Wine is good... but so is tequila!

2004 Sotor North Yamhill Pinot Noir was pretty - turned earth notes with balanced alcohol... pretty, long finish. Went great with Duck Confit. The 2007 Cederberg Bukettraube, South Africa was a really cool wine... some residual sugar to it, with a beautiful honeysuckle, apple skin and peach nose - almost a blend of Riesling and Chenin Blanc... long finish with just a hint of spice. The Gran Patron Platinum Tequila was served at just the right temperature, neat... so beautiful... a wonderful sip of smoke, lime, and intense florality. Beautiful...

Variety is the spice of life...

Sitting here, in my living room, watching the end of the Northern Trust Open on TV, enjoying a bottle of Billecart-Salmon Brut NV (really nice stuff here, GDA, light toast and brioche, though a touch higher dosage(?) than I usually like) The 2006 Pahlmeyer Chardonnay is classic... mineral, leesy, buttered popcorn, toasted almonds, and loads of ripe apples. The 1999 Bollinger Grand Année is delicious... simply outstanding stuff. Vanilla, toasted hazelnuts, Golden Delecious Apples, ginger and exotic spices with citrus and a rich, mineral finish. A fabulous Champagne with years ahead of it. The 1993 Ampeau Volnay-Santenots was sampled from some 14 bottles, with severe variation between all of them. At worst, corked (quite a few), at best, a beautiful earth and barnyard cherry compote. Good, but ready to go. The 1998 Chateau Petite-Village was simply beautiful - tasted 16 bottles, with very little variation (2 corked). A very elegant Pomerol from this very under-appreciated Right-bank vintage. Cedar, dark chocolate, burnt cocoa powder, blackberry, wild red currant and black cherry. A nice, elegant finish. The 1989 Chateau Petite-Village was tasted from 6 magnums (1 corked) and 4 750ml bottles. There was some variation between the two, but not appreciable. Some brett on these, but the beautiful wet underbrush and black and red mixed berry fruit pushed it aside fairly quickly. Perfectly mature - these are not going to get any better, but the structure is still there to maintain for quite a while. The 1977 Dows Port en Magnum was simply beautiful... almonds, candied plums, cedar and molassas... a lovely, very long finish... still a baby, but nice to drink now! A lovely evening...

Had a Tiger beer this afternoon and boy was it good... lovely, light amber... had it in a spot I never would have thought would have had something like this. Great stuff.

Brilliance...

Sorry for the long delay in posts... last night had a marvelous selection of wines from brothers Jean & Pierre Trimbach. When I hear the name "Trimbach", my ears perk up, and I start salivating... the wines are sheer brilliance. The 2006 Pinot Blanc is refreshing, floral, with a bit of weight and moderately intense mineral notes. The 2001 Cuvee Frederic Emile Riesling is perfection... incredible minerality - sharp and intense, with a classic bone-dry Riesling profile - petrol, flowers, unripe stone fruit, citrus (hello, lime!) and ginger spice. I had this wine a few months ago and it was almost too intense, but it has now just begun to open. Bravo... this is what Riesling is all about. Clos Ste Hune good? Maybe not, but at 1/3 the price, an incredible value. Though enjoyable now, this really needs at least another 2-5 years to come around. The 2001 Pinot Gris Reserve Personelle was outstanding, but not stunning like the CFE. A bit riper with more nectarine, apricot and Asian spice - intense mineral notes as well, and bone dry. Great wine. The 2001 Cuvee des Seigneurs de Ribeaupierre Gewurztraminer is pure... that's the only way I can describe it. Ripe? Yes... but unlike so many others, this is very dry and not overdone. Beautiful lychee, stone and citrus with exotic spices oozing from the glass. A beauty and one of the great dry Gewurz in the world. The 2002 Vendange Tardive Gewurztraminer was much more floral, explosive and stony than the CSR and was a great way to end the meal - a lychee bomb! Awesome stuff... I had a bottle of 2000 Hors Choix (SGN) Gewurz that I kept open for almost a month once... amazing wines, and great to see Jean again...

