The Official Wine Thread

1996 Castalia Rochioli vineyard pinot noir = old.

Originally Posted by kwilkinson

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Also, even more exciting, is that in a weird and strange turn of events, in about a week, I will be promoted from service staff member to wine staff member. Meaning that I get to come in early every day and stay late every day to do wine stuff. And it means that I'll be the third and final person on the wine staff. Right now we have a wine director and a sommelier (both of whom are studying for their master's sommelier roles, waiting to be invited to sit for the test) and a guy who is leaving after this week. I'm training right now to assume his position when he leaves.

In short: Hell

Yes.

Huge congrats!

Originally Posted by Piobaire

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Could not pull the trigger on DuMol stuff this allocation season. Think they wanted >$60 for their Chards? No thanks.

It's very nice (I'm still reserving judgment on value) and we're following it with a 2007 Kistler Noisetiers RRV. A rare Cali night for us...

Thanks for the congrats gentlemen!


I am falling in love with a pinot that we have by the glass. August West 2008 Graham Family Vineyard. Very small production (420 cases). It is really expressive of the Russian River Valley's terroir. Anyone who has been to RRV during grape-growing season knows what that means. Before noon, there is a thick blanket of fog that burns off in the afternoon and it can get rather warm, spiking up to over 90 on the hotter days. While a cooler climate may be more ideal for a pinot, this appelation is supremely interesting b/c it is a cool climate in the mornings and a warm climate in the afternoons. What that means is that instead of just having ripe red fruit flavors, you get ripe red fruits (cherry being the strongest) but then you also get deeper fruits and a mushroom/forest floor component. Finished with the distinct RRV menthol. Oak influence is present but not overpowering, just giving it enough spice and strength to round out the high acidity. Truly a great wine, and at around $28-35 a bottle, it's definitely something you should pick up if you ever see it. This one doesn't have the structure to sit for 10 years, but will be immensely enjoyable for the next 5 or so.

the last pinot I had from that vineyard tasted like cherries and twizzlers

Originally Posted by gomestar

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the last pinot I had from that vineyard tasted like cherries and twizzlers

That's really strange. This one is quite complex. I've tasted 12 bottles or so over the last week, and they have all represented RRV well.

complex, this was as well. Lots of other fruit flavors, good acidity and good finish too. By all accounts a very nice wine. But you have to love the California fruit. I'd rather buy actual twizzlers for $2.

Originally Posted by gomestar

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complex, this was as well. Lots of other fruit flavors, good acidity and good finish too. By all accounts a very nice wine. But you have to love the California fruit. I'd rather buy actual twizzlers for $2.

I am so going to bring some twizzlers in the spring.

Originally Posted by gomestar

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complex, this was as well. Lots of other fruit flavors, good acidity and good finish too. By all accounts a very nice wine. But you have to love the California fruit. I'd rather buy actual twizzlers for $2.

Ehh. Agree to disagree. It must come down to variations within producer/vintage/vinification.

Originally Posted by Piobaire

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I am so going to bring some twizzlers in the spring.

And I'll bring some ... barnyard?

Originally Posted by kwilkinson

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Ehh. Agree to disagree. It must come down to variations within producer/vintage/vinification.

I'm not disagreeing with the assessment of your bottles at all (I believe they are fully valid), I'm just comparing it to the the wines I've tried from the same vineyard but a different producer (and likely different vintage).

Just pulled the trigger on the WTSO Crew Wines Mossback pinot.

Getting ready for the LSU Alabama game.

^^^^^
I'd put up with football if I could have some of that.


Last night was a really interesting Sancerre at Aldea, I'll look it up and poast deets later (on my way out the door right now)

Had an 06 Lynmar Chard last night. Nicely done and I plan to buy more from them in the new year.

Originally Posted by gomestar

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Last night was a really interesting Sancerre at Aldea, I'll look it up and poast deets later (on my way out the door right now)
the wine was Domaine Raimbault Sancerre 2008. Nice, would drink again. The food was fantastic all around. Had the octopus, fluke, foie, oysters (of all that I've eaten around NYC, these might be my favorite), risotto, and sampled a good number of the desserts. Highly recommended for the NYC peeps, and the prices are very favorable.