Wine Berserkers - international wine social media, online community, and discussion

Markus S

I'd say everything is pretty much the same: boring, I know. One different thing is that I've become less tolerant of wine that doesn't do anything for me, it's a waste of the glass made to hold the wine, and this will be used for cooking, pronto!

Markus S

67-68 seems to make the most sense if you already have a cellarful of the stuff.

Markus S

It gets complicated for a few reasons. I buy less in average or poor years and more in great years. The aging curves aren’t uniform from year to year or wine to wine. My consumption isn’t that steady. I may blow hot or cold on a region or on drinking wine entirely for a stretch of time, though that...

Markus S

I'm wondering about the ageability of this as well. Your note makes it seem too youthful. Think everyone was gifted 1 bottle.

Markus S

The earlier thread asking "When do we stop buying wines?" made me think of an ancillary question: When do we stop buying in terms of our 'drink-through' rate? For instance, if you have 6 years of wine in your cellar based upon your average consumption, when would you begin to stop buying? I realize ...

Markus S

Robert M yers wrote: ↑
July 8th, 2020, 3:13 pm
... But we know that’s not what it’s all about.

It never is.

Markus S

... it’s hard to imagine enough fake 90 Musar getting circulated to be worth risking jail and all. Laws and jurisdictions being what they are, I seriously doubt many counterfeiters would go to jail, if that were the case 50% of Amazon sellers wouldn't be on that platform. Also, a small profit to us...

Markus S

ah, who knows.

Is this being sponsored by Constellation Brands?

Markus S

[*] 1997 L'Ecosse Cabernet Franc Cuvée hommage de Jeanne D'Arc - USA, California, Napa Valley (6.6.2020) 15,7% alcohol. Tasted blind. ... A very lovely, nuanced and seriously structured Cabernet Franc with tons of fruit and power. Although the wine is quite big and heavy in style with lots of ripen...

Markus S

Marcu$ Stanley wrote: ↑
July 7th, 2020, 12:11 pm
Not to get morbid, but people may be sleeping on the wine price impact of the baby boomers selling all their accumulated wine that they can't drink...strikes me it may be considerable over the next 10-20 years.

Could be. OTH, could be one huge Irish wake!

Markus S

Neal.Mollen wrote: ↑
July 6th, 2020, 12:48 pm

Anton D wrote: ↑
July 6th, 2020, 12:14 pm
I am looking forward to Francois' tasting notes.
He hasn't opened his case

Still too young.

Markus S

Glenn P wrote: ↑
July 5th, 2020, 6:51 pm
... It was refilled with a similar vintage from their cellar....

A "similar" or the "same"? It makes a difference, because if filled with a "similar" wine, could be classified as a NV if not from the same year.

Markus S

Not quite 'elder statesman' yet, but old enough to realize you can't drink it in the grave. Wife wants to dispose of bottles now so not much 'legacy' to leave. And plan on losing much of your sense of taste and smell by the time you reach your 80's and...what's the point?

Markus S

Does the Pagliaro really see all that much new oak? I didn't think there was that much new oak at Bea, but I could certainly be wrong. Sagrantino has such tannin I could see how it would be mistaken for new oak, and an 2011 is relatively young ( think the current release).

Markus S

2017 Cenatiempo Biancolella Ischia Bianco Kalimera. Unusually dark gold color, solid glow, its dullness does not diminish presence in the glass. While it achieves richness in the nose, punctured by a pervasive smokiness and dusty minerality, apricot paste, spiced orange peel, blanched nuts with som...

Markus S

Last tried about 2 years ago, when still quite open. No idea about right now but I am not opening.

Markus S

Assorted notes from the past several months or so. Domaine Comte Abbatucci, Vin de France, 'Cuvee Collection, Diplonate d'Empire, Il Cavaliere', 2011 This is typically an expensive wine that I got on a special sale and something I never would have bought otherwise. 14% Glistening light gold color wi...

Markus S

Still trying to figure out the sangio chameleon. I swear, this grape has led me down divergent paths that have reached to no conclusions, or ones different from what they were. Frustrating grape! I haven't had (any) of the top priced wines, so have no idea how they perform, but have had good ones fr...

Markus S

Dan Kravitz wrote: ↑
July 2nd, 2020, 5:50 pm
Mitch,

I'm an idiot, or at least currently mostly brain dead.

Neither of the above!?!

Lava Vine Petite Sirah 7-2-20.jpg

Dan Kravitz

Hmmm, neither ROCK nor CAP!

Markus S

...My personal op is that it is mostly a matter of clones. Get the right ones and a Napa pet has a decent chance of being a wine that evolves a bit with age. 96.3% of the pet vineyards just don't have the better clones. They are the dullards of the wine world. ... Sooo do you know which wineries us...

Markus S

Two-three thousand dollars for what was highlighted??
Easy pass.

Markus S

A1ex H wrote: ↑
July 1st, 2020, 1:37 pm
1986 Pichon Lalande

Have the strict tannins started to melt yet? Last time I had this I had doubts about it ever coming around.

Markus S

wspohn wrote: ↑
July 1st, 2020, 6:53 pm
I have never had:

.....

A reviewed 100 point wine that I would have given 100 points to.

That says a lot right there.

