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Dec 2019 - what are you drinking?

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winetarelliwinetarelliMember
mangiare posted:

Winetarelli, do you have any insight regarding the differences between La Chavaroche, Amethyste, and/or Maestria?

Unfortunately only the last 2 are currently available in our market. TIA

I’ll get back to you. Either the Amethyste or the Maestria is the exact same wine as the Journaires, just with a different label for a different market. I like that wine a lot (though the La Chavaroche has my heart) but I forget which one it is. I would say it is sometimes a little less “extreme” in its rusticity, but still is cut from the same cloth. I’m not certain if the other is a different label La Chavaroche or is a third wine, but I’ll check. 

winetarelliwinetarelliMember

Ok. The Maestria is the Journaries which I have had on a few occasions and like quite a bit. I have never had the Amethyste unless it is a different-label Chavaroche. In France La Chavaroche is sold as La Peroline. 

Confusing all of this is that almost every website says that these are all 100% Syrah wines. But I know at least La Chavaroche (and I believe the others) to be 100% Serine. (Admittedly, I believe that is officially classed as a subset of Syrah.)

mangiaremangiareMember

Just an FYI I found on thewinecellarinsider.com

Bernard Levet La Chavaroche is made from 100% Syrah planted on the Cote Brune on a terroir with granite and schist soils. The wine has a different name and label for consumers in France, where the wine is sold as Domaine Bernard Levet La Peroline. The wine takes its name from the grandmother of Agnes Levet.

Bernard Levet Amethyste is produced from 100% Syrah that comes from vines planted in both the Cote Blonde and the Cote Brune, as well as in the Baleyat, Chavaroche and Mollard lieux-dits.

A portion of the grapes are destemmed, (30-50%) never more than half of the grapes are whole bunch fermented.

The wine is aged in a combination of new and used 600 liter oak casks, of which 30% are new and oak foudres. The production ranges from 500 to 600 cases per vintage. The wine was first produced in 2006.

The vineyards are managed using self sustaining, farming methods, which are quite close to being fully organic. Bernard Levet has been HVE certified, Haute Valeur Environnementale by the Vignerons Independants de France.

To produce the wines of Bernard Levet, it is important to know they are a traditionally managed property. Most of the time, on average, no more than 50% of the grapes are destemmed.

Vinification of the berries and whole cluster fruit takes place in epoxy lined, cement tanks vats. Malolactic fermentation takes place in vat. They do not do punch downs here.

Instead, they prefer to submerge the cap using wood planks. The wines are aged in a combination of demi-muids, Alsatian and French oak barrels of which on average 15% to 30% are renewed each year. The wines are then aged on average for between 30 to 36 months before bottling.

The first part of the aging takes place in large oak casks. After about 12 months, the wine is moved to demi-muids and standard French oak barrels of which no more than 15% consists of new French oak.

Not much wine is made here. On average, today they produce between 1,000 and 1,250 cases of wine per vintage at Domaine Bernard Levet.

M machineMember

Decided it was time for a big boy dinner for 5...my place, since I'm the go-to chef:

Started by tearing into buddy's bakery's bread with some Compte (and had arm twisted into opening a 2008 Dom P as a bonus bottle to drink while waiting for latecomers).

Then caviar on blini

Then seared foie gras on toasts, drizzled with sauce of veal stock, honey, and wine vinegar

Then seared Waygu flat iron, with fries, drizzled with waygu stock reduction

Then boned rolled stuffed bacon-wrapped rabbit, with roasted veggies and peas, drizzled with rabbit stock reduction

Vino

2008 Dom P (with bread and cheese)
1998 Krug Clos du Mesnil (with caviar)
2003 d’yquem (with foie)
1982 Chateau Haut Brion
1982 Chateau Mouton Rothschild
1982 Chateau Lafite Rothschild
1982 Chateau Latour

All wines were sound and excellent, as expected...I liked all 4 reds, the pauillac reds may have had an edge over the HB (but they all changed over the evening), hard to pick a winner but if I had to it would probably be latour, at least on the palate...mouton and HB on the nose.

