Chrispe
Member #182,550 signed up 7/1/2011
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Member since July 2011
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Member #182,550 signed up 7/1/2011
413 Tasting Notes
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2019 Meeker Merlot Winemaker's Handprint
10/22/2022 - Chrispe wrote:
Winemaker Notes:
Since its inception in the early 90s, Handprint has grown into our flagship wine, and as a result, it demands the most attention and car of any wine in our cellar. It is an important standard-bearer for our traditional winemaking style: it remains a wine that is focused on its age-worthiness, elegance, and structure more than anything else. We work incredible hard to constantly refine our execution to balance it cellar potential with enough friendliness and development to enjoy at release.
Metaphorically, they say you can't have your cake and eat it too. But maybe that's just a cake thing -- we've made a compelling argument for a few decades that Merlot can do both. this positions -- along with our adamant view that Merlot is a pinnacle grape variety equal to Cab, Pinot Noir and Syrah -- is one we are particularly student about. Proving our points on Merlot is a noble cause and a challenge that eternally demands our best.
This vintage of Handprint is 90% Merlot with 5% Cab Franc and 2.5% each of Cab and Malbec. the wine is 97.5% Dry Creek Valley appellation, excepting only the Malbec. This is a particularly lush and friendly vintage of handprint. It's anchored by ripe plum and pomegranate fruit with a round and plush mid-palate. The finish opens light-footed and clean with prominent minerality. Tannins are developing early and feel a few years ahead of vintage. I'm proud to this Handprint. It's stunning now, but will graciously reward a decade or two of peace and quiet.
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2020 Meeker Syrah Andrew Vineyard
10/22/2022 - Chrispe wrote:
From winemaker notes:
Since the late 90s, opposite the velvety fruit-bombs that exploded in popularity, we've made structure-forward brooding, angry-teenager-slamming-their-door-ish Syrahs. we love Syrah like this -- the less it likes us, the more we like it. But this fruit from Andrews family in Suisun isn't angry at all.
Maybe it's because Jeff Andrews is one of the kindest people ever. Maybe it's because Jeff and his sone, the second and third generations, farm it together. But Syrah has more range than any other pinnacle grape, and this wine shows a facet of that range that is new for Meeker. This wine is easy-going but not shallow. It's still nuanced, classic Syrah at its core.
Blueberry pie, eucalyptus, and aged leather on the nose. It's high-toned, round and deft on the palate with reminders of crushed mint and pipe tobacco. The finish rides a creamy, soft acidity and closes with suede-is tannins that say "see you soon!" like a handstamp for same day re-entry. Drink now or before this teenager graduates college.
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2018 Meeker Fossil
10/22/2022 - Chrispe wrote:
From wine maker notes:
35% Cabernet Sauvignon 33% Syrah 32% Merlot
We won't deny that Cab is King (its the King of Kings in Four Kings, right?), but as noted in the other notes, we see Merlot as its undeniable equal and Syrah as the weird, Mr.-Toad's-Wild-Ride-esque alternative pinnacle grape. so... Fossil is the only wine we make that is 100% comprised of three pinnacle red grapes. Count 'em three!
The 2018 is ample structured and feels at first like a Merlot-centered Four Kings. But there is a gentleness and lushness to the edges fo the wine that only Syrah can bring. Patient, elegant white cherry and Cab's herbaceous streak open to a warm mid-palate that bridges racy elegance with the warmth just a touch of toffee and toasted oak. The finish shows the grip of our more classic Bordeaux-grape executions but more gentle. this is a bit tight still, but will drink beautifully for the holidays this year through at least National Donut Day on June 5th, 2037.
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