Wine impressions 5-8-21
2017 Louis Michel, Sechets - more about the structure than fruit right now, good concentration and plenty of structure; bodes well for the future.
2020 Scribe, Sylvaner - bright, crisp, medium bodied and ready now. Good.
2011 Peter Michael, Chardonnay Belle Cote - way too oaky for me. Those who do not mind oak, loved it.
2009 Schrader, Cabernet Sauvignon RBS - To Kalon Vineyard fruit; balanced, creamy, rich and pretty good but it’s Cab. which is just not my thing.
2012 Saxum, Broken Stones - I don’t like Saxum wines on release but after 9-10 years they seem to level up. This was big but complex, meaty and earthy at the same time, and delicious. But the 15.6% abv damn near killed me the next day.
A second bottle opened at dinner several nights later was not near as impressive.
2018 Barbacan, Rosso di Valtellina - there is great wine and then there is the wine you most enjoy drinking. This is the latter; svelte, fresh fruit flavors, lovely nuance and spot on Nebbiolo in every way - no waiting. I’ll be delighted to drink your ‘great’ wine but this is what I will buy.
2014 Louis Michel, Chablis Vaudesir - best guess, at least 2-3 years from peak; excellent now but still carries that slight lactic note of the unevolved.
2017 Sandlands, Mataro - grumpy at first but opened quickly; leaning toward Bandol and far removed from the Dirty & Rowdy style. Not lost in the shuffle by any means but I often like a bit more clear-cut character. However, truly excellent with steak frites.
2012 Louis Michel, Chablis Grenoiulles - of a piece, fully developed, complete and beautifully shaped wine; got better as the evening progressed. Better than my description - memorable!
2017 Chalone Vineyard, Pinot Noir - not many CA pinots make me want to buy CA Pinot - this does. Finesse, structure, intensity, a certain lilt; really good - really!
2018 Rochioli, Pinot Noir River Block - distinctly Rochioli; rich, round and the flavors are saturated. No other Pinot producer I know gets the same concentration that this one does. Lacking the nuance of the Chalone but a big-beautiful-mouthful of wine.
2011 Vincent, Pinot Noir Bjornson Vineyard - in what is often considered a difficult vintage, this is the exception. Opened alongside cheese soufflé; so subtle, complex and light on its feet it felt like the wine was dancing. The pairing was greater than the sum of its parts; the overall experience, sublime. Great wine, in every sense of the word. Bravo!
Best, jim