2019 Flor de Muga Blanco

 First time trying this wine. Very interesting blend of Viura, Garnacha Blanca and Maturana Blanca. Fermented in French oak and aged in concrete eggs. 

Early stages of pleasing drinkability. Has solid potential for aging another handful of years. The oak is deftly integrated so that there a hint of spice and vanilla from the wood, but the star of the show is the complexity of flavors in the blend. Drink on the cooler side now for maximum enjoyment. 
Paired with sliced smoked salmon and capers. I love viura based wines. One of my favorite white varietals. 

Cru Tasting 28 Nov 2022

 Hosted by George Erdle and Pete Pappas

Whites
2018 Domaine des Baumard Savennieres
2020 Hartford Court RRV Chardonnay
2020 Beringer Private Reserve (Napa) Chardonnay (favorite)
2019 Gary Farrell (Russian River) Chardonnay

CdP flight 
2019 Le Vieux Donjon CdP
2019 Domaine de Piaugier Gigondas                  
2018 Reserve des Oliviers  CdP
2019 Saint-Galet CdP
2019 Chateau Beaucastel CdP (favorite)
2012 Bosquet des Papes CdP

Bordeaux flight
2005 Château Gruaud Larose (St. Julien)
2005 Grand Puy Lacoste (Pauillac)
2005 Château Lynch Bages (Pauillac)
2009 Château Canon (Saint Emilion)
2009 Château Pontet-Canet (Pauillac) (favorite)
2010 Château Pichon Longueville Lelande (Pauillac)

Thanksgiving Champagne

 

 







The Marie Courtin Blanc de Blancs showed beautifully. Dominque Moreau keeps cranking out killer wines.

I've never enjoyed Pehu-Simonet wines that much. This one didn't change my mind. Disappointing. I don't this one has the stuffing to ever amount to much...

Musings on Little Neck clam pie and Life...

 ....

While in town for a family wedding, Janet and I took a break from the festivities yesterday on Sunday and enjoyed lunch in the wonderfully lively company of Mr. Josh Raynolds. Musings on life, family, wine and the world were shared over Little Neck clam pies paired with various wines, such as....

2016 Marie Courtin Efflorescence Blanc de Noirs
2019 Bartolo Mascarello Langhe Friesa
NV Rinaldi Namaste

Kudos to Josh for a great time and for recommending Pasquale Jones, which is a killer place for a long lunch (they have a great music playlist). The Sommelier service and the eclectic wine list are both outstanding. They have an incredibly varied steware portfolio with different glasses perfectly suited for each wine.

The clam pie is REALLY delicious, made with fresh Little Necks, broccoli rabe, cream and lemon. There was a spiciness to the pie (hint of calabrian chile oil, perhaps?) that kept you going back for another bite.

The 2016 Efflorescence drank very nicely. It was perhaps a bit shyer than the 2015 Efflorescence that we enjoyed recently, but had the beautifully refined fruit (no dosage) that you expect from Dominque Moreau.

First time trying the B. Mascarello Langhe Freisa (decanted). The 2019 is lovely now and will develop nicely over the next handful of years. My personal reference point for the varietal is the Vajra Freisa Kye, which ages quite well. The B. Mascarello Freisa is quite refined and elegant.

The revelation was the G. Rinaldi Namaste (pop & pour)  which is a blend of Nebbiolo, Barbera, Dolcetto, Freisa and Ruchè. Production is 1000 bottles annually and the proceeds from this wine go to the Nuto Revelli Foundation in Cuneo. This was my favorite wine paired with the clam pie. Attractive up front fresh, crisp red fruit palate with an intriguing, lengthy finish that evolved nicely over the long lunch.

We finally wrapped up lunch around 4:40pm, just in time to catch the early set of the Nicholas Payton quintet celebrating their new album release at Smoke Jazz and Supper Club (Broadway and W. 106th). This is a cool venue with great atmosphere and acoustics. The group closed out their set with an especially poignant rendition of "Blossom", one of my favorites penned by Keith Jarrett in 1974.

2015 Marie Courtin Extra Brut Efflorescence

 Prices for Dominque Moreau's wines have increased a bit but are still avaliable at somewhat reasonable prices (for now, at least).

These are brilliant wines bottled with zero dosage. The lovely dryness helped to showcase the stunningly savory fruit balanced with lively acidity. What a wine from the Aube!

Additional background producer info at: 
https://lestastevinsdulac.blogspot.com/2021/01/2014-marie-courtin-efflorescence.html?m=1

As AG says, "don't miss it!"....

2008 Cantalupo Ghemme Collis Carellae

 Drinking wonderfully after a decant to get some air. Classic mid weight burgundian styled Nebbiolo. My first foray with this Producer. Bravo!

2010 Gravner Ribolla

 Checking in on the 2010 Gravner Ribolla, it continues to develop and fulfill its potential as the best vintage ever for this wine.