1998 Krug C d M was profound on opening, wish I'd finished my glass within 20-30 minutes, as it lost something after that time, but was still excellent b d b bubbly with characteristics of a great champs and a great chard.

Oh and the food turned out fairly nice also; I tried to keep it fresh and clean to prevent it interfering with enjoyment of the wine...mission accomplished, I think.

Two more quasi-epic dinners coming in the next few weeks...

winetarelliwinetarelliMember
machine posted:

Decided it was time for a big boy dinner for 5...my place, since I'm the go-to chef:

Started by tearing into buddy's bakery's bread with some Compte (and had arm twisted into opening a 2008 Dom P as a bonus bottle to drink while waiting for latecomers).

Then caviar on blini

Then seared foie gras on toasts, drizzled with sauce of veal stock, honey, and wine vinegar

Then seared Waygu flat iron, with fries, drizzled with waygu stock reduction

Then boned rolled stuffed bacon-wrapped rabbit, with roasted veggies and peas, drizzled with rabbit stock reduction

Vino

2008 Dom P (with bread and cheese)
1998 Krug Clos du Mesnil (with caviar)
2003 d’yquem (with foie)
1982 Chateau Haut Brion
1982 Chateau Mouton Rothschild
1982 Chateau Lafite Rothschild
1982 Chateau Latour

All wines were sound and excellent, as expected...I liked all 4 reds, the pauillac reds may have had an edge over the HB (but they all changed over the evening), hard to pick a winner but if I had to it would probably be latour, at least on the palate...mouton and HB on the nose.

1998 Krug C d M was profound on opening, wish I'd finished my glass within 20-30 minutes, as it lost something after that time, but was still excellent b d b bubbly with characteristics of a great champs and a great chard.

Oh and the food turned out fairly nice also; I tried to keep it fresh and clean to prevent it interfering with enjoyment of the wine...mission accomplished, I think.

Two more quasi-epic dinners coming in the next few weeks...


Sounds terrible. You should be ashamed. 

 

vinoevelovinoeveloMember

For the annual celebration of wine discovery that is the extravagance of Sherry Xmas this past weekend:

Equipo Navazos La Bota de Amontillado No. 58 Sanlucar

Hidalgo Wellington Palo Cortado 20 Years VOS

Tio Pepe Dos Palmas Fino

Tio Pepe Tres Palmas Fino

Toro Albala Marques de Poley Amontillado Viejismo Solera 1922

Vernaccia di Oristano da Davide Orro

2018 Ktima Gerovassiliou Malagousia

2001 Lopez de Heredia Rioja Reserva Blanco Tondonia

2008 Radikon Jakot

2016 Holdvolgy Vision

2017 Charles et Philippe Brand Fleurs Maceration

NV Drappier Blanc de Quatre blancs

2009 Huet Brut Reserve Vouvray Petillant

2015 Raventos i Blanc de Nit

2011 Colet Colet-Navazos Reserva Extra Brut

2016 Olienas Cannonau Riserva

2013 Elvio Cogno Barbera Pre-Phylloxera

2012 Bruno Giacosa Barbera D'Alba Falletto di Serralunga

2010 Retro Cellars Petite Sirah Howell Mountain

1997 Chateau des Jacques Moulin-a-Vent 'Champ de Cour'

2015 Raul Perez Ultreia Mencia

2008 Acustic Cellars 'acustic'

2005 Paolo Bea Rosso San Valentino (marred by some VA)

2006 Catherine & Pierre Breton St. Louans

Might have missed some in there as well.  The real standouts for me were the drappier, retro, cogno and Breton.  and ch. des jacques. and tondonia.  and mrs. VeV loved that radikon.  and really - the sherries acoss the board were stunners.   Food was great, company was outstanding.  Didnt even set a couch on fire this year.  The art wasnt bad either.

