Cru (July 2023)

 

Leonard Taylor and Ric Alpert hosted our wine tasting this month.

(my favorites are indicated)

Prelude:
2016 Christophe Baron Champagne Les Dessus de Bois Marie
2016 Christophe Baron Champagne Les Alouettes (magnum) favorite

First flight
2005 Copain Syrah Thompson Vineyard
2007 Copain Syrah Thompson Vineyard
2006 Copain Syrah James Berry Vineyard (favorite)
1998 Ojai Syrah EH Roll Ranch Vineyard (2nd favorite)
2000 Ojai Syrah Thompson Vineyard Special Bottling
2008 Alban Syrah Reva

2nd Flight
2020 Alain Graillot Crozes-Hermitage
2020 Turley Zinfandel Ueberroth Vineyard
2020 Cayuse Syrah Bionic Frog (favorite)
2020 SQN Distenta II (2nd favorite)... Syrah with small amounts of Grenache and Mourvedre
2020 Liminal Syrah Block 16 Weather Eye
2020 Mollydooker Shiraz The Boxer

No formal notes, however this was my first taste of the Baron Champagnes which are 100% Pinot Meunier. The 2016 Alouette was the more approachable of two, showing nice fruit and some early complexity. I'm not a huge fan of 100% Pinot Meunier champagne. To me, they are either too earthy or the fruit is too lean. The Baron Champagnes were a revelation into what heights Pinot Meunier can reach.

The first flight was a smorgasbord of beautifully aged California Syrah by Wells Guthrie, Adam Tolmach and John Alban. All bottles were purchased direct from the winery and perfectly cellared. 

The second flight was a superb showing of younger syrahs with Zinfandel ringer (both flights tasted double blind). The bouquet on the Bionic Frog is crazy interesting.