Gruner...

2007 Domäne Wachau (yes, it's spelled that way on the label) Gruner Veltliner Terrassen Federspiel, Wachau, Austria... nice on day one, better and revealed more classic GV style on day two... in screwcap. Pale straw to watery rim, m intensity, m+ viscosity, pear skin, apple rind and peach blossom with honeysuckle, white pepper and basil. Well balanced, clean finish. Not incredible, not too bad...

Continued thoughts on pricing...

I recently wrote a response to a question from a friend and vineyard owner in Oregon as to what kinds of pricing pressures I was seeing in Florida in general... I thought about posting it on here, but in the end felt it was far too one sided and opinionated (which is ok, but it's riddled with specific examples I'd rather not share in such a public fashion). I would love to hear someone else's thoughts on this topic... and would be happy to share my comments by e-mail.

Better to be buying than selling...

Just got an offer from a well-known (and well respected) retailer - they deliver the goods. While it still has a long way to go, prices are coming back - and though they are still too high - it is one of those buying opportunities to get in on some great wines at better pricing... just look around a little bit - someone else might have it cheaper!

New Year, New Direction...

So, as I write my first entry of 2009... I shoudl tell you a little of what I've been up to. On December 3rd, I had my last day at a fabulous and wonderful organization - one that I feel honored and humbled to have worked for. I enjoyed my time, and from what you can see from this blog - the tremendous wines that I tried in such quantites I can not ever expect to taste them in the same way again. I miss my friends, collegues, and others, but it was time to move on... So, we moved from West Palm Beach to Orlando (I still can't even THINK about moving someplace cold!) But, as life moves on, so do our values and views on the world - and on what's most important - and what will pose new - and interesting - challenges. So... I become a teacher. Somthing that combines my love and passion for all things drinkable with the joy and pride of helping to educate others and hopefully make an impact on their careers in this fabulous business that is wine (and beer, and spirits (especially Tequila!), and other concoctions).

So... it is with this first post... that we go towards a topic that has been covered numerous times - BEER! Drank an Aventinus (Weizenbock) this evening... so beautiful with it's wonderful sweet fruit and intense hoppiness... at 8.9% alcohol, not a beast, but not rediculous either. Very wonderful stuff... Also, as usual... Anchor Steam... I just love the stuff.

Interesting wines from the week include the 2004 Alvaro Palacios "Les Terrasas" which was spectacular - amazing depth and terroir-driven earth and spice. Much more "together" than the 2005, which was tasted side by side. For the money - an amazing wine and really a "baby L'Ermita". Capable of 10+ years and I'll probably stick a few away. The 2005 Joseph Drouhin Volnay (village) was spectacular - still showing an awful lot of wood characteristic right now - I hope the fruit comes through - but the structure is there. The 2006 Joseph Drouhin Clos des Mouche (Rouge) is beautiful - more acid and riper fruit, the wine is young, but pretty... The 2004 Chateau Plince (Pomerol) was chocolate, plums, and cedary anise. Great for the $$, and a testament to the quality that was blessed upon Bordeaux in this so-called "off" vintage... Have a bottle of 2004 Miguel Torres "Mas La Plana" Cabernet Sauvignon to open soon as well... enjoy, and I hope to be writing more soon!

Rest of the Top 10...

I guess I better finish the top 10 of 2008 before the end of 2008, huh?

And we start with... a tie (so no number 8)

#7 - 1987 Dominus/ 1987 Robert Mondavi Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon - had these wines within month of each other and they were both blockbusters - still both youthful and bright, with a purity of fruit found only in these special vintages from California... wish wines were still made this way (though both of these producers make wine more like this now than almost anyone else out there).

#6 - 1955 Chateau Haut-Brion - what else can I say about this extraordinary wine? I am more than privledged to have tried this wine so many times, and I shall remember each bottle if I should never get to try it again.

