Two From Edmunds St. John

2007 Heart of Gold El Dorado (54% Grenache Blanc, 46% Vermentino) <$20
2008 Bone Jolly Gamay Noir >$20

Sorry I couldn't remember the prices exactly, I lost my sales slip somewhere. I just recall the Heart of Gold was slightly less than $20 and the Bone Jolly slightly more. Or the other way around. Or not.

"I was born in Hollywood
I'm thick as wood
I crossed the city
to buy some Heart of Gold
It's been in my mind,
drinking fine wine
That keeps me searching
for the Heart of Gold
And I'm getting old.
Keeps me searching
for the Heart of Gold
And I'm getting old.
-Kelly "Neil" Young
from the album "Rust Never Sleeps But Does Occasionally Take A Nap"

An earlier description of the HoG by someone here is the thing that prompted me to start posting, so I guess we're coming full circle. In any case this fine Grenache Blanc and Vermentino blend comes in light, light gold with a bracing, some might say surprising bit of acidity. Well framed though. There's something a bit spicy-ish in the taste too. A good deal of citrus. Nice little drinker.

The only down side was the presence of this reductive thing (I had to look it up) in the nose. Very strong at first. I've now noted this in four different screw cap wines I've had within the past month from four different producers from two different countries (Australia & California). I have to say I really hate that plasticky smell. All of the bottles were stored upright for my possession of them. I realize there's another discussion in this, probably one that's been done to death but I throw this out there because it was a pretty severe downside to what was otherwise a lovely wine for me. I guess this makes up for the fact in all my years of drinking I've never had a cork tainted bottle, bucking the odds in a fairly significant way. I have to give this a split decision, the negative coming solely from what I believe is a closure issue.

As a Cosmic Lattice of Coincidence aside, "Heart of Gold: Neil Young Live" was on tv when I sat down with the bottle. What are the odds?

"I've got my life of complication here to sort out
I'll take myself to an east coast city and walk about"
-Camera Obscura
"Lloyd, I'm Ready to Be Heartbroken"

Jings, but this is a wonderful wine. Hot on the heels of my all out confessional love letter to the Pierre Chermette Domaine du Vissoux Beaujolais Vieilles Vignes Cuvee Traditionnelle (aka the Lazy Bon Temperature Roll Hey! wine) we have the introduction of the 7th chord (for you musically inclined) version of the Gamay. Pours purple, telling me good times are coming. The first thing I notice in the nose is a bit more "seriousness". A hint of tannin is that? Sure is, the taste confirms. There's a bit of acid in there too. A slightly more wistful in the taste. This is not popping the top off and letting the sun shine, this is more let's sit on the porch while the sun is going down and we are here and it is now and how long do we really have on this wee blue dot I sure don't know but we've got now and we've got this bottle. Made me think of the pure pop songs that are modified by a brief minor chord and/or 7th chord. Thought of the bands Heavenly, Camera Obscura, and Belle & Sebastian right away.

There a real celebratory element to this taste but it's held in check, ever so slightly by the structural elements. The truly amazing thing was how the wine just kept evolving over the course of the session. A good two hours (the wheels of progress grinding slow and fine on this particular occasion) kept revealing new flavors (did violets just appear and then wink out of sight?) and the elements really came into a harmonious oneness. I'm very excited by this contrast to the Chermette. It's as if the same song was played by two different bands and you love them both. Two thumbs up. Drink now through the end of side two.

This had a screw cap too but no problems there whatsoever.



I'm one for paying more attention to what's in the bottle than what is on the bottle but I have to say the Día de los Muertos style art really fits.

[Jenise]

At the risk of egging you on--no, make that hoping to egg you on--I have to say: God, I love your tasting notes. They're always so much fun. Will you come to my next party?

At the risk of egging you on--no, make that hoping to egg you on--I have to say: God, I love your tasting notes. They're always so much fun. Will you come to my next party?

If you're buyin' the wine, I'll be there with lampshade on. Mind taxi fare will be a bit steep.

Kelly, Where did you buy these? I have had difficulty finding ESJ in this area. Maybe I am just not shopping at the right stores.

