Double Post - NYE and January 2024
Went to a small gathering on New Years Eve (NYE) and had a few great wines. The remainder is the January line up I tasted.
New Years eve
Thanks to Chris and Ryan for the invite and special wines. We also had some caviar, stuffed mushrooms and more food. Ryan wrote the detailed tasting notes - it is really fun tasting with an Astronomy professor!
Bourgmont Winery,
Sparkling Wine, Kansas NV
Seyval Blanc. Light straw yellow / gold. Very fine, persistent bubbles. Very nice nose of ripe pineapple, green apple, a bit of fresh apricot, orange rind, and some steely mineral. On the palate, a bit of orange / lime upfront, pineapple, red apple / pear, a touch of apricot / nectarine, something tropical like papaya / passion fruit / mango, and then honey toward a finish of steely mineral and some nice toasty yeastiness. Full bodied with a rich, fleshy / savory texture and lively acidity; what great balance. This is delightful, satisfying, and remarkably complex. A shocking 15.5% all but doesn’t taste like it at all. What an impressive achievement for Kansas. Buy and serve with confidence when you need a high quality sparkler. 3.5 Stars [12/31/23]
This was a surprise –
an enjoyable Kansas wine! Surprised by the alcohol level, but it wasn’t revealed
in the taste. Priced around $35 (?), I think.
Balfour, 1503, Hush
Heath Estate, Classic Cuvee, Kent NV
Pinot Noir, Pinot Menuer, and Chardonnay. Light straw-gold with rosy reflections. Subtle but rich and deep nose of red apple, a hint of cherry, blood orange, lemon curd, and loads of toasty, yeasty depth, exceptional, rather wonderful nose. On the palate, loads of blood orange, a lovely bit of meaty black cherry, pineapple, apricot, and then loads of sweet raspberry and citrus-infused honey toward of a long, long finish of toasted almond and pound cake, yeast, and chalky stone (with perhaps the oyster shell of Chablis), and lingering red berry and crystalized honey. On the light side of full bodied with a rich, fleshy, honeyed texture, vibrant acidity, and savory minerality. Wonderful, wonderful depth and complexity. Wow. A solid 10 years ahead, and 15 us not out of the question. 4 Stars [12/31/23]
While its
flagship vintage rosé has secured Balfour a firm place among England’s top wine
producers, the estate introduced a second tier of traditional method sparkling
wine. This pair of non-vintage wines, a rosé and a classic brut, appear under
the ‘1503’ label, reference the date when the estate’s historic manor house was
built. Made from the property’s estate vineyards and with a fresher, aperitif
style in mind, this offers a very approachable yet still refined English fizz
experience. This bottling saw the introduction of 10% Pinot Meunier, rounding
out the fruit profile. This ‘Classic Cuvée’ is arguably England’s best value
traditional method sparkling wine.
The fruit was
harvested throughout October and the grapes were destemmed then whole-berry
pressed to stainless steel tanks. Fermentation was inoculated with a
house-specific strain and fermented at a cool temperature, preserving the
vibrant fruit notes. Malolactic fermentation occurred simultaneously with primary
fermentation. The wine was bottled and hit with the liqueur de tirage to the
optimum potential pressure as dictated by Victoria, the winemaker. Following a
minimum of 12 months on lees the wine was disgorged in November 2022. It was
given a 10 gram dosage, which enhances the vibrant fruit notes. The wine is
bottled to order for freshness.
