass with aromas of blackberry cobbler, graham cracker, brown sugar, milk chocolate, coffee and smoke. Palate of blueberry pie, praline, sweet vanilla custard, caramel and mocha is framed by soft chewy tannins and a hint of toasted oak"

www.totalwine.com

 

[killdozzer]

How do folks here think about bourbon barrel reds? Seems gimmicky but I like some of them anyway. My wife and I have had many bottles of the Mondavi.

Vint by Robert Mondavi Bourbon Barrel Aged Cabernet Sauvignon

California-"Layered and complex... leaps from the glass with aromas of blackberry cobbler, graham cracker, brown sugar, milk chocolate, coffee and smoke. Palate of blueberry pie, praline, sweet vanilla custard, caramel and mocha is framed by soft chewy tannins and a hint of toasted oak"

www.totalwine.com

I don't mind them. I just prefer when it is clearly stated. As it is in the one you've linked.

 

[MaxBuck]

How do folks here think about bourbon barrel reds? Seems gimmicky but I like some of them anyway. My wife and I have had many bottles of the Mondavi.

Vint by Robert Mondavi Bourbon Barrel Aged Cabernet Sauvignon

California-"Layered and complex... leaps from the glass with aromas of blackberry cobbler, graham cracker, brown sugar, milk chocolate, coffee and smoke. Palate of blueberry pie, praline, sweet vanilla custard, caramel and mocha is framed by soft chewy tannins and a hint of toasted oak"

www.totalwine.com

I really dislike them, since you asked.

 

[GD Fan]

It wasn't a large group, but Brane-Cantenac won hands down with 100% votes. It is also, coincidentally, the only bottle with 13,5% alk. All others were 14,5. That may tell a lot. A very constructive workshop. Many interesting opinions and predictions. Once again amazed with the unexpected softness of young tannin.

I wish I lived near your shop! Looks fantastic.

Any surprises (positive or negative) from the event? How did your 2010 show?

 

[SIY]

the only bottle with 13,5% alk. All others were 14,5.

I'm impressed by the photography.

The 2000 vintage is when I decided to give up on Bordeaux. The massive alcohol and extraction were too reminiscent of Napa. And the pricing was similarly ridiculous.

 

[PatentLawyer]

How do folks here think about bourbon barrel reds? Seems gimmicky but I like some of them anyway. My wife and I have had many bottles of the Mondavi.

Vint by Robert Mondavi Bourbon Barrel Aged Cabernet Sauvignon

California-"Layered and complex... leaps from the glass with aromas of blackberry cobbler, graham cracker, brown sugar, milk chocolate, coffee and smoke. Palate of blueberry pie, praline, sweet vanilla custard, caramel and mocha is framed by soft chewy tannins and a hint of toasted oak"

www.totalwine.com

Abomination. But I generally dislike any perceptible new oak in wine.

 

[Old Listener]

O Xmas eve, we had a 2016 Husch Gewurtztraminer with shrimp and grits. A most enjoyable wine and a fine meal.

On Christmas Day, we had a 2005 Heitz Cellar Martha's Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon with a Chateaubriand roast. We finished the wine and the meat on New Year's Eve with Yorkshire pudding. Fine wine, fine meals.

Three more bottles of Martha's left in our pantry. We stopped buying it when the price for a 750 mo bottle went over $ 200.

 

[ton312]

I'm a little embarrassed, but I don't really know much about wine. When it's sour, I can just add sugar to it and drink on... I guess I just need to buy good wine and not suffer

 

[killdozzer]

I'm impressed by the photography.

The 2000 vintage is when I decided to give up on Bordeaux. The massive alcohol and extraction were too reminiscent of Napa. And the pricing was similarly ridiculous.

Thanks! My friend is into photography. Honestly, everyone likes it.

I never gave up on them, but I get what you're saying. It's still possible to find some that are good.

 

[killdozzer]

I wish I lived near your shop! Looks fantastic.

Any surprises (positive or negative) from the event? How did your 2010 show?

