Scholium Project Tasting NYC 9/7

Abe decided to do (in my opinion) a very innovative barrel tasting in NYC. His wines are not reviewed (by choice) and are extremely distinct and unique. So he decided to do hold a "barrell" tasting in NYC and also at the Winery prior to his next mailing list release to let his mailing list members decide if they like the wines for themselves. He sent out an invite a week or so ago for a tasting last night in NYC and received over 200 RSVP's. He packed ~60 people into a very hot loft in the Lower East Side. As only Abe can do he launched into a dynamic lecture/sermon on his vineyard sources, his winemaking philosophies his successes and failures. It was a very honest, informative and educational experience. The wines are all awesome but very different. I loved both of the Sauvignon Blancs, particularly on this night I loved the LSB. The 2006 San Floriano Del Collio Reserve was my favorite but not because it was the best wine; rather because of its uniqueness - it is a freak show and I like Freak Shows! The Bricco Babelico was also stunning. The Androkteinos is stunning for those who like bigger styled wines with fruit but still want some blood, earth and rocks.

All in all it was an incredible event and nice to see Abe getting the positive reponses to his wines without doing it the conventional way.

Wines Poured

2009 La Severità di Bruto – Farina Vineyards (Sauvignon Blanc)
2009 Prince in His Caves – Farina Vineyards (Skin fermented Sauvignon Blanc)
2009 Riquewihr – Lost Slough Vineyards (Gewurtz)
2009 Bokisch Ranches MSL Reserve (partially skin fermented Verdelho)
2008 Choephori – Los Olivos Vineyard (Chardonnay)
2006 San Floriano Del Collio Reserve – Rocky Hill Vineyards (Skin Fermented Pinot Grigio)
2008 Gardens of Babylon (50% Petite Sirah, Mourvedre, Merlot & Syrah)
2007 Bricco Babelico - Tenbrinks (Special barrel selectioins of Petite Sirah)
2008 Androkteinos – Hudson Vineyards (Syrah from the widowmaker block)
2008 Babylon – Tenbrink Vineyards (Petite Sirah

Disclaimer - Abe is a friend and I am a small partner in a French winery that he is also a small partner in but I have zero economic interest in Scholium Project just a HUGE and PASSSIONATE SUPPORTER.

Got the email - would have liked to attend, but glad you guys enjoyed it.
What did you make of the Riquewihr? I remember being stunned by the bottle you had opened at Il Corso some time back, that's a wine I'd like to seek out more of in the future (along with Naucratis).

Got the email - would have liked to attend, but glad you guys enjoyed it.
What did you make of the Riquewihr? I remember being stunned by the bottle you had opened at Il Corso some time back, that's a wine I'd like to seek out more of in the future (along with Naucratis).

I got there late and only tasted a warm bottle...lots of minderality and crazy minerality. I would check out another bottle to see if it is to your liking.

There is another tasting on Thursday that you might be able to get into to.

[Jenise]

Robert, do his whites age? I was offered a 2006 SB yesterday....

Robert, do his whites age? I was offered a 2006 SB yesterday....

Yes. Extremely well. I have buying them from the very beginning and still have his first white the 2000 Les Tenebres and his second white 2002 Sylphs. I had an 2004 Glos (Sauvignon Blanc) a few weeks ago and it was aging very well. As long as it has been stored I think it should be good but slightly different than on release.

Also I neglected to mention that Jay Hack and I are organizing an all Scholium offline in NYC on November 1st. Please let me know if anyone is interested.

[Jenise]

Robert, do his whites age? I was offered a 2006 SB yesterday....

Yes. Extremely well. I have buying them from the very beginning and still have his first white the 2000 Les Tenebres and his second white 2002 Sylphs. I had an 2004 Glos (Sauvignon Blanc) a few weeks ago and it was aging very well. As long as it has been stored I think it should be good but slightly different than on release.

Thanks, I'll add it to my order. Got the Babylon PS and one other, too--these will be my first SPs and I'm most excited to try these wines.

Robert, do his whites age? I was offered a 2006 SB yesterday....

Yes. Extremely well. I have buying them from the very beginning and still have his first white the 2000 Les Tenebres and his second white 2002 Sylphs. I had an 2004 Glos (Sauvignon Blanc) a few weeks ago and it was aging very well. As long as it has been stored I think it should be good but slightly different than on release.

Thanks, I'll add it to my order. Got the Babylon PS and one other, too--these will be my first SPs and I'm most excited to try these wines.

Where did you get the Babylon? Blicker Pierce has a closeout on the 2005 for half of the mailing list prices ($40 vs $80). It is a big wine that needs lots of decanting.

[Jenise]

That's where I got it, Robert, and they had a single bottle of the SB so I nabbed it too.

Thanks Robert for posting this, good to see you here. I got the email, but had a family obligation. I would have liked to go, just because I've enjoyed Abe's comments and philosophy. The wines have been mixed for my palate, but all certainly interesting. I've also enjoyed some wines from "associated" projects, like Courier.