Louis Roederer,
Cristal, Champagne 2002
My first Cristal. Nice color, gold with a touch an orange, but also some green reflections. Fantastic, fascinating nose, combining ripe, rich apricot / plum, raspberry, black currant, blood orange marmalade, ginger, yellow passion fruit, loads of chalky-stoney depth, all overlaid with mature Champagne notes of sour bread dough, and fresh fruitcake; phenomenal complexity. On the palate, loads of fresh orange marmalade upfront, with subtle notes of meaty cherry and currant/plum, lovely pineapple / mango / passion fruit, then guava and lime curd before a finish of black cherry, a touch of fresh honey, and a long, long finish chalky but smokey stone, yeast / sour bread dough. Full bodied and fleshy, rich and sweet but with serious poise and a study in elegant balance, fantastic complexity and depth; a study in the juxtaposition of rich, vibrant fruit with mature Champagne funky yeastiness. Absolutely captivating, the combination of rich texture with serious complexity are eye-opening. 20 years ahead easily. 5 Stars [12/31/23]
Cristal 2002
by Louis Roederer comprises a blend of 55% Pinot Noir and 45% Chardonnay.
Nose Intense, delicate and precise, the nose
harmoniously blends fragrances of sweet flowers, cocoa, finely toasted
hazelnuts and candied citrus fruit.
Palate The palate is seduced by this champagne’s
silky texture, its concentration and its explosion of aromas of ripe fruit, red
fruit and white chocolate mixed with flavoursome notes of caramel and pastry,
which are characteristic features of this wine. Throughout the tasting
experience, this champagne increasingly reveals its powerful and refined
expression and leads to a finish marked by a beautiful freshness and a
bitterness, offering the pleasant ‘’crunchy’’ sensation.
My first time having a “classic” Champagne (read that as really expensive).
Beautiful body, fine bubbles with citrus and yeasty stone edges – incredible Champagne. No doubt one of the best I’ve had. Interesting
note – the bottom has no punt, like most sparkling wine – it is flat, but
pretty thick. Originally packed in crystal (clear) there was no punt and it continues
that way. No clue to the price.
Chateau
Lafaurie-Peyraguey, Sauternes 1998
Gorgeous orange-gold with a hint of green, no mature bronzing showing, impressively youthful for its age. Phenomenal, d’Yquem level Sauternes nose; amazingly rich/ripe pear with raspberry and apricot, crystalized ginger, honey / barley sugar / gorgeous floral nectar, loads of vanilla, then lime, loads of botrytis mace / nutmeg, white peach / yellow melon, and incredible steely mineral depth; such elegance and power and depth; as it opens, mature fruitcake, burnt sugar, and butterscotch. The palate is just as incredible; loads and loads of honeyed ripe/rich poached pear, candied ginger, and endless, luscious array of honey and orange blossom / white flower nectar, laden with botrytis mace and nutmeg, hazelnut, and then creamy butterscotch / vanilla before a finish of chalky mineral and a endless finish of honey / flower nectar, a firm touch of vanilla / oak, white peach, and a hint of raspberry. Full bodied, rich and honeyed and very sweet, with fleshy texture, candied citrus acidity, incredibly elegant but powerful balance like a high end Meursault (white Burgundy). This is so close to the ’98 d’Yquem. Phenomenal. A long life ahead of it still, 20 - 30 years. 5 Stars [12/31/23]
Château
Lafaurie-Peyraguey
Lovely sweet
apricotty nose with spicy, fruity complexity. There's a rather unusual
lanolin-like edge to the palate, which is honeyed and syrupy. Attractive, but a
bit simple overall? Very good+
This is an incredible bottle of dessert wine. Had an apple ginger tart with it and the match was heavenly. Sad part – the wine and tart were so richI couldn’t finish both. The mouthfeel of this wine is intense – floral, pear and spices that just fill the senses. Nice acidity to match the sweetness, a balance that is divine. Hard to say much more – you just drink in the pure luxury and are wrapped in a sugar cocoon.
January 20204 wines
Aromas of Mission fig, black currant and mocha waft from the glass. Vibrant acidity and plush tannins play backup to black cherry, blackberry, butterscotch, star anise and dried sage flavors that dissolve into a pomegranate-splashed finish. WE 93 points
A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Garnacha, this red is full in feel, with nice grip and strength to the palate showing flavors of dark berry and plum that finish dark and spicy. Ripeness and fruit are paramount on this Navarran red.