Thanks! It was a very interesting evening with quite a few surprises. Whole berry fermentation in a right bank Bordeaux... I get Haut-Bailly going over 14%, but Gruaud-Larose, that was a surprise. Duhart Milon was way to ready for a 4YO Bordeaux. It already started with tertiary. As @SIY a different path in style.

Probably the biggest surprise was that the winner; Brane-Cantenac was the cheapest wine. No one knew that. They just voted for the one closest to the classic style Bordeaux. And it was the cheapest one.

2010 kept very well. Commendable, since it's 5th Cru. It's not among the more expensive Chateaus. A classic lefty; CS 55%, M 45%, CF 5%, but it was a very good year, the 2010. Less rain, enough sun. My guess is it's peaking now at 14 years of age, or perhaps just pass it's peak, but still very high. All three aroma categories leaving a lasting impression; the vineyard, the cellar and the aging. And tannins were old enough to be paired with fois gras.

 

[killdozzer]

I'm a little embarrassed, but I don't really know much about wine. When it's sour, I can just add sugar to it and drink on... I guess I just need to buy good wine and not suffer

Don't do that. If your wine needs sugar, it's not worth buying (at any price). If you'd like some free&friendly recommendations, I'd be glad to. Tell me where you live and where you shop for wine?

 

[BeepPeep_61]

From Franciacorta, land of excellent Italian wines, a triptych worthy of tasting ....

 

[TulseLuper]

This happened Sunday. A deep study of Beta Cabernet from 2014-2018. Vare and Montecillo vineyards mostly. In our group of 10, only one was anything like a Cali enthusiast or expert. The wines stunned everyone. Plenty of acid and intensely structured. Some were just over 12% abv, most under 14%. The winemaker (Ketan Mody) bought some rough, unfarmed land on top of Diamond Mountain, cleared it out, and planted vines 15 years ago or so. These bottles are what he produces while waiting for his own vines to reach maturity. Will definitely keep an eye on this project.

 

[PatentLawyer]

View attachment 263415

This happened Sunday. A deep study of Beta Cabernet from 2014-2018. Vare and Montecillo vineyards mostly. In our group of 10, only one was anything like a Cali enthusiast or expert. The wines stunned everyone. Plenty of acid and intensely structured. Some were just over 12% abv, most under 14%. The winemaker (Ketan Mody) bought some rough, unfarmed land on top of Diamond Mountain, cleared it out, and planted vines 15 years ago or so. These bottles are what he produces while waiting for his own vines to reach maturity. Will definitely keep an eye on this project.

You didn't hear it from me, but wait until you taste his wines from Jasud. You ain't seen nothin' yet.

 

[TulseLuper]

You didn't hear it from me, but wait until you taste his wines from Jasud. You ain't seen nothin' yet.

Ha! Love this. Can't wait. Been buying off the list since the 2014 release, but had only opened one bottle until Sunday.

 

[killdozzer]

View attachment 263415

This happened Sunday. A deep study of Beta Cabernet from 2014-2018. Vare and Montecillo vineyards mostly. In our group of 10, only one was anything like a Cali enthusiast or expert. The wines stunned everyone. Plenty of acid and intensely structured. Some were just over 12% abv, most under 14%. The winemaker (Ketan Mody) bought some rough, unfarmed land on top of Diamond Mountain, cleared it out, and planted vines 15 years ago or so. These bottles are what he produces while waiting for his own vines to reach maturity. Will definitely keep an eye on this project.

This is great! Sounds very interesting. How did you taste it? Was the winemaker with you to lead you through vintages or was it, what they call "silent tasting"?

Are these finished wines or are these to be further blended?

 

[TulseLuper]

We got some extra notes and recs from the winemaker but mostly compiled info from folks in the know.

These are finished. The labels might throw you off: they’re just custom packing tape wrapped around the bottle. I like the look.

Braised lamb, rancho gordo beans, and fresh sourdough were all very necessary for such a tasting…