Over 4 days, the 2009 Leitz Rudesheimer Klosterlay Kabinett showed
very well. Pale and bright with a slight hint of spritz, green apples
and lime, slatey mineral notes. Nice length. Moderately sweet, but no
more than I find appropriate for Rheingau kabinett. Nice value
($12.75). B+

A broken water main convinced me that leftovers were best option
Saturday, accompanied by the 2007 Filliatreau "Grande Vignolle" Saumur-
Champigny. Nice fresh crunch red fruits, a little tobacco leaf. solid
acidity, light tannins. Maybe not quite the depth of the '05, but a
solid and friendly
Cabv Franc. B/B+

Sunday was grilled skirt steak with broccoli as well as green beans in
a balsamic vinaigrette. with the 2006 Haven Bourriquot (from 375 ml).
Dark fruits, moderate tannins, ok acidity, some horse sweat and earth.
Shows it's Napa-ness,but not over the top. B

David is home for a week, as he won't see Thanksgiving in Scotland, we
decided to do a T'giving dinner, and invited some friends of our he is
fond of to join us (as well as his girlfriend). We had bubbly as an
aperitif and into first course (a great squash soup with a bit of
andouille). The NV Gosset "Excellence" Brut Champagne is on the full
side of the spectrum, creamy texture, fresh apple pie aromas, good
finish. Bright acidity keeps it light on toes for a big bubbly. Fine
mousse. I tend to lean towards the lighter end of Champagne, but this
is a fine example of a fuller-framed NV. B+/A-

Then on to capon, sage dressing, Brussels sprouts, and sweet potatoes.
For an American "holiday" seemed a good time to open an American wine
that had been staring at me for couple of months. The 2007 Bookster
Pinot Noir (Sonoma) was just not my style, though quite popular with
at least 2 people. Thick, sweet, this needs more acid. More
appropriate as a pancake topping than wine. OK, a bit of an
exaggeration, but thick is not a positive word when describing Pinot
for me. C+

The 2009 Coquelet Beaujolais-Villages is better, though it surprises
me by being fairly ripe as well. This is the first 2009 Beaujolais
I've had where I thought just a little less fruit-forwardness might be
appropriate/appealing. This reminds me a bit of some of the 2003
Beaujolais, which all of the people who didn't usually like Beaujolais
found so appealing. But still, much more structure and interest than
the Bookster. Very ripe cherries, earth, a tiny hint of merde/poop.
With a little time in glass I appreciate more. Not bad at all, but
maybe not a re-buy for me in a vintage so strong across the board in
the region. B


Grade disclaimer: I'm a very easy grader, basically A is an excellent
wine, B a good wine, C mediocre. Anything below C means I wouldn't
drink at a party where it was only choice. Furthermore, I offer no
promises of objectivity, accuracy, and certainly not of consistency.*

On Nov 9, 9:19*am, DaleW > wrote:
> Over 4 days, the 2009 Leitz Rudesheimer Klosterlay *Kabinett showed
> very well. Pale and bright with a slight hint of spritz, green apples
> and lime, slatey mineral notes. Nice length. Moderately sweet, but no
> more than I find appropriate for Rheingau kabinett. Nice value
> ($12.75). B+
>
> A broken water main convinced me that leftovers were best option
> Saturday, accompanied by the 2007 Filliatreau "Grande Vignolle" Saumur-
> Champigny. Nice fresh crunch red fruits, a little tobacco leaf. solid
> acidity, light tannins. Maybe not quite the depth of the '05, but a
> solid and friendly
> Cabv Franc. B/B+
>
> Sunday was grilled skirt steak with broccoli as well as green beans in
> a balsamic vinaigrette. with the 2006 Haven Bourriquot (from 375 ml).
> Dark fruits, moderate tannins, ok acidity, some horse sweat and earth.
> Shows it's Napa-ness,but not over the top. B
>
> David is home for a week, as he won't see Thanksgiving in Scotland, we
> decided to do a T'giving dinner, and invited some friends of our he is
> fond of to join us (as well as his girlfriend). We had bubbly as an
> aperitif and into first course (a great squash soup with a bit of
> andouille). The NV Gosset *"Excellence" Brut Champagne is on the full
> side of the spectrum, creamy texture, fresh apple pie aromas, good
> finish. Bright acidity keeps it light on *toes for a big bubbly. Fine
> mousse. I tend to lean towards the lighter end of Champagne, but this
> is a fine example of a fuller-framed NV. B+/A-
>
> Then on to capon, sage dressing, Brussels sprouts, and sweet potatoes.
> For an American "holiday" *seemed a good time to open an American wine
> that had been staring at me for couple of months. The 2007 Bookster
> Pinot Noir (Sonoma) was just not my style, though quite popular with
> at least 2 people. Thick, sweet, this needs more acid. More
> appropriate as a pancake topping than wine. OK, a bit of an
> exaggeration, but thick is not a positive word when describing Pinot
> for me. C+
>
> The 2009 Coquelet Beaujolais-Villages is better, though it surprises
> me by being fairly ripe as well. This is the first 2009 Beaujolais
> I've had where I thought just a little less fruit-forwardness might be
> appropriate/appealing. This reminds me a bit of some of the 2003
> Beaujolais, which all of the people who didn't usually like Beaujolais
> found so appealing. But still, much more structure and interest than
> the Bookster. Very ripe cherries, earth, a tiny hint of merde/poop.
> With a little time in glass I appreciate more. Not bad at all, but
> maybe not a re-buy for me in a vintage so strong across the board in
> the region. B
>
> Grade disclaimer: I'm a very easy grader, basically A is an excellent
> wine, B a good wine, C mediocre. Anything below C means I wouldn't
> drink at a party where it was only choice. Furthermore, I offer no
> promises of objectivity, accuracy, and certainly not of consistency.*