 

 

 

bmanbmanMember
vinoevelo posted:

For the annual celebration of wine discovery that is the extravagance of Sherry Xmas this past weekend:

Equipo Navazos La Bota de Amontillado No. 58 Sanlucar

Hidalgo Wellington Palo Cortado 20 Years VOS

Tio Pepe Dos Palmas Fino

Tio Pepe Tres Palmas Fino

Toro Albala Marques de Poley Amontillado Viejismo Solera 1922

Vernaccia di Oristano da Davide Orro

2018 Ktima Gerovassiliou Malagousia

2001 Lopez de Heredia Rioja Reserva Blanco Tondonia

2008 Radikon Jakot

2016 Holdvolgy Vision

2017 Charles et Philippe Brand Fleurs Maceration

NV Drappier Blanc de Quatre blancs

2009 Huet Brut Reserve Vouvray Petillant

2015 Raventos i Blanc de Nit

2011 Colet Colet-Navazos Reserva Extra Brut

2016 Olienas Cannonau Riserva

2013 Elvio Cogno Barbera Pre-Phylloxera

2012 Bruno Giacosa Barbera D'Alba Falletto di Serralunga

2010 Retro Cellars Petite Sirah Howell Mountain

1997 Chateau des Jacques Moulin-a-Vent 'Champ de Cour'

2015 Raul Perez Ultreia Mencia

2008 Acustic Cellars 'acustic'

2005 Paolo Bea Rosso San Valentino (marred by some VA)

2006 Catherine & Pierre Breton St. Louans

Might have missed some in there as well.  The real standouts for me were the drappier, retro, cogno and Breton.  and ch. des jacques. and tondonia.  and mrs. VeV loved that radikon.  and really - the sherries acoss the board were stunners.   Food was great, company was outstanding.  Didnt even set a couch on fire this year.  The art wasnt bad either.

 

 

 

But no px?  Or did I just miss it in the long list?

M machineMember
bman posted:
Bytown Rick posted:
machine posted:
Bytown Rick posted:

2006 D'Arenberg Laughing Magpie.  Lovely wine.  

Have you been dipping into Bob's cellar again?

We do have overlapping tastes in wine.  But differences too.  Which is more than fine.

 

One of these days Bob we will bring you over to the non-dark-rich-and-bold side of the anti-wine-flavour-elite.

billhikebillhikeMember
bman posted:
wineismylife posted:

2001 Château Rieussec

Perfection in a bottle. Served by itself with a Bayern Munchen win over the Spurs. Tasting note posted on CT and blogged.

Sometimes I think I'm the only one here drinking dessert wines and ports.  Then again, I don't check this thread very often. 

I love Sauternes - brought a 750 of this wine to an offline that thelostverse hosted a bit ago. I still have a 375 that I’m holding.

wineismylifewineismylifeMember
bman posted:
wineismylife posted:

2001 Château Rieussec

Perfection in a bottle. Served by itself with a Bayern Munchen win over the Spurs. Tasting note posted on CT and blogged.

Sometimes I think I'm the only one here drinking dessert wines and ports.  Then again, I don't check this thread very often. 

You're not.  I have some more coming soon including a 1927 Dow.

bmanbmanMember
wineismylife posted:
bman posted:
wineismylife posted:

2001 Château Rieussec

Perfection in a bottle. Served by itself with a Bayern Munchen win over the Spurs. Tasting note posted on CT and blogged.

Sometimes I think I'm the only one here drinking dessert wines and ports.  Then again, I don't check this thread very often. 

You're not.  I have some more coming soon including a 1927 Dow.

Be still my beating heart....

bmanbmanMember
wineismylife posted:

I have 1 half of that 2000 Graham myself.  How did it show?  Drink or hold?

It was good but will be much better in a few years. I have a few halves and full bottles and will not open those or other 2000s for another 3-5 years or more. But I like my ports fully mature and have lots of older bottles to keep me going until then. 