#5 - 2004 Weingut Robert Weil Keidricher Grafenberg Riesling Spatlese en Magnum - had this in August as well with the perfect group to share it with... the wine was pure as any wine I've ever tasted in my life. As one of my collegues said... "In Magnum, this is a 50-year wine" - I think he's right...

#4 - 1982 Chateau Mouton-Rothschild - I have never completely "gotten" this wine - it's always been closed - for hours on end after opening - and to me it has not revealed all of its glory - almost- until this bottle. This opened relatively quickly (for 82 Mouton, at least) - and was simply glorious. My guess is this wine won't be fully developed for another 10-20 years... I hope there's some left for me to taste...

#3 - 1976 Eitelsbacher Karthäuserhofberg Riesling Auslese - I hope the 04 Keidrich is half as good as this as it develops... complete experience - I only got to try this to confirm it was sound... and wow... was it.

#2 - 1990 Chateau Lafite-Rothschild from 1/2 bottle - Lets me look into the window of what a magnum of this wine will age like - breathtaking. A momentus Lafite - pure in spirit.

#1 - 1996 Champagne Krug - As if there was any doubt... when I got to taste this, I was simply in shock. Without question the greatest Champagne I've ever gotten to try - and I tried it with the winemaker. Purity doesn't even begin to describe this. As much as I love the 1990 and 1988, I think this far surpases those... Wines like this are the reason I'm in this business...

Well, cheers and Happy New Year!!!!

We made it...

Officially moved... more to come.

Changes all around...

well, moving on is hard to do, but there is so much to look forward to...

So, the other night I met up with a friend at the restaurant he works at. A few drinks, and some vino... The 2000 Chateau Lynch-Bages was beautiful (even if I did call it Northern Rhone!!!)... lots of cedar, tobacco, chocolate, graphite, and black cherry. This is such a baby... Save it... another 10 years should do it. The 1998 Flaccianella (Super-Tuscan) was simply beautiful... the wine was gorgeous with rose petals, underbrush, tar, leather, sandlewood... a very pretty wine that really opened up as time went on, then hit a peak about an hour in. The 1997 Domaine de la Romanee-Conti Richebourg was OFS on the nose, but a bit acidic on the palate. This one lasted for an hour in the glass, then faded big time... but roses, classic cedary/clove, silky red strawberry and cranberry. Lovely exotic spice and cedarwood. Great stuff... thanks for sharing!!!

#9

Back for more...

As great as this wine is, it is sad to put it up here... the 2004 Didier Dagueneau Silex Blanc Fumé de Pouilly (Pouilly-Fumé) is a stunning homage to a one of the greatest winemakers that ever lived. Intense in every meaning of the world, but effortless at the same time. This is a wine that hurts your brain... If it were a ski slope, you'd need an avalanche transmitter and a shovel... Let's hope his son is 1/2 as good as his father was...

#10

1999 Chateau La Graviere Tirecul Vendange Tardive Cuvee Madame - this moved up quite a few places cine last year... this is simply stunning stuff. Botrytised Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc... I'm not sure what else to say... One of the greatest sweet wines I've ever tasted.

Top 18 Countdown...

Ok... so let's go 18-11 today...

#18 - Penfold's Kalimna Block 42 Cabernet Sauvingon, Australia - one of the most profound yound Cabernet Sauvignon's I've ever tasted. Simply stunning... Power, spice, finesse - this is a just plain sexy wine. I wish I had a bottle to try in 40 years...

#17 - 1982 Chateau Latour, Bordeaux - Wow. Just had it the other night... see the notes from there.

#16 - 1988 Domaine de la Romanée Conti Grands Echezeaux, Burgundy - Wowzers... my favorite '88 from DRC. Still powerfully tannic, but less so than the RSV. Lovely earth notes that just screamed from the glass... What mature Burgundy should be, and this one still has time.

#15 - 1982 Chateau Lafite-Rothschild, Bordeaux - Yes, better than the Latour. A great wine, and I usually like Latour better... this year, though, the 82 Lafite was better than the 82 Latour I had. Incredibly intoxicating with the cedar box and tobacco leaf aromas. Timeless.

