MOCOOL Thursday & Friday

My life has been crazy since returning from MOCOOL, so I apologize for for the lag. I will finish my notes regarding the Saturday picnic and post them in the near future. Overall, there were way too many wines to taste, let alone report on.

TASTING NOTES

Of course, I went to MOCOOL this year with the best of intentions to take notes, but I did not do a very good job. However, I will offer up what I have. There were some great Zins at the Noland Cabin on Thursday, including a Ridge Geyserville that I loved (missed the vintage). Mike Hughes' grilled tuna was a great hit, (with Donnhoff) as were Bob Noland's crab cakes and Julia's chicken liver paté and terrine.

Friday night at Joel & Sally's was fantastic, as usual. Two that stood out for me were:
1999 Alfred Gratien Champagne – good mousse, fine bubbles, hint of green hue, Chardonnay fruit with a touch of earthiness and a very long finish.
2011 21-Brix Dry Riesling – Joel heard of this wine through a friend and wine judge, who raved about it. It won the Chairmans Award at the Riverside International. Joel asked me if I would be passing near the 21 Brix Winery, and, if so, could I pick up a few bottles for him. The winery is located near Westfield, NY (home of Welch's), along Lake Erie, close to the PA border, and it was not much out of my way while driving to MOCOOL. This was a stunning Riesling – pale almost no color (I'm guessing whole cluster pressing) and very aromatic. There seemed to be a very slight sweetness on the palate (I'd guess no more than about 0.6% RS) but balanced with a bracing acidity leading to a very long, full finish. Outstanding!
Leonard Oakes Steampunk Cider – 6% ABV – crown cap, refreshing, frothy – decent hard cider
For curiosity, I opened 4 Cab Francs to compare.
2008 Barboursville Cabernet Franc – My B-I-L picked up 4 bottles of this for me at the winery last month – deep color, pencil shavings, full long finish – nice - B
Domaine Guion Bourgueil Cuvee Domaine 2006 – (Dale Williams sent me this to compare with the next wine) – nice deep color, funky nose, but it did not come across in the mouth. Long, full finish with good acidity – B.
2010 Hart Bordertown Red – (70% Cab Franc; 30% Merlot) - Long, full finish with good acidity. Similar to the Guion, but no funk. – B.
2005 Hart Cabernet Franc – One of my last two bottles of this. I was surprised that this wine has developed the funk similar to the Guion over time. Interesting – B.

'98 Ridge Geyserville was Thursday - courtesy Geo if not mistaken. Thanks for the notes. I didn't do ANY.

[James Roscoe]

We will be there for Thursday next year! Anyone who has not attended MoCool needs to attend.

Great notes Howie!

Thanks for putting this up, Howie. Thursday was an intimate little gathering of organizers and some cabin folk who were merely 'priming the pump' for the big events on Friday and Saturday..

PrecoolThurs2012.jpg

In addition to the food that Howie mentioned, two thumbs up to Tom Noland's heavenly pasta. One abandons all hope of dieting, or maintaining a healthy liver, during MoCool weekend.

On Friday, Sally and Joel Goldberg graciously hosted a welcome party in their lovely home for people who traveled in for MoCool. Joel finessed grilling the steaks, others brought some wonderful sides, and the wine flowed once again. Thanks to OW for the 98,99,00 vertical of Vieux Telegraphe. I missed the 98, which everyone was quick to tell me was the best , but did get to enjoy the 99 and 2000. of which I preferred the former for its earthy notes. Someone else matched OWs vertical with a similar one of Pegau, but I must have been off gabbing during that. JC brought a big Tuscan, but I'm drawing a blank to recall the producer. Like Howie, I found it difficult to chat, eat, drink, make merry, AND take notes...where's John Fiola in this? He should chime in.

You have seen the rave reviews about the MoCool picnic and wines on the SuperBBBBBs thread, and viewed the many pictures and videos on Facebook. Next year, you really need to experience it in person!