Markus S

Well better late recognition than never. Funny, but the one and only time I met him was at a Burgundy tasting he was heading at the time his book of that subject came out.

Markus S

Was thinking KWV when I saw this, but wrong continent!

Markus S

we won’t be able to taste for 2 - 3 years and then we have to store carefully for 10-30 or more for it to become what we like. Huh? What’s stopping you from popping a cork when you get a bottle? I do not get your logic. Nothing to stop anyone, but it seems such a waste when these are wines made for...

Markus S

Never have I ever...had a birthyear wine. [head-bang.gif] What year, Markus? Never have I ever...had a birthyear wine. [head-bang.gif] What year? I am a 1951, a HORRIBLE year, but I have managed to get one lot of Rivesaltas and one lot of Port at auction. Let's just say an excellent year from the 6...

Markus S

.... The first thing I tell them is that they'll have to take a huge pay cut, probably to significantly less than half of what they make, and that if they're ever able to get back up to the type of salary they have at their current job, which is unlikely, it will take quite a few years. That dissua...

Markus S

Never have I ever...had a birthyear wine.

Markus S

I can say it has been a lot of money that could have been spent elsewhere on healthier, more productive things, but there is that mixing of food-geography-and pleasure that Tomas has pointed out.

Markus S

Mike C. wrote: ↑
June 24th, 2020, 3:56 pm
...Would not be surprised (though am very much hoping not) if the response to Europe banning travel from the US is an increase in tariffs.

Why would a public health strategy cause tariff? We cannot even take care of our own in this country.

Markus S

Thanks for the notes. All of the Caves São João wines have aged and are aging really well, particularly the whites from their Frei João series. The 1980s ones are really singing today, and all of these wines are outstanding value for their quality. It's been a while since I've had any of the Frei J...

Markus S

Thought the game was "Never have I ever"?

Markus S

Marshall Manning wrote: ↑
June 24th, 2020, 9:29 am

Adam Frisch wrote: ↑
June 23rd, 2020, 10:35 pm
French wines are a huge black spot for me and seem daunting to understand or even master. But Edging towards the precipice slowly...
This from a guy that makes Flame Tokay and Mission ? Give yourself some credit, Adam!

Perhaps it's his humble-brag?

Markus S

Caves São João, Bairrada, Poço do Lobo 1995, branco This was current release when I bought it 2-3 years ago. 100% Arinto. 12% alcohol. Slightly tarnished brassy gold color. Waxy pear and lemon, a slightly oxidized taste. There is almost a green savory quality - like cooked fiddleheads - on the fini...

Markus S

R M Kriete wrote: ↑
June 23rd, 2020, 10:35 am
Varietal is the spice of life?

Dit-oh.

Markus S

Terroir is overrated.

Markus S

Justin S wrote: ↑
June 22nd, 2020, 4:02 pm
Totally agree...I absolutely love this wine. I paid $23.

Doesn't sound expensive to me.

Markus S

[*] 2013 Proprietà Sperino Uvaggio - Italy, Piedmont, Northern Piedmont, Coste della Sesia (6/14/2020) I always enjoy this wine and would make it a yearly purchase if I could find it every year. Even off years are like you described, perhaps not deep, but a great food wine. Thanks for your comments.

Markus S

Le Corton must be well above 300m (maybe close to 400m at the top)? Also a few Savigny vineyards are higher up slope Still not much of a difference in the grand scheme of things. You're basically talking about an eroded plateau of low(er) elevation hills, rather akin to the Poconos or hilly NE Penn...

Markus S

John Davis wrote: ↑
June 22nd, 2020, 8:35 am
...To me, it is just like any other product-...

So we need to delete and ignore all those threads about how "wine is art"??

Markus S

Andrew M wrote: ↑
June 22nd, 2020, 10:23 am
.... free of tax or shipping and at zero premium.

How is this possible? Death and taxes (and shipping) are about the only certainties of life.

Markus S

I’m reminded of Jeremiah 17:9- The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? Each and everyone of you who has boycotted anything is rightfully the subject of the same if your deeds and thoughts were exposed. You are no better than the person or organization you cho...

Markus S

But the altitude has to be capped at some point since Burgundy consists of hills, not mountains, so this seems a diminishing prospect at some point?

Markus S

Robert Dentice wrote: ↑
June 19th, 2020, 8:19 am
...when a wine is mentioned on daily candy....

I don't eat candy, I drink wine.

Markus S

IMHO the string of recent good vintages, climate change and technological improvements probably mean there is more good+ quality white rhone available than in the past. Personally, I really like (some) white rhones but that is based on a number of favourites rather than any conscious effort to tast...

Markus S

I had a 2014 Chave HB last night. Couldn't figure out if it was corked or just supposed to be like that. Muted nose, very little fruit and a chemically flavor that was extremely unpalatable. At 5/6 years of age, that really sounds like it is in a shut-down period, which can begin soon after the 3rd...

Markus S

Mel Knox wrote: ↑
June 20th, 2020, 5:49 pm
I see that PG and E ...Hmm..wish i could boycott them.

Fate is in your hands: you can always move.

Markus S

What is a 'humane mousetrap'?
They all do the deed, but the one's that snap their neck are the quickest.

Markus S

Be thankful you have in-laws to share with. Mine don't drink.

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