Cracked this last night to go w/ my leftovers:
1. Forlorn-Hope CheninBlanc RorickVnyd/CalaverasCnty (13.37%; 125 cs; InaugralVintage) 2015: Light yellow color; bit reduced/funky at first that rapidly blows off. very fragrant/perfumed fairly mineral/chalky/perfumed talc bright floral/CB/carnations/gardenias somewhat Loire-like beautifully aromatic nose; quite tart/tangy/bit metallic very juicy CB/floral/gardenias rather chalky/mineral/perfumed talc beautiful bright/zippy/electrifying/prismatic (??) flavor; very long bright/juicy/mineral/chalky/perfumed talc rather floral/CB/gardenias electrifying/vibrant/laser-sharp CB finish; one of the best Calif CB's I've had since the Chalone OV '07; you can't resist going back for a 2'nd-3'rd-9'th glass until all of a sudden the btl is gone/gone; it has a good/balanced acidity and minerality w/o straying into tutti-fruity land. $32.00
____________________
A wee BloodyPulpit:
1. Wow...just wow!! I hate wines like this...wines that are so tasty and good that you keep going back for another glass. As I worked on paperwork afore dinner, I would get up and go back for another glass. By the time my leftovers were heated up, the friggin' btl was empty...empty, I tell you. I hate wines like this.
Given the alcohol (13.37%), I was expecting a soft tutti-fruity sort of CB. But the acidity carried the day for this wine and it seemed in great balance. They should be making more CB's like this in Calif. I doubt Loire CB fans will be converted to this wine because it lacks that bracing/steely/eviscerated minerality you find in those wines...but they'll probably acknowledge it's pretty good....for Calif.
Matt is coming to LosAlamos (we'll show him that it's just as exciting as all those NYC trips) to do a Pig+Fig Forlorn-Hope dinner Jan 21. We must include this wine in that dinner.
Tom
.