I must add my thanks to Julia B. and Mike Hughes (as well as Tom N), and Joel and Sally, and chef Alan,

As a first time Mocooler the event completely exceeded my expectations. Not only was almost everyone warm and gracious (beginning with Julia, Mike, Joel and Sally), but the wines were absolutely unprecedented. I could not believe the range and quality of wines I got to try. As Sam Platt said elsewhere, it showed unparalleled generosity on the part of all (including Dale Williams who did not even attend).

In the service of giving people an idea of what could be had, as well as in the hope of receiving corrections (and better tasting notes than my own), as taken by others, I am pasting in below a list of wines (some with brief comments) that I drank Fri and Sat PM. These are basically all from memory (written down after each event), and, almost unbelievably, they omit a large number of wines that I personally did not taste.



MoCool 2012 Winetastings

Friday Night
1) 2010 Gueguen Chablis Fouchaume—nice, though young, everything it should be, good fruit and cut
2) Schlumberger Grand Cru
3) Savennieres (producer?)
3a) 2002 Corton Clos du Roi, Remoissenet
4) *1975 Clos du Val; amazingly well preserved and ready to drink—not a collectors item. A fine example of their style.
5) 1997 Broman Cabernet Sauvignon—good truffle/mushroom nose, as well as cedar, with still decent fruit—not as tannic as last time; drinking well.
6) **1999 (91?) Dominus from magnum, one of my WOTN’s. Really hitting its sweetspot. Some fruit still hanging on, but big tannins and high acid, now somehow resolved in a harmonious whole.
7) *2001 Caymus S. S. To my palate still a baby, but everything was there: depth of fruit, balance; just needs time. (It seems as if the S.S is still in older style; none of the cloying blueberry flavors here.)
8) 87 Chave Hermitage
9) 1995 Jaboulet Hermitage La Chappelle
10) 1995 Colombier Hermitage
a)* One of these two wines was my other red WOTN (I think it was the Jaboulet, but I may be wrong. Well-rounded dark fruit with an extraordinarily long, complex finish).

Saturday Afternoon—Main Tasting

1) Champagnes
a) Dom Perignon 1990(?): sweeter than I expected; crystalline structure; powerful, seemed young—my first Dom P, not familiar with the style
b) **Taittinger 2002; yeasty, complex, a delight
c) Barnaut Brut N.V
d) *Barnaut Rose N. V Lovely, great version of rose champagne imho

2) Whites
a) Burgundy
2010 Niellon Chassagne-Montrachet; a pleasure, though young

b) German
2001 Joh. Jos. Prum Graacher Himmelreich Spatlese
2009 Donhoff Oberhauser Brucke Auslese
special bottle available only at auction
My first time with these—both truly extraordinary; complex, mineral, enormous amount going on; made me understand the fascination

3) Red Burgundy
1) 1967 Gevrey-Chambertin Lavaux (surprisingly lively!)
2) 1983 Faiveley Latricieres-Chambertin (corked, I fear)
3) *1992 Clos Vougeout V.V. Misset (lively, intense, good minerality and length; never heard of this producer before)
4) 1995 Pascal Gevrey-Chambertin Clos Prieur (another unknown producer)
5) *1996 Domaine Germaine Bourgogne (Still good fruit, alive and intense)
6) *1997 Gevrey Chambertin Raphet (almost syrupy, but surprisingly powerful, interesting overtones of briar)
7) 1997 Camus Latriciere-Chambertin
8) 1997 Maume Charme-Chambertin (still a little closed, not as evolved, needed to open)
9) 2000 Aloxe Corton Chateau Aloxe Corton
10) 2004 NSG Gouge (a little green, but powerful, minerality on the edges)
11) *2004 Mortet G.V.C. Mes Cinq Terroirs (still powerful, almost a streak of blood, something sauvage, with classic dark Gevrey fruit)
12) 2005 Volnay Jacques Prieur Santenot 1cru (very high-toned, roses, almost perfumed, at first too delicate, closed, but continued to improve, real depth, still too young?)
13) 2008 Bouchard Beaune Clos de la Mousse