I contacted the distributor and they directed me to Ace Beverage ( 3301 New Mexico Ave NW http://www.acebevdc.com/ ). It's over by American University. I've had many folks recommend Ace to me for not just selection but being some of the nicest folks in town. Not being the expert but I didn't just fall off the banana boat either, I'd say the selection is very good given the shops small size, stronger in some areas than others (CA strong, Alsace weak), and the proprietor is, well, Aces. It's been noted that amongst store owners in the city the crew here go above and beyond to get what you want if they don't have it. if you were headed over to Addy Bassin's/MacArthur this is not that far away and worth the stop. I will say it probably suits city folk a bit better since the strength is being able to order things as opposed to have a warehouse of stuff on site, not that there wasn't plenty to choose from. Someone bought several cases worth of Stag's Leap Wine Cellars and other high end CA stuff while I was there. They had it stashed somewhere. This is the second time I've been in a shop when someone has spent my decades worth of wine budget in one go. I need a new job.

I have had difficulty finding ESJ in this area.

MacArthur often has them. I've bought bottles of the Rocks & Gravel and Wylie-Fenaughty there. You can always check on their website and order before heading over there to save you a trip if they're out. The only place I've ever found the Bone-Jolly locally was at Cleveland Park wines (on Connecticut, across from the Uptown). I'll have to check out Ace sometime.

[David M. Bueker]

Kelly,

Not that I want to turn this into a closure thread, but I have not run into reduction in any of Steve's screw cap closed wines to date. That sampling includes both of the wines that you tasted, as well as a few others. I have run into several cork issues in the past, so overall I am thrilled to see Steve going to alternatives.

Following on, but back to the wines, I echo your appreciation of the 2008 Bone-Jolly. I've only had the '08 once, but it just continues the wonderful run for this bottling. Steve also makes a second Gamay bottling called Porphyry which is well worth seeking out, though 2008 will be the final version of this second bottling (thereafter blended into the Bone-Jolly). Also be on the lookout for the '09 Bone-Jolly Rose whch is coming soon to a theater near you.

Kelly,

Not that I want to turn this into a closure thread, but I have not run into reduction in any of Steve's screw cap closed wines to date. That sampling includes both of the wines that you tasted, as well as a few others. I have run into several cork issues in the past, so overall I am thrilled to see Steve going to alternatives.

Following on, but back to the wines, I echo your appreciation of the 2008 Bone-Jolly. I've only had the '08 once, but it just continues the wonderful run for this bottling. Steve also makes a second Gamay bottling called Porphyry which is well worth seeking out, though 2008 will be the final version of this second bottling (thereafter blended into the Bone-Jolly). Also be on the lookout for the '09 Bone-Jolly Rose whch is coming soon to a theater near you.

As far as #1 I don't know what to say other than closure is the only issue I can point to. It's the same exact fault in all of the wines I noted above. No issue with the Bone Jolly. I've been very happy with almost all of my other screw cap encounters. Maybe this bottle wasn't handled well? Again this is probably a separate discussion.

I will definitely be seeking out the Porphyry. Hell I'm going to see out all of the ESJ I can find.

MacArthur often has them. I've bought bottles of the Rocks & Gravel and Wylie-Fenaughty there. You can always check on their website and order before heading over there to save you a trip if they're out. The only place I've ever found the Bone-Jolly locally was at Cleveland Park wines (on Connecticut, across from the Uptown). I'll have to check out Ace sometime.

If you visit Cleveland park Wines don't forget to stop by Weygandt's new shop on the next block north (in the former Blockbuster space). I've been spending money there like it's going out of style.

If you visit Cleveland park Wines don't forget to stop by Weygandt's new shop on the next block north (in the former Blockbuster space). I've been spending money there like it's going out of style.

I was there once for a Blaufrankisch tasting and purchased a case (mixed). It's a great addition to the area and nice to get a full selection of his wines. Though the prices are a bit steep, especially considering he's selling direct (for example, Vissoux's Traditionelle sells for $2 or $3 cheaper at MacArthur). But there's no doubt I'll be going back.

Speaking of ESJ, since you live in the District, you should just order direct from Steve and have him ship them to you. I wish I could do that.

[James Roscoe]

You can't find ESJ in MD for love or money. I am interested to hear it is available in town. I don't get over to the any of the shops mentioned due to the atrocious traffic. It sounds like I may have to screw myself up and fight my way over to that area.

On another note is anyone up for an offline in the middle of April?