WTN: Drinks

1998 Chat. Couhins-Lurton, Pessac-Leognan:
100% sauvignon blanc; past it - smells and tastes like sour apples. This wine was way too oaky most of its life and is now starting to oxidize and fall apart. Sad.
IMO, poorly made.

2008 Picq, Chablis:
12.5%, $21; very closed and almost shrill at refrigerator temp.; better as it warms but I am into this bottle too early or else it doesn’t have much stuffing. Smells of rocks, tastes of lemons - tart.

2007 Puffeney, Pinot Noir:
Very lifted nose (maybe a touch of VA? But it blows off) and rustic with considerable power; pretty angular. Time in the decanter is its friends as it starts to knit together. Some talcum powder in the nose; lots of iron and hard fruit on the palate. A wine in need of ten years in the cellar. About $30.
Good with rare steak.

2009 Abrente, Albarino:
This is a collaboration between Morgan Twain-Peterson and Michael Havens - and it is not to be missed. The vineyard is Stewart Ranch, one of the few outcroppings of limestone in CA, and the style is bright, fresh and vibrant. 13% alcohol, beautiful, full flavors of Albarino with excellent acids and lovely balance. ‘Needs a year or two to bring the nose up to the palate but an absolutely lovely wine at cellar temperature. Do not over-chill. About $16, full retail. Really delicious.
And another feather in the cap of Morgan who is about to blow us all away in the wine world. A winery to watch.

2007 Donkey and Goat, Syrah Mendocino:
Needs an hour or so in the decanter as it comes out of the bpttle angular and somewhat acidic; after airing this is a beautiful, balanced and silky CA syrah without artifice or spoof. Some complexity, pure flavors that are varietally correct and a fine finish. 13.7% alcohol and a pleasure to drink with dinner.

1999 Barthod, Chambolle-Musigny Fuees:
I hereby take back all the hard things I said about this producer - this wine was stellar - still young but packed with minerals, earth, fruit and spice - complex and changing over the course of the evening. Ver well balanced, more open than any wine from this producer I have had and deeply concentrated. But best of all, this wine is more about its savory qualities then some explosion of fruit - its a beautiful reflection of itsplace and time and a joy to drink.

2000 St. Innocent, Pinot Noir Shea Vnyd.:
Past peak; begining that slide toward vinegar but at a very slow rate. Interesting but not fascinating.

2004 V. Dauvissat, Chablis Les Clos:
Too much green here; green bell pepper and pyrazine on the nose and in the mouth. Unpleasant despite some underlying candied lemon and limestone notes.

Best, Jim

[David M. Bueker]

So I'm not the only one who has run across green in 2004 white wine from Burgundy (and its environs).

I had a 2004 Jadot Corton-Charlemagne last year that while not undrinkable, did have notable green notes in the mix. Of course if the ladybug taint is the reason for the greenies then it would stand to reason that the whites coulod be affected as well as the reds.

Jim, I wonder if you might have had an off bottle of the 2000 ST. Innocent Shea. The winery website recommends drinking it "Now to +3" years.

Jim, I wonder if you might have had an off bottle of the 2000 ST. Innocent Shea. The winery website recommends drinking it "Now to +3" years.

Not my bring, so that is entirely possible. And, at ten years out, I would expect some bottle variation.
Best, Jim

I found the Puffeney Pinot Noir a little angular at first as well, but it became very friendly after a little air. Liked it a lot, and I've got more that I expect I'll be opening quite soon.

Nice reading as always, sounds like that Barthod was a real delight.