4) Red Bordeaux
A) Montrose
1) 1966 Great nose, bricking but still some red, drinking quite well
2) 1970 Cloudy, bretty, weak (might be bottle variation)
3) 1975 Signature bordeaux, right in its prime (thanks to Dale!)
4) 1979 *Drinking quite well now, good acid but not too much
5) ***1982 Amazing wine: big, bold, tannins are resolved but residual richness of chocolate, tobacco, and smoke alongside stunning fresh, but not at all jammy fruit; the total package.
6) *1986 Big bold, but still backward, slight trace of iron or sauvage, but needs time
7) 1990** Very strong full, cocoa, more fruit forward, a delight, but not, IMHO, the 1982
8) 1996 Graphite in the nose, drinking well
9) 1997 Nice
10)1999 (Magnum)
11) 2000 *Minty intriguing nose, followed by full complex fruit, showing some of the iron of the 1986
12) 2002
13) 2004 Good nose, earth in the mouth along w/the usual fruit
14) 2006 (Magnum) Decanted five hours, shows promise, good balance, streak of iron, dark fruits, but still tightly wound


B) Other Red Bordeaux
1) 1929 Marquis-de-Terme
2) 1955 Chateau Fougeuayrat St. Emilion
3) 1983 Lynch-Bage
4) ***1989 Lynch-Bages (powerful, tobacco, fruit is totally present and integrated)

5) Brunello

1) 2001 Casanova de Neri
2) 2001 Casanova de Neri Tenuta Nuova
Interesting comparison; the first subtler, more interesting; the latter, more heavily oaked, fruitier; tasted again among others, the second stood out
3) 2001 (?) * Abbadia Ardenga Brunello di Montalcino Vigna Piaggia I had never heard of this wine and I am not sure of the vintage, but it really stood out for me: solid, complex.

6) Barolo
1) 1978 Giacomo Borgogno Riserva (corked, sadly)
2) 1996 Azelia San Rocco—was showing well, nice rose petals on the nose and tar in mouth
3) 1997 Joel’s; I found impressive, but don’t remember producer.
4) 2001 Prunetto Barolo Bussia

Wow! Someday I will definitely have to come to MoCool.

Josh, how was that '29 Marquis de Terme?

[James Roscoe]

Ryan, thank you for sending us Josh he was a great addition! Now you really HAVE to come.

a few additions to Josh's notes (mainly wines).

On Friday, it was '91 Dominus from magnum. Many thought it was their WOTN (mine too, but I was biased since it was my bottle), although I missed many of the great Rhônes that got open Friday so maybe not a complete comparison for WOTN.

On Saturday, it was the '90 Dom Perignon. It was much more fruit forward than many other DP's I've been able to enjoy over the years (thanks to my uncle, Mr. DP). But, pretty much close to optimal drinking age for me for that bottle.

There was also '89 Montrose.... which would be a superb Bordeaux on its own, but with '82 and '90 tasted nearby, became 3rd best out of those. I enjoyed the '86, but agree that it had many of the '86 hallmarks: still visible tannins but just about there otherwise. Jay said it grew a bit more since he poured a few glasses in his decanter and held it for another hour or so.

It was tough for me to say which between the '82 and '90 was my favorite. The '82 was just about at perfect peak.... still rich fruit, great balance but having some mature tobacco and as Josh said, smoke intermixed. Did I say it was superb? While the '90 seemed baby-ish in comparison.... only some of the maturity the '82 showed at the edges. There were still some tannins buried underneath all its fruit. I'll see the '90 again as I own some, but no '82s (thanks Guido for your last '82!).

That '29 Marquis-de-Terme was absolutely AMAZING (thanks to Rich!). While certainly mature on the nose but showing some fruit amongst the mature tobacco and smoke notes, the palate had remarkable cassis and cherry flavors. Certainly no powerhouse, but extraordinarily alive with interest to have another (albeit brief) sip. While the finish wasn't incredibly long, it was still flavorful and hung in there for a while. I believe this is my oldest wine (certainly Bordeaux) to pass my lips.

While I didn't get to the '89 Lynch Bages on Saturday, have opened 2 bottles over the last 2-3 years, and it has been firing on all cylinders each time. Pretty much roaring to go.

