WTN: Prà, Grünhäuser, ESJ

2006 Prà Soave Monte Grande Classico Superiore
I have liked wines from these people in the past, for the crisp mineral precision and clarity. This was not that way. It was a bit muddled and brown pearish. Perhaps that is the extra ripeness from the single vineyard. Whatever the reason, despite the mineral tinge that is nice, this is not very fun to drink.

2002 Maximin Grünhäuser Abtsberg Kabinett
I heard that this was showing well recently. I’m not quite sure I would go that far. It does get better with air, gaining precision and definition. In its brighter moments, it shows that classic brisk bracing Grünhäuser kabinett feel, with a slight plump warm-year middle, and is pretty fun. But, all things considered, I would probably open other things right now, and save this for later.

2003 ESJ Syrah El Dorado County “Wylie-Fenaughty”
Opened in the morning, this was smooth drinking by dinnertime. The fruit is still youngish and juicy, and at times it shows a bit hot. But, when it settles, the crisp ripe syrah raspberry pork is lip-smacking good.

2001 ESJ Syrah El Dorado County “Wylie-Fenaughty”
This on the other hand is much more ready to drink. Dense liquid sex, kirsch, all those Parker CdP descriptors are here. Although, of course it does not lumber and has lift to the palate, plus, is more resolved and integrated than my last bottle 18 months ago. But, the (14.4%) alcohol is also sticking out. Any other recent experiences? Great flavors and great development, except for that alcohol thing. Don’t know if it’s a stage or bad bottle or what. I’m imagining the future is bright for this wine in general.

The great thing about MaxGrun is even when its not showing well, it tastes pretty good.

Thanks for the notes on the ESJs. They're both tucked away. I last had the '01 in the fall, didn't find it as heavy as you did, but thought a few years were in order.

[David M. Bueker]

I keep thinking of opening a bottle of the ESJ W-F (I have '01, '03 and '05), but then I just say "wait" & move on. Sooner or later I'm going to line them up side by side with the '03 and '05 Bassetti & let 'em all rip.

2001 ESJ Syrah El Dorado County “Wylie-Fenaughty”
But, the (14.4%) alcohol is also sticking out. Any other recent experiences? Great flavors and great development, except for that alcohol thing.

I had a bottle last week and I'd say the alcohol was noticeable--not necessarily hot, but as a package it just felt like a big, big wine. My notes:

2001 Edmunds St. John El Dorado County Syrah Wylie-Fenaughty (El Dorado County, Sierra Foothills, California, USA) cork closure, 14.4% – appears darkish black cloudy purple, when opened, smell funky toothpaste nose, lots of veggies, soft wafting spices, by hour six smell much more meaty elements, beef jerky, very powerful nose, by day three it was raisinesque and port-like on the nose, powerful rich nose overall, mouthfeel is pretty incredible, tightly bound yet smooth, beautiful texture, taste gentle firm fruit, quite closed when first opened, but expands by hour six to gentle firm fruit of cherry and raspberry, slightly tart with great spice, dense and rich--rich and dense, but with good flow, some interesting vegetal aspects, but these seemed fleeting, by day two it had shifted over to a more rich, filling, and powerful aspect on the palate, very, very big wine—so easy to drink, but I really could not drink a lot of it as it was very powerful stuff, by day three it was still humming, but warmer and more port-like, this wine had some dramatic shifts over the four days I sampled it, the bigness and powerfulness of it didn’t invite me to finish it in a sitting and I found interesting elements at all the stages, impressive wine I don’t know how to pigeonhole, so I won’t, a rare experience for the $22 I paid.

Yes, I suppose nothing is to be lost by leaving the ESJs in the cellar.

I'm moving in one month so I have to drink everything, but it would be interesting to see how these three vintages age. 01 seems to be the richest, and although I wouldn't say it was 'heavy' in the grand scheme of CA syrah, the other vintages (03 and 05) might eventually surpass it for my tastes. Once they finally mature that is..

The great thing about MaxGrun is even when its not showing well, it tastes pretty good..

Maybe, although I also have bottles of the 98 and 01 spatlese that did not taste very good at all earlier this year.

Some claim that those were bad years for the estate, and others claim that they just need more time. I don't know if I can ever resolve that question with my bottles, by leaving them to age long enough to see a dramatic change.

[David M. Bueker]

The great thing about MaxGrun is even when its not showing well, it tastes pretty good..

Maybe, although I also have bottles of the 98 and 01 spatlese that did not taste very good at all earlier this year.

Some claim that those were bad years for the estate, and others claim that they just need more time. I don't know if I can ever resolve that question with my bottles, by leaving them to age long enough to see a dramatic change.

There's plenty of bottles where you're (eventually) going.