WTN: Livin' large

2005 Tête, Juliénas:
Sappy, lively, elegant, layered, supple wine that has character and lots of fruit and length. It’s a little early on the drinking curve but it’s so tasty it’s difficult to stay away from. Imported by Louis/Dressner and about $18; worth more.

2002 Luneau-Papin, Muscadet Clos des Allées:
As usual, deeper, more viscous and fleshy than most Muscadet; also beautifully integrated and detailed with a finish forever and terrific cut. A truly great wine in every sense of the word. Imported by Louis/Dressner and $7 on sale; worth multiples of that.

1999 Nigl, Saivignon Blanc:
Austrian sauvignon that smells like perm solution and tastes similar, although not as bad. I have had other bottles of this that have been lovely. I’ll leave it in the fridge awhile and see if it changes. Imported by Michael Skurnick wines and about $24 on release; judgment reserved.

2004 Anselmi, Capitel Foscarino:
Soave with bite; all garganega, no wood and so fresh and lively in the mouth it even pairs with fresh tomatoes, yet there is also depth of flavor and good sustain, making this one very versatile and delicious wine. Imported by Palm Bay Imports and about $17; I’d buy it again at that price.

1999 Gilles Robin, Crozes-Hermitage Cuvée Albéric Bouvet:
Smokey bacon, black raspberries, garrigue and mineral nose that is so complex its hard to stop smelling it; flavors follow the nose with some depth, excellent complexity, a silken texture, a solid structure and an endlessly layered finish. No evidence of brett here and this was just singing. Côte-Rôtie, move over. Imported by Eric Solomon and about $9 on sale; worth multiples.

Best, Jim

[Jenise]

$9 on sale for the Gilles Robin? Good catch.

[David M. Bueker]

While I am not a Sauv Blanc fan by any stretch, all the "older" Austrian versions I have tried left me not only cold but repulsed. I don't think it ages...at all.

Nice notes.

I like Austrian SB, but better young.

Nice note on the Foscarino. Unfortunately, around here I onlu usually see the $9 San Vincenzo (which I like) and the $15-20 Croce (which I don't).

Nice note on the Foscarino. Unfortunately, around here I onlu usually see the $9 San Vincenzo (which I like) and the $15-20 Croce (which I don't).

The Croce is aged in wood - and therein lies a world of difference.
Best, Jim

$9 on sale for the Gilles Robin? Good catch.

I'm convinced Florida Jim bought the entire U.S. allocation. I've never seen this bottling on sale anywhere and, while I haven't been counting, it seems as though this is the 142nd note he's posted on it.

Probably a good idea not to play Monopoly or Robber Barons with him.

Bruce,
Seven cases and two mags. Had I the sense God gave a chicken, I'd have bought more.
Best, Jim

Seven cases and two mags.

OK, I overestimated. But not by much!

Had I the sense God gave a chicken, I'd have bought more.

But if you were a chicken, you'd be coq au vin.


Anyway, if I missed out on the deal of the millennium in Northern Rhone syrah, at least I can live vicariously through your notes. Thanks for posting. And thanks for being a model, at least in terms of cornering the market and consuming great value wine, to which we can all aspire.

And thanks for being a model, at least in terms of cornering the market and consuming great value wine, to which we can all aspire.

'Careful what you wish for.
Best, Jim

[David M. Bueker]

I have had the opportunity to taste the '99 Crozes with Jim. It made German Riesling seem flabby. Has the acidity calmed down Jim?

David,
I never thought it was too out of wack but time has certainly mellowed this wine.
Best, Jim

Jim Wrote:1999 Nigl, Saivignon Blanc:
Austrian sauvignon that smells like perm solution and tastes similar, although not as bad. I have had other bottles of this that have been lovely. I’ll leave it in the fridge awhile and see if it changes. Imported by Michael Skurnick wines and about $24 on release; judgment reserved.

Jim, just as a matter of confusion...a sauvignon costing $24, that was not anymore enjoyable as this one was not? why would you just not write it off, rather than reserving judgment?

Straight garganega. Oh, yeah. I want some of that!

Jim, just as a matter of confusion...a sauvignon costing $24, that was not anymore enjoyable as this one was not? why would you just not write it off, rather than reserving judgment?

Because other bottles of the same wine have been excellent.
Maybe I was in a bad place, or it was, or its closed, or . . .
I don't want to judge too quickly, especially when I have enjoyed other bottles before.
Best, Jim

Because other bottles of the same wine have been excellent.Maybe I was in a bad place, or it was, or its closed, or . . .
I don't want to judge too quickly, especially when I have enjoyed other bottles before. Best, Jim

An excellent answer Jim. I guess I am of a thought that >$20 for Sb and I take a very critical view of the wine. I do not buy Cloudy Bay (and others) anymore because I think it's price has outstripped it's value.

Because other bottles of the same wine have been excellent.Maybe I was in a bad place, or it was, or its closed, or . . .
I don't want to judge too quickly, especially when I have enjoyed other bottles before. Best, Jim

An excellent answer Jim. I guess I am of a thought that >$20 for Sb and I take a very critical view of the wine. I do buy Cloudy Bay (and others)anymore because I think it's price has outstripped it's value.

Bob,
I went back to it last night.
It sucks.
Best, Jim

[David M. Bueker]

My bet is that the '99 Nigl SB is dead. Austria makes no claim to be the Loire.