As always, thanks to ALL.

Mike

Holey Smokes,Josh! I want to take whatever B vitamin you're taking for memory! That is very impressive!!
Thanks for posting details...how else will we ever convince people that this is THE event they should attend every year?
Good work!

JB

Wow! Someday I will definitely have to come to MoCool.

Josh, how was that '29 Marquis de Terme?

I’m not sure I liked the Marquis de Terme quite as much as Mike, but it was certainly an extraordinary opportunity, and the wine, as Mike said, was drinking quite well, as were so many of the older bottlings Richard brought (including the 75 Clos du Val I mentioned.)

Many thanks to him, and to Mike C, and Jay, James, Marwan,Jay, and Dave (Guido) and so many others who brought these remarkable wines. As I said, really unparalleled generosity. I felt lucky to be there. So, yes, Ryan, very definitely you should come.

And, thanks, Julia,
The wines definitely made an impression! (I also rechecked a few on the photos. I remain mystified by some of the Burgundies that I listed and do not know. I would love to hear more from those familiar with them. Ditto for those who can fill out the Barolo and Brunello entries.)

Josh, Good getting together with you again.
I missed seeing the Gueguen Chablis Fourchaume at Joel and Sally's party. That is one of my favorite Chablis producers.
The Super Tuscan I brought was the 2008 Tenuta Sette Ponti Oreno--more Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot than Sangiovese. i liked it well enough to seek out more to purchase in other vintages.
Already looking forward to next year.
I'm not going to stay overnight at the Pinehurst Wine Festival this year over Labor Day weekend, but I am attending two events on Sunday--a Pinot Noir tasting with Pinots from New Zealand and Oregon, Sonoma Coast, and Santa Maria Valley, CA and the Culinary Showcase, a competition for chefs from the Sandhills region of North Carolina with food samples and wines
I also attended a "Wine Enthusiast" magazine/Ruth's Chris Steak House dinner in Raleigh last Thursday and will try to post my notes later today or tomorrow. There was a drawing from our place cards and I won some Riedel stemware which I can use.

OK, so where are all the photos eh!!

Josh, Good getting together with you again.

Yes, great seeing you again as well, JC,

And thanks for all the navigating. I would never have made it to Joel's (or probably the picnic) without you!

Till next time,
Josh

Thanks to everyone who came and brought whatever. There are so many good people to go with the great wine! It surprises me in a way that some notes could be taken, as so many of us, gasp, swallowed. Truly, this is the hilight of any year that I am able to attend.

Sounds like such a great event, and makes me sad I couldn't make it.

Did anyone get an official count of the wines at the picnic? I know that there were 71 wines on Friday night. My attempt to count the wines on Saturday ended at 97 when I got distracted by the opening of a 1981 Climens.

OK, so where are all the photos eh!!

As Howie posted in the SuperBBBBBs thread, there are plenty of photos on Facebook here:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/mocool/

I hope this opens for you.

I know it's shocking but not everyone uses facebook (or bought his stock).
It sounds like you had a very nice party.
Gary

And not everyone is on WLDG. The FB MoCool page has some good memories.

And not everyone is on WLDG. The FB MoCool page has some good memories.

OK, so where are all the photos eh!!

As Howie posted in the SuperBBBBBs thread, there are plenty of photos on Facebook here:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/mocool/

I hope this opens for you.

Thanks but not on/in Facebook!!

Bob and Gary,
I'm sorry, I thought you could link it via the link I posted even if not a FB member. I'll try to post some here, later.

JB

Believe me, I tried to sign for Facebook but did not understand all the mumbo-jumbo. I am computer illiterate!

IMG_5904.JPG

IMG_5904.JPG

The original organizers receiving commemorative garden stones for their years of service. From left to right: Dave Guimond, Mary Aseltine, Joel and Sally Goldberg, Cindy and Jay Baldwin. Not present was Clay Johnson and his wife Cindy. The Goldbergs and Baldwins were actually the founding parents of MoCool , to whom all kudos go.
[img]

IMG_5904.JPG

[/img]

More MoCool

IMG_5904.JPG