Clearly bottled with high CO2 content. Needed a good decant before it showed its potential. Unmistakably California fruit, but with a Burgundian sensibility. 2011 was a great pinot vintage in NorCal, and this is no outlier. Really lovely in all aspects. Stood up beautifully to short ribs and polenta.
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In great shape with proper cellaring since release. Advanced, but not overtly oxidized. Rich, tropical, ripe. Minerality keeps it gelunded. Excellent with truffle gnocci, prosciutto flatbread, and fig jam & bleu cheese flatbread. Drink before 2023.
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11/27/2016 9:58:00 PM - I agree with your comment on Burgundy corks, but think it goes beyond that. When I hear of three grand cru bottles in a row being undrinkable (Bienvenues Batard Monrachet) I think it is more than just parsimony on cork quality. While there are exemplary producers, I can only assume that there are a number who are working on the basis of minimizing cost and maximizing revenue no matter what the impact on the product or consumer
8/6/2013 8:00:00 PM - Thanks for your comment. The Williams Selyem Heintz Chardonnay has been consistently wonderful. However, I usually prefer the Allen and Hawk Hill bottlings over the Heintz (not trying to denigrate the Heintz). This Heintz 2009 was just perfect. It's possible the 95 rating was a little low. The four years age and the perfect drinking temperature - chilled, not cold - really let this wine shine. I truly feel the WS Chardonnays, outshine their Pinot Noirs.
6/7/2013 10:42:00 PM - Thanks for your comment re: the 2003 Shea / Shea. Agree that most stuff from Shea Vyd. trends toward earthy/gamey, but this one was over the top. I've never had one from Shea that I mistook, however briefly, for a Rhone varietal. That said, I really liked it once I got my head around it. Cheers!
5/5/2013 6:02:00 PM - Thanks for the comment about Hawk Hill Chardonnay from WS. Do you know who makes it now? In the past I got it from Lynmar, although you get what you pay for there (ie a lot of $ but you know it is good). I actually bought the WS because I liked the Lynmar Pinot noir from Hawk Hill. Does someone new have the contract to do the grapes?
4/9/2013 8:34:00 PM - Not in Nashville anymore, but I do visit every year. Not sure if there are any wine-specific storage units in Nashville, but it is worth calling around to storage companies and asking about temperature and humidity control. They might have something suitable for long term storage.
4/9/2013 7:36:00 PM - Hi, thanks for your comment about good wine shops in Nashville. I can't wait to check them out. Are you in Nashville? If so, do you have any clue where I might store my wines? I have about 200 bottles. My basement seems to be warming up.
2016 Antica Terra Pinot Noir Botanica
11/4/2022 - Gordonium Likes this wine:
Luxardo cherries and beef pho broth. Excellent.
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2011 Occidental Pinot Noir Cuvée Catherine Occidental Station
11/24/2021 - Gordonium Likes this wine:
Clearly bottled with high CO2 content. Needed a good decant before it showed its potential. Unmistakably California fruit, but with a Burgundian sensibility. 2011 was a great pinot vintage in NorCal, and this is no outlier. Really lovely in all aspects. Stood up beautifully to short ribs and polenta.
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2008 Williams Selyem Chardonnay Hawk Hill Vineyard
11/24/2021 - Gordonium Likes this wine:
In great shape with proper cellaring since release. Advanced, but not overtly oxidized. Rich, tropical, ripe. Minerality keeps it gelunded. Excellent with truffle gnocci, prosciutto flatbread, and fig jam & bleu cheese flatbread. Drink before 2023.
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