Better on day two, when the burnished, spicy fruit and nut palate really came forward along with a beautifully alluring nose. It's got the classic satiny skin contact tactile element. Fascinating, lengthy multilayered finish keeps you coming back again and again. As @"Mark Scudiery" would say, "...a wine with soul.." 👍😊

2017 Chateau de Béru Chablis Montserre

 More approachable now than the 2017 Béru Monopole, the Montserre opens up nicely after 30 minutes or so. Extremely well managed oak imparts a caressing mouthfeel to the savory lemon palate. But the star of the show is the mouthwatering salinity on the finish... Do not drink too cold.

Paired with seared marinated tuna, ginger carrots and potato cake.

Alsace Pinot Noir and Jura Pinot Noir

 2017 Marcel Deiss Burlenberg

"...From vines planted in 1947 and later as a field blend (complantation) of Pinot Noir and other mutations of Pinot like Beurot, Meunier, Blanc and Gris on "volcanism-baked limestone" ..."

First experience with this wine. Exceeded expectations. Elegant red fruit palate up front with sous bois influence on the nose. Interesting complexity on the finish of this co-planted varietal cuvee. The use of small oak is managed with a beautifully deft hand. This will get better with a few more years of cellaring.



2018 Domaine du Pélican Arbois Pinot Noir 

Bright strawberry fruit up front with lively acidity on the finish. Not a lot of depth here, but provides a very enjoyable quaff.



Both wines paired deliciously with chicken and andouille sausage jambalaya.
 

2017 Big Table Farm Pinot Noir

 Comprised of equal lots from all eight sites of pinot that they work with, Brian Marcy and Claire Carver made an excellent entry level pinot noir in 2017.

Decanted to aerate for a couple of hours, the aromatics provide instant allure. On the palate, the wine exhibits a beautiful expression of sous bois complementing suave cherry and allspice. Paired with grilled tuna.

I hadnt enjoyed a Big Table Farm wine in a while. This was really nice. Should easily drink well for another 10 years or more...

2015 Felsina Chianti Classico Berardenga

 Drinking gorgeously now. Well balanced fruit and gentle acidity. An outstanding effort. Paired with roast chicken and vegetables. 

2018 Marcel Deiss Berckem

 Field blend of 50% Riesling with the balance being Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, Sylvaner, Muscat d'Alsace (white and red), Muscat à Petit Grain, Gewurtztraminer, Traminer, Chasselas, Chasselas Rose.

Very enjoyable. Needs a couple of hours to open up. Don't drink too cold. Better on day one than day two.
Lovely fruit with enough underlying acidity to keep things interesting. 

2019 G. Bea Lapideus and 2017 Deiss Grasberg

The Bea is Trebbiano Spoletino. 30 days on the skins, so really more of an orange wine. It's too young at this point but drinkable.

I really prefer Trebbiano d'Abruzzo... Tiberio makes an excellent and somewhat affordable version, IMO.

The 2017 Deiss Grasberg is the least inspiring version I've had of this cuvee and also the youngest. So it's either:
- too young
- not a good vintage
... or
- an off btl

2011 Produttori del Barbaresco Montefico / 2011 Produttori del Barbaresco Paje

 No detailed notes were taken, but the welcome news is that the 2011 PdB Crus appear to be mellowing and have shed the slight heat on the finish that they exhibited in their youth. The Montefico tannins are a bit more evident at this stage than the Paje. The Montefico is not as open on day 2 as the Paje. The tannins in the Paje are silkier and make for very enjoyable drinking right now.

Let's hope that the PdB wines do not score 100 points since the freakin price would skyrocket. 😏🍷

2018 Borgo del Tiglio Collio Bianco

 Very nice entry level wine comprised of Friulano, Sauvignon and Riesling Renano.  Needs air. Slight bit of heat on the finish for day one. On day two, everything comes together on a beautiful finish with tropical notes. Slightly viscous finish goes on and on. Very nice QPR from this high end winemaker and drinks well earlier than the flagship bottling.

2017 Thomas Pinot Noir

 One of the most approachable young Thomas Pinots I've had. Enjoy one now if you have a few. Will likely improve over another handful of years. One of my favorite North American pinots...

2014 Altesino Brunello di Montalcino

 A lovely bottle, drinking very well, from a weaker vintage, at a superb price. Buy a case and enjoy over the next five years....👍🍷

'19 Vorberg and '17 Beru Monopole Chablis

 Two beautiful white wines this evening.

'19 Vorberg is the most beautiful young Vorberg I've encountered. It's immediately attractive... actually could be described as having juicy ripe fruit. It closes down slightly after 90 minutes or so. Lot of time left to develop over the years, but I encourage you to crack one now to see how beautiful it is. 
Paired with tempura fried langoustines,  followed by seared tuna, grilled spicy carrots and potato cakes.

First time trying Clos Beru, and this happened to be the Monopole bottling. Gorgeous out of the gate, really show casing the beauty of the '17 vintage. This will only get better over time, but don't miss uncorking one now. What a lovely wine.

2012 Isole e Olena Cepparello

 Absolutely gorgeous, voluptuous expression of Sangiovese. Balanced and open knit framework. The fruit is the compelling star of the show. Likely the best vintage of Cepparello that I've had. Decant and aerate for at least 30 minutes.

