New here, been studying about visionary and cult winemaker Abe Schoener.

[mike_pobega]

Me sure like the Scythia. (My favorite of his to date)
budbreak: 2004 Scholium Project Syrah - Scythia Donati Vineyards" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Had many others. Some have been good to great, but some have been mind-boggling so-so. He sure keeps the beat to own drum, and that’s cool in my book. Keeps it interesting.

Robert Dentice should have TONS more to offer than I.
And Welcome Bill. My advice is to drink more, study less…

[Glenn_L_e_v_i_n_e]

I am definitely a fan having had Abe’s wines in 4-5 vintages. Like others I readily enjoy his white wines but I do like Sav Blanc on PEDs so there is that disclaimer. As stated above his Verdelho wines are really just excellent though the 16+% EtOH on the 08 Naucratis did throw me for a loop. Many don’t like his red wines but the most widely available are PS-based and I feel need real time sideways. 2004 Babylon can still age IMO.

He is a cool guy too but the pricing has gotten stiff considering the economy the past 2 years. Mel and I were just talking last night about whether we’d be able to buy much in the upcoming offer.

Gregg we had the 2006 Guman Vineyard Sylphs and I also thought the wine showed well that night.

[David_K_o_l_i_n]

I’m one of the 53 as well, and I want to echo what Glenn, Mike and Jay say. Abe’s wines are definately unique and, for the most part, very enjoyable, from sensual or intellectual perspective (or both). I think Abe’s Verdehos are terrific at their price points (I didn’t order the 2008s), and the Cena was a blast.

To be a Scholium consumer, you do have to have an interest in wines out of the ordinary, and a tolerance for WTF wines. Abe often sources his fruit from unusual places (I think the Verdejo is from the Sacramento delta), and he certainly a taste for risk. For me, it’s worth it as I enjoy lots of what Abe comes up with. I have had a couple of whites that were too oxidized for my palate and one or two with other defects. And these wines aren’t cheap. But for now, the benefits are worth the costs for me - I’m not sure if this will continue if Abe keeps shipping occasionally defective wines at this price level, but for now, I’m in.

[DavidSawyer]

@Randy Sloan

@DavidSawyer

@BillJohnston

Randy-Nice website! You have a beautiful place, and I would love to know more. Are you available in the trade in NY? Who distributes Match here? I will shoot you an email from your contact info on your website.

Just an interesting side note Bill- I’d always wanted to try these and since I’ve moved from Texas to Louisiana for law school I’ve tasted a few. The interesting thing is that they are readily available at retail here. There are massive retailers in Texas that never carried them yet I can even get them at the Whole Foods down the street here. I’m talking multiple wines too, red and white. Odd.

I’m confused… are we now talking about my wines or the Scholium still? David, I can guarantee that you have never seen a white wine of mine since they don’t exist. Our Cab has limited availability retail in Texas, none in LA.

Bill, I’ll shoot you an email tomorrow AM.

Randy,
I was referring to the Scholium wines.

The only place I’ve ever seen a Match wine in Louisiana is in my Vinotemp and it came from the source

[Jeff_Twersky]

@David K o l i n

I’m one of the 53 as well, and I want to echo what Glenn, Mike and Jay say. Abe’s wines are definitely unique and, for the most part, very enjoyable, from sensual or intellectual perspective (or both). I think Abe’s Verdejos are terrific at their price points (I didn’t order the 2008s), and the Cena was a blast.

To be a Scholium consumer, you do have to have an interest in wines out of the ordinary, and a tolerance for WTF wines. Abe often sources his fruit from unusual places (I think the Verdejo is from the Sacramento delta), and he certainly a taste for risk. For me, it’s worth it as I enjoy lots of what Abe comes up with. I have had a couple of whites that were too oxidized for my palate and one or two with other defects. And these wines aren’t cheap. But for now, the benefits are worth the costs for me - I’m not sure if this will continue if Abe keeps shipping occasionally defective wines at this price level, but for now, I’m in.

+1

[Linda_Baehr]

@Ken Rudman

@Linda Baehr

There was a red at Berserkerfest II recently (help out there form anyone attending?). It has been the only one I’ve tried, and I found it a bit oxidized, but I have heard that is his style. Not a fan of oxidized here.

I think there were two. I brought the '05 Babylon (Petite Syrah). Didn’t think it was oxidized–at least not when I tasted it (but it was also way over extracted and so tannic that it would need another 10 years to come around, IMHO).

Can’t remember what the other one was. Mine was on the same barrel as the Lillian my brother brought, if that helps.

The one I tried was not Petite sirah.

[Vincent_Fritzsche]

I think we’re seeing the mixed reaction to Abe’s wines right here in this thread. I’m with Ken Rudman. I’ve had a few and found them hit or miss. Some people just aren’t going to tolerate oxidation. Others might put up with more wildness than I will. In the end, I LOVE what Abe’s doing even if I don’t love everything I’ve tasted. He’s striving for something unique and using techniques (or not using techniques) to get there. As a winemaker, I admire his guts and his ability to find an audience.

[BillJohnston]

Mike, very helpful, thanks! I must admit that I enjoy BOTH studying and drinking, but haven’t figured out how to make any money drinking yet!

[Ken_Rudman]

@Linda Baehr

@Ken Rudman

@Linda Baehr

There was a red at Berserkerfest II recently (help out there form anyone attending?). It has been the only one I’ve tried, and I found it a bit oxidized, but I have heard that is his style. Not a fan of oxidized here.

I think there were two. I brought the '05 Babylon (Petite Syrah). Didn’t think it was oxidized–at least not when I tasted it (but it was also way over extracted and so tannic that it would need another 10 years to come around, IMHO).

Can’t remember what the other one was. Mine was on the same barrel as the Lillian my brother brought, if that helps.

The one I tried was not Petite sirah.

I think it may have been a Scheria (syrah), but by the time I got to it, the bottle was empty. It probably would have been cool to have done a census of the bottles in attendance…

[Ken_Rudman]

@Vincent Fritzsche

I think we’re seeing the mixed reaction to Abe’s wines right here in this thread. I’m with Ken Rudman. I’ve had a few and found them hit or miss. Some people just aren’t going to tolerate oxidation. Others might put up with more wildness than I will. In the end, I LOVE what Abe’s doing even if I don’t love everything I’ve tasted. He’s striving for something unique and using techniques (or not using techniques) to get there. As a winemaker, I admire his guts and his ability to find an audience.

And to be clear, on balance I have liked more than I have disliked. My main challenge at this point is with the pricing. I just can’t afford to try as many as I’d like.

[Nate_Simon]

@Glenn L e v i n e

Mel and I were just talking last night about whether we’d be able to buy much in the upcoming offer.

Anyone have an idea exactly when the “upcoming offer” will happen? Probably a bit late for a Spring release at this point?