WTN: Harrington, Auntsfield, Jaboulet

[Jenise]

I've been sick for the better part of two weeks, a cold that persisted until it finally became obvious that what lingered was no longer the cold but a sinus infection along the way. My sense of smell came and went like a tide, and alone I taste but don't neccessarily finish anything I open.


2018 Harrington Sagrantino Calleri Vineyard San Benito County
Too acidic for a Pop 'n Pour on Friday, and too dull and muddy for a glass on Sunday. These were nice/fun around 2022, but the fun's over. Dumped it.

2024 Auntsfield Sauvignon Blanc Single Vineyard Marlborough
Opened this last Wed night to test my sense of smell: none. But on Friday when things came back and I actually made a real dinner for once (smoked pork chops, steamed Chinese cauliflower, mustard-tarragon pan sauce), this was splendid: intense, complex, white Bordeauxish herbaceous nose with body to match on the palate. Exudes class--it got 96 pts from a tough NZ reviewer, and I can see why. Definitely not your run-of-the-mill NZ SB.

2015 Paul Jaboulet Aîné Côte-Rôtie Domaine des Pierrelles Syrah
Opened over a week ago on a night where I felt good enough to grill a steak. Though it drank well on the fly a few years ago, it's now a reluctant wine that over the course of a week had trouble achieving the balance between acidity and fruit. No oxidation whatsoever, though, and it put on weight. On its way to a good place but needs more time.

[David M. Bueker]

Hope you are truly on the mend!

Thanks, I'd never heard of Pierrelles as a Jaboulet bottling, but looks like it's been around since 2009.
Glad the sinus infection is better, hope stomach too!

[Jenise]

This cold+sinus problem is going on a bit too long, but I never had Covid and haven't had a cold in six years so I really can't complain, just want it over. I finally put myself on a few days of anti-biotic because I have travel plans and I need it GONE. Cross your fingers for me!

I am a big fan of Jaboulet and also of Cote Rotie, but I have never particularly liked the Jaboulet Cote Roties. I cellar none of their CRs and prefer those from producers like Jamet, Barge, Clusel-Roche, Gaillard and Xavier Girard. I don't recall seeing that Jaboulet wine before in the wine stores here but part of that may be pricing - they range from a low of just under $100 a bottle to highs of $700+ a bottle for Guigals etc.

PS - maybe we should do a Northern Rhone lunch theme soon?

[Jenise]

This was maybe the 3rd bottle from a case purchased about five years ago. The first couple were very good, this one was just in an awkward stage. I love C-R and had enough confidence in Jaboulet to bite when I had the chance to buy these for half price when a local distributor dumped the line. I'll be very happy with the remaining bottles--eventually. Sure, Bill, re Northern Rhone! Any time. Btw, was a theme selected for November?

Sorry to hear about the health woes, Jenise. I've been shaking a cold for a couple of weeks, too, but no sinus infection, thankfully.