I only opened those bottles because we had a fellow portlover over who likes ports younger than do I. 

bmanbmanMember
wineismylife posted:

Sounds good bman.  Thanks for the tip.  I'll make sure my 2000 halves sleep 3-5 longer.  I'm in no rush.  Like you I prefer them fully mature if possible.

Any thoughts on 2003?  I'm sitting on a six pack of Novals 750s right now as well.

My rule of thumb for drinking port when it's fully mature is 25 years, perhaps a little less for half bottles, single quintas or weak vintages. So I would let those 2003s sleep for another 10 years. 

You may recall a group of WS Forums portlovers, most with much more experience and better palates than me (tsunami, KillerB and David from another forum)  did a port tasting at Berry Brothers in London in 2005. We tasted Taylor, Fonseca, Dow and Graham from 1970 and 1977. So 35 and 28 years old. And the consensus was that none of the 77s had peaked. But those are both top vintages, like 1994. 

All of that said, Gman has much more port experience than me I think so perhaps he will weigh in! 

wineismylifewineismylifeMember

Sounds good.  I was leaning heavily towards extending them since they are all 750mls and should all be long lived.

I was just working in CellarTracker double checking some of my drink by dates as a result of reviewing these ports.  I've accidentally purchased and laid down some wines that won't be ready to drink until I'm 83 years old!    Needless to say I need to keep a better eye on that.  Matter of fact, looking at what I drink versus buy I'm getting seriously close to the point of never buying another bottle of wine again.  Nothing more than simple daily drinkers like Chiantis for pasta night and Spanish garnachas for tapas night.

bmanbmanMember
bomba503 posted:

FYI had a glass of 94 Dow last Sat Night at a local steakhouse that had a bottle open. It was still way to fruity and primary for me to enjoy. I cant say that another 10 years would be enough to try again

If the bottle had been open for a while it would not be at its best or even be faded out. 

bmanbmanMember
wineismylife posted:

Sounds good.  I was leaning heavily towards extending them since they are all 750mls and should all be long lived.

I was just working in CellarTracker double checking some of my drink by dates as a result of reviewing these ports.  I've accidentally purchased and laid down some wines that won't be ready to drink until I'm 83 years old!    Needless to say I need to keep a better eye on that.  Matter of fact, looking at what I drink versus buy I'm getting seriously close to the point of never buying another bottle of wine again.  Nothing more than simple daily drinkers like Chiantis for pasta night and Spanish garnachas for tapas night.

I have some 2007 Dow halves that will like form part of our kid's inheritance before I drink a single one. 

vintvintMember
bman posted:
vinoevelo posted:

For the annual celebration of wine discovery that is the extravagance of Sherry Xmas this past weekend:

Equipo Navazos La Bota de Amontillado No. 58 Sanlucar

Hidalgo Wellington Palo Cortado 20 Years VOS

Tio Pepe Dos Palmas Fino

Tio Pepe Tres Palmas Fino

Toro Albala Marques de Poley Amontillado Viejismo Solera 1922

Vernaccia di Oristano da Davide Orro

2018 Ktima Gerovassiliou Malagousia

2001 Lopez de Heredia Rioja Reserva Blanco Tondonia

2008 Radikon Jakot

2016 Holdvolgy Vision

2017 Charles et Philippe Brand Fleurs Maceration

NV Drappier Blanc de Quatre blancs

2009 Huet Brut Reserve Vouvray Petillant

2015 Raventos i Blanc de Nit

2011 Colet Colet-Navazos Reserva Extra Brut

2016 Olienas Cannonau Riserva

2013 Elvio Cogno Barbera Pre-Phylloxera

2012 Bruno Giacosa Barbera D'Alba Falletto di Serralunga

2010 Retro Cellars Petite Sirah Howell Mountain

1997 Chateau des Jacques Moulin-a-Vent 'Champ de Cour'

2015 Raul Perez Ultreia Mencia

2008 Acustic Cellars 'acustic'

2005 Paolo Bea Rosso San Valentino (marred by some VA)

2006 Catherine & Pierre Breton St. Louans

Might have missed some in there as well.  The real standouts for me were the drappier, retro, cogno and Breton.  and ch. des jacques. and tondonia.  and mrs. VeV loved that radikon.  and really - the sherries acoss the board were stunners.   Food was great, company was outstanding.  Didnt even set a couch on fire this year.  The art wasnt bad either.