This is a very fruit
forward style of wine. Very enjoyable with enough acid and body to match with
food. Priced around $14, worth buying several to enjoy, though only not
something to put away for more than a year.
2020 Country Heritage
Vignoble, Laotto Indiana
Semi dry white wine. Estate Grown Fruit.
Bright and crisp semi-dry white wine. Sweet fruitiness with
tart citrus flavors.
Alcohol 11.50%
Gift and I can not say
I really liked it. Too sweet, used it mostly for cooking.
2020 Las Gundinas La
Vizcaina, Bierzo, Spain
WA 95 Robert Parker's
Wine Advocate, February 2022
(95+ points) The 2020 La Vizcaína Las Gundiñas has a new plot, a west-facing vineyard that is steeper and cooler. Pérez likes Gundiñas and Rapolao in warmer years like this. In 2020, 50% of the wine matured in 2,000-liter oak foudre and the other half in used 500-liter barrels. It was harvested much earlier, and the wine shows more freshness even if it shows more tannin today. He likes long macerations (40 to 45 days) and works toward having tannins and weight in his wines. Some 6,000 bottles were filled in August 2021.- LG
La Vizcaina Las Gundinas shows very fresh aromas of black fruit with certain notes of graphite and a background of thyme. In mouth it is fleshy, ample, with a tannin of grape very marked and certain earthy aftertaste.
Mostly Mencia, this is
a tasty wine with nice black fruits and body with fine grained tannins as the
backbone. Could cellar for several years, but drinking fine now. Priced around
$40, I got a better deal from Matt.
2018 Ramirez de la
Piscina Crianza, Rioja, Spain
This wine has aromas of dark plums, clove and cocoa powder. Flavors of black currant, blackberry, milk chocolate, clove and orange zest are set into polished tannins that gently fade into an orange-zest finish. — Mike DeSimone 90 WE
100% Tempranillo picked by hand aged for 15 months in
American and French oak barrels after alcoholic and malolactic fermentation.
Thereafter the wine is transferred back to the tanks for 5 months of natural
fining and settling before filtering and bottling.
93 James Suckling
Blackberry, tar and violet aromas. Wet earth, too. Medium to full body with firm, racy tannins and a solid finish. A structured and very classic Rioja. Drink or hold.
Classic Tempranillo
from the Rioja, old style. Very enjoyable with black fruits and spice elements.
Nice body without many tannins. Priced around $30, a very good wine to enjoy
with friends.
2019 Guidalberto
Tenuta san Guido Toscano, Italy
95 Wine
Enthusiast
This enticing red offers alluring aromas of fragrant purple
flowers, dark-skinned berries and crushed mint. The elegantly structured palate
doles out succulent blackberry, orange zest, licorice and saline notes set
against taut, refined tannins. It’s nicely balanced by fresh acidity. Drink
2022–2029. Editors’ Choice.
94 Decanter
Guidalberto is still considered the 'second vin' of
Sassicaia but this is a terrible mistake - first of all, its blend is
completely different, as is the selection of the grapes. Secondly, the quality
of the tannins today is excellent. In good - if not great - vintages such as
2019, Guidalberto shines for its classic style of sleek bramble fruit,
astonishing elegance of the tannins, and the signature freshness of the estate.
The suppleness of Merlot helps this wine to become more approachable sooner,
yet no less ageworthy.
93 James
Suckling
Plum, currant and fresh-herb aromas follow through to a medium to full body, firm and silky tannins and a long, linear finish. It’s clear and already delicious, but another year or two will improve it.
I made a mistake and
opened this wine. It is still very tight and needs some bottle time to allow it
to open up. The second time I tasted it (the day after I opened it), the fruits
had become apparent with a mix of red and black fruit and overtones of herbs
and spices. Went well with a steak, but keep this puppy for a few years and
enjoy. Got it for $50 at Auburn spirits, heck of a great deal.
Another month, a little more wine. Hope everyone is well - keep popping those corks and I'll meet you out behind the grapevines.
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