2018 CVNE Blanco Seco Monopole Clásico

Fascinating wine. Definitely Viura, but with a twist so that it reminds one of a trocken Riesling. CVNE adds a small amount (5%?) of Manzanilla (Palomino) Sanlúcar de Barrameda, which provides an extra dimension of dryness. Really a brilliant cuvee and very reasonably priced. Gran Reserva editions were produced in 2014 and 2016, yet with an order of magnitude increase in price.

Paired very nicely with shrimp & grits.

2002 Lopez de Heredia Tondonia Reserva and 2012 Lopez de Heredia Vina Gravonia

 The 2002 Tondonia has aged beautifully. The 2012 Gravonia is utterly irresistible.

Paired with:
- Croquetas de Jamon
- Chorizo and Figs
- Patatas Bravas
- grilled whole Branzino
- sauteed broccoli 
- olive oil cake

2010 Drappier Brut Grande Sendrée

 A wonderful discovery. I'll be acquiring more of this wine. Currently in its early stage of drinkability. Lovely nose of red fruit upon opening. Delicious out of the gate. Fine mousse on an elegant framework of apple and biscuit. Typically, this cuvee is a blend of equal parts pinot noir and chardonnay, a third of which is fermented in barrel followed by seven years of aging in bottle. Customarily, four to five g/l dosage. Graceful acidity mellowed by malolactic. Sourced exclusively from a single parcel in Urville in the Côte des Bar.

2020 Domaine du Pélican Savagnin Arbois Maceration Pelliculaire

 From the Jura region, this is outstanding. Better than the 2018 vintage. The 2020 has more depth. Skin contact white wine. Lovely stuff. Paired with grilled bone in pork chops. 

2018 Hofgut Falkenstein Riesling Krettnacher Euchariusberg Spätlese A.P. 14

 Classic Falkenstein with beautifully delineated, incisive fruit complemented by mouthwatering salinity. Even though young, it exhibits irresistible layers of complexity on the long lasting finish....

NV Taittinger Folies de la Marquetterie

 Early drinking window and showing beautifully. Pinot Noir + Chardonnay. Seductive bouquet with a crisp clean palate of red berry fruit. Impeccably balanced with elegant texture and fine minerality. Solid re-buy...

Paired with:
Fried corn seasoned with togarachi, cotija, lime and kewpie
Egg salad on toast with dill pickle, pepper and super fresh north carolina trout roe.

2020 Tramin Gewurztraminer Nussbaumer

Still in a very early drinking window. Delightfully dry, yet once it opens up there is a honeyed texture to this minerally expression of Alto Adige Gewurztraminer. Palate evinces white stone fruit with a nose redolent of citrus zest. A fascinating wine. Dont drink too cold.

2019 Elena Walch Beyond The Clouds

 This is drinking ridiculously well right now ... delightful in fact...

Mostly Chardonnay with some Gewurztraminer and Sauvignon Blanc. 

Producer notes:
"...All varieties get crushed and pressed together after which they also ferment together in new French oak barriques. Part of the wine undergoes malolactic fermentation, after which it is matured for another 10 months in barrique with lees being regularly stirred up. The finished wine is bottle aged for at least 6 months before being released...."

Lovely citrus nose. The Gewurztraminer adds a succulent pineapple note to the very refined palate. Viscous but with fine acidity. Oak is very, very well integrated. 

Drank on its own without food. Disappeared immediately. Just bought some more...

Vineyards near Lago di Caldaro in Alto Adige region..

2015 Marie Courtin Eloquence Extra Brut

 A very nice vintage for the wines of Dominique Moreau. The Eloquence cuvee is all chardonnay (no dosage) from vineyards in the Côte des Bar. Tellingly, it exhibits savory chablis - like character.

 

2018 Nals Margreid Pinot Bianco Sirmian

 

Irresistible pinot bianco character... slightly oily texture with wonderfully elegant spiciness complementing lemony fruit. Needs more time for the finish to flesh out. Lovely wine, yet not quite at the level of complexity one finds in Terlano Vorberg Riserva...

  

2002 Lopez de Heredia Rioja Vina Tondonia Reserva

 I very much enjoyed this vintage on release, and it is holding up very well. An elegant Tondonia and outstanding for the vintage. Dusky black fruit with fully resolved tannins. Delicious notes of spice and leather. Transports me back to visiting this regal old guard winery in Haro years ago. This is a library release, I believe. 

1993 Louis Jadot Beaune Chouacheux

 This is why we drink Burgundy 👍🍷

Subtle florals, with a hint of funk that blew off after 10 minutes or so. Showing very well with black cherry palate wrapped in sour pomegranate knit together with filigreed tannins. Decanted and gained serious presence over a few hours.  Wonderful acidity paired well with beef, pork & veal stuffed ravioli. 

2015 Cantina Terlano Pinot Bianco Vorberg Riserva

 Drinking beautifully now! Paired with crab cakes...

One of my favorite white wines in the world...