 

 

 

But no px?  Or did I just miss it in the long list?

Bman, the Toro Albala Marques de Poley Amontillado Viejismo Solera 1922 is actually made from PX but it’s bone dry. It was fantastic. 

bmanbmanMember
vint posted:
bman posted:
vinoevelo posted:

For the annual celebration of wine discovery that is the extravagance of Sherry Xmas this past weekend:

Equipo Navazos La Bota de Amontillado No. 58 Sanlucar

Hidalgo Wellington Palo Cortado 20 Years VOS

Tio Pepe Dos Palmas Fino

Tio Pepe Tres Palmas Fino

Toro Albala Marques de Poley Amontillado Viejismo Solera 1922

Vernaccia di Oristano da Davide Orro

2018 Ktima Gerovassiliou Malagousia

2001 Lopez de Heredia Rioja Reserva Blanco Tondonia

2008 Radikon Jakot

2016 Holdvolgy Vision

2017 Charles et Philippe Brand Fleurs Maceration

NV Drappier Blanc de Quatre blancs

2009 Huet Brut Reserve Vouvray Petillant

2015 Raventos i Blanc de Nit

2011 Colet Colet-Navazos Reserva Extra Brut

2016 Olienas Cannonau Riserva

2013 Elvio Cogno Barbera Pre-Phylloxera

2012 Bruno Giacosa Barbera D'Alba Falletto di Serralunga

2010 Retro Cellars Petite Sirah Howell Mountain

1997 Chateau des Jacques Moulin-a-Vent 'Champ de Cour'

2015 Raul Perez Ultreia Mencia

2008 Acustic Cellars 'acustic'

2005 Paolo Bea Rosso San Valentino (marred by some VA)

2006 Catherine & Pierre Breton St. Louans

Might have missed some in there as well.  The real standouts for me were the drappier, retro, cogno and Breton.  and ch. des jacques. and tondonia.  and mrs. VeV loved that radikon.  and really - the sherries acoss the board were stunners.   Food was great, company was outstanding.  Didnt even set a couch on fire this year.  The art wasnt bad either.

 

 

 

But no px?  Or did I just miss it in the long list?

Bman, the Toro Albala Marques de Poley Amontillado Viejismo Solera 1922 is actually made from PX but it’s bone dry. It was fantastic. 

Interesting. Never been much of a fine of dry sherrys but always open to trying something new. 

steve8steve8Member

I just noticed that none of my co-conspirators posted what we drank last Saturday for a surprise dinner to celebrate a ...<cough>...milestone birthday for KSC02. Eight days later I'm not sure I can remember all of them either

2008 Christian Moreau, Chablis, Vaudesir

2007 JL Chave, Hermitage, Blanc

2014 Henri Prudhon, St-Aubin, Sur le Sentier du Clou, Blanc

2001 Frescobaldi, BdM, Castelgiocondo Ripe al Convento Riserva

2006 Casanova di Neri, BdM, Tenuta Nuova

1996 Chateau Montus, Madiran, Reserva

2000 Chateau Cos D'Estournal, St. Estephe

2004 Clos St. Jean, CdP, La Combe des Fous

I know I'm forgetting at least 2 bottles because there was a red Burg and a 1982 Bonnezeaux. Perhaps Mimik can fill in the details?

Should also mention that Purple Haze made the long, eventful trek up for this and it's always good to see him.

 

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