Thanks for the notes. I've been mulling my options and I'm trying for
an all American line-up but I wanted to serve a Gewurtz and haven't
found a domestic one that I'm partial to. The closest I've found so
far is the 2006 Kelham. Any suggestions welcomed.

Bi!! wrote:

> Thanks for the notes. I've been mulling my options and I'm trying for
> an all American line-up but I wanted to serve a Gewurtz and haven't
> found a domestic one that I'm partial to. The closest I've found so
> far is the 2006 Kelham. Any suggestions welcomed.

Coincidentally, tonight Jean opened a bottle of the '08 Navarro Dry
Gewurztraminer that we got along with that Indian River PN I posted on.
It's very pleasant, dry with decent fruit and only a touch dilute.
Very light and with no bitterness that I often find in dry renditions of
Gewurz. It comes from the Anderson Valley in Mendocino, where Lazy
Creek also does a nice version.

Mark Lipton

On Nov 10, 11:18*pm, Mark Lipton > wrote:
> Bi!! wrote:
> > Thanks for the notes. *I've been mulling my options and I'm trying for
> > an all American line-up but I wanted to serve a Gewurtz and haven't
> > found a domestic one that I'm partial to. *The closest I've found so
> > far is the 2006 Kelham. *Any suggestions welcomed.
>
> Coincidentally, tonight Jean opened a bottle of the '08 Navarro Dry
> Gewurztraminer that we got along with that Indian River PN I posted on.
> * It's very pleasant, dry with decent fruit and only a touch dilute.
> Very light and with no bitterness that I often find in dry renditions of
> Gewurz. *It comes from the Anderson Valley in Mendocino, where Lazy
> Creek also does a nice version.
>
> Mark Lipton

Thanks Mark. For what ever reason most of the domestic Gewurztraminer
that I've tried has been a bit dilute and lacking the spice kick that
I enjoy in the grape.

On Nov 11, 8:40*am, "Bi!!" > wrote:
> On Nov 10, 11:18*pm, Mark Lipton > wrote:
>
> > Bi!! wrote:
> > > Thanks for the notes. *I've been mulling my options and I'm trying for
> > > an all American line-up but I wanted to serve a Gewurtz and haven't
> > > found a domestic one that I'm partial to. *The closest I've found so
> > > far is the 2006 Kelham. *Any suggestions welcomed.
>
> > Coincidentally, tonight Jean opened a bottle of the '08 Navarro Dry
> > Gewurztraminer that we got along with that Indian River PN I posted on.
> > * It's very pleasant, dry with decent fruit and only a touch dilute.
> > Very light and with no bitterness that I often find in dry renditions of
> > Gewurz. *It comes from the Anderson Valley in Mendocino, where Lazy
> > Creek also does a nice version.
>
> > Mark Lipton
>
> Thanks Mark. *For what ever reason most of the domestic Gewurztraminer
> that I've tried has been a bit dilute and lacking the spice kick that
> I enjoy in the grape.

The Navarro would be my choice-but imho better options from Alsace.
I think I've also have Martinelli (hot) and Hook & Ladder (remember
nothing, not a great sign)
I've heard good things re some Oregon (Foris?) and WA gewurz, but
never tasted