#14 - 2001 Dominus, Napa Valley, California - Yup, there it is. Not the best Dominus I've had this year, but the best young Dominus I've ever tasted. I don't usually like it when it's young (too anise-y and brooding), but this one was just perfectly balanced. I need to find a bottle - this might be Merry Christmas to me...

#13 - 1967 Mascarelli Barolo, Piemonte, Italy - this was one of those "No, no, no, no, yes, no, no, yes, no, no, no, no, no, no, no - wait a minute - YES!" It was alive, and it was glorious... Sotto Bosco maximus...

#12 - 1998 Alvaro Palacios L'Ermita, Priorato - oh my... I'll never forget this taste. One of those legendary wines I've had the priviledge of drinking many times. Mr. Palacios is a master...

#11 - 1992 Krug "Clos du Mesnil" Blanc de Blancs, Mesnil-sur-Oger, Champagne - two intoxicating bottles of this otherworldly Chardonnay... Like smelling a box of the finest dried brioche, apple skin, citrus and pears. Perfection.

Birthday Dinner

Had a great night last night... started with 1995 Veuve Clicquot La Grand Dame Rosé which was drinking beautifully... toasted cherries, brioche, iodine, rose petals - really lovely. The 2001 Jones Family Cabernet Sauvignon was drinking so well... this is a great bottle, but glad I opened it. When I got home, finished the night off with some Johnny Walker Blue Label... beautiful smoky peat. Awesome!

Wine of the Year

Well, it's that time again... and though I haven't had as much time in the last few months, there was still a lot of great wine this year. So, let's break it down... some of these wines were never written about on my blog, but I'll describe them if they make it. More to add as I find more notes that I don't have right now... I've got a great idea of what #1 is, but haven't really thought about the rest... can you guess???

Champagne
1996 Krug, 1992 Krug Clos du Mesnil, 1990 Krug, 1998 Perrier-Jouet Belle Epoque Fleur de Champagne, 1988 Piper-Heidsieck Cuvée Rare, 1998 Dom Perignon Rosé

California
1987 Robert Mondavi Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, 1987 Dominus, 1991 Dominus, 2001 Dominus, 1995 El Molino Pinot Noir, 2005 Paul Hobbs Beckstoffer- To Kalon Cabernet Sauvignon, 2005 Schraeder T6 Beckstoffer To Kalon Cabernet Sauvignon, 2005 Harlan Estate, ZD Abacus 10, 2005 Blackbird Vineyards Merlot Illustration

Bordeaux
1982 Chateau Latour, 1982 Chateau Mouton-Rothschild, 1988 Chateau Calon-Segur, 1978 Chateau Haut-Brion, 1997 Chateau d'Yquem, 1975 Chateau Suduiraut, 1985 Chateau La Mission Haut Brion, 1988 Chateau Le Pin, 1990 Chateau Lafite Rothschild, 1955 Chateau Haut-Brion, 1990 Chateau Latour, 1985 Chateau Latour, 1996 Chateau Mouton-Rothschild, 1982 Chateau Lafite-Rothschild, 1990 Chateau Figeac

Burgundy
1988 Domaine de la Romanee-Conti Grands Echezeaux, 2006 Louis Latour Batard-Montrachet, 1990 Louis Latour Corton-Charlemagne, 2002 Bonneau de Martray Corton-Charlemagne, 2001 Domaine de la Romaneé-Conti Romaneé St.-Vivant Morey Monge

Other France
1989 JL Chave Hermitage, 1990 Chateau Beucastel Chateauneuf-du-Pape, 2004 Guigal Chateau d'Ampuis Cote-Rotie, 2000 Guigal La Mouline Cote Rotie, 1999 Tirecul La Gravieres "Cuvee Madame" Monbazilliac, 1998 M. Chapoutier Hermitage Le Meal Blanc, 1999 Guigal Cote-Rotie "Chateau d'Ampuis", 2004 Didier Dagueneau Silex Blanc Fume de Pouilly, 2000 Guigal Chateau d'Ampuis Cote Rotie

Germany
1989 Herm Donnhoff Niederhauser Hermannshole Riesling Auslese, 1979 Eitelsbacher Karthauserhofberg Riesling Auslese, 2004 Robert Weil Kiedricher Grafenberg Riesling Spatlese (magnum), 1976 Eitelsbacher Karthauserhofberg Riesling Auslese, 1983 RvK Scharzhofberger Auslese

Italy
1967 Mascareli Barolo, 1997 Solaia, 2001 Gaja Sperss, 2004 Antinori Tignanello, 1999 Gaja Sugarille Brunello di Montalcino

Spain
1991 Pesquera Reserva, 1998 Alvario Palacios L'Ermita Priorat, 1994 Vega Sicilia Unico

Rest of World
2003 Henschke Hill of Grace Shiraz, 2000 Penfold's Grange, 1937 Quinta do Noval Colheita Port, 2004 Penfold's Kalimna Block 42 Barossa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, 1999 Clos Apalta

1997 Solaia

Oh my... what a stunner. The 1997 Solaia is so young (had the Latour last night - Saturday - and the Solaia Friday night.) but so Italian at heart... dusty dry earth and black turned gravel with cedar, truffles, anise and black cherry. A long dusty finish...

82 Latour

Ho hum... another bottle of 1982 Chateau Latour.... wow. wow. wow. This wine is still a baby - more like a 1995 with its big tannins. Of the bottles I've had (somewhere in the 10 bottle or so range), this one falls in the middle. Not the best, but very nice. Opened up slowly, first revealing coffee bean and mocha notes (the oak seemed fairly unintigrated at this point), with truffles, leather, pencil shavings, and just hints of black plums and currants and a smoky-rotting tobacco leaf finish that lasted minutes. As it opened over 1 1/2 hours, the bright cherry notes started to come, then faded off. It went from sublime to nearly dead very quickly. Still, the wine was too young and I would hold off drinking any for another 10 years. Probably had 8 ounces.

How Time Flies...

Wow... it's really been two weeks. I've been so crazy busy, I haven't had time for anything... Quick rundown... 1983 RvK Scharzhofberger Auslese - Killer. 2004 Weil Kiedricher Grafenberg Spatlese... stunning... 1990 Figeac - took forever to open, and then was amazing... 1983 Chateau Gruaud Larose en Magnum - massive, tannic beast... time to drink, but outstanding. 1981 Chateau Beychevelle en Magnum - elegant and beautiful... amazed it was still alive, but still had loads of life left in it. 1996 Krug... what can I say. Perhaps the finest Champagne I've ever tasted. 1998 Krug... "something" to drink while the 1996 evolves. Krug Rosé... elegant and lingering - behaves like a fully mature Rosé... Krug Grand Cuvée... wonderful how it blossoms over time. 1999 Dom Perignon - evolved yet steely. 2000 Dom Perignon - ready to drink bowl of hazelnuts. 1993 Dom Perignon Oenotheque... never my favorite, but drinking well. 1998 Dom Perignon Rosé... perhaps the finest Rosé Champagne produced... no one does it like Dom Rosé. Many more than that...

Great three days...

Back from a great three days (short!) in Napa Valley and San Francisco... I'll go into details later, but some highlites where the 1991 Von Strasser Cabernet Sauvignon, 1991 Dominus, 1995 El Molino Pinot Noir, and many more...

Sorry!

Been too long, I know... but so much going on... today had the 2001 Mondavi To-Kalon Reserve Fumé Blanc - who says Sauvignon Blanc can't age?!? (well, it was blended with Semillon, for the record). Great stuff... cheesy-Bordeaux like nose... beautiful food wine. The 2005 Mondavi Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon is fantastic... No the over-done style of some other wineries - refined, elegant - it tastes like wine, not grape juice and vodka. Bravo!