Retail $55. 100% Riesling. "Hate" is a word that I try very hard not to use. It is an extremely strong word and should be reserved for only extreme circumstances. There is far too much hate in this world and adding to it, even if by merely mentioning the word, should be avoided. Having said that, several years ago, I hated my job mostly because my boss was horrible at her job and I suffered as a result. Why do I bring that up? Well, my wife and I had several long discussions and we made the decision that I should just quit. I did not have another job lined up and it was a bit of a financial hit to us at the time, but I was miserable and leaving the toxicity was really the only choice. So I did. I put in my two weeks and started to focus on my wine writing (my last day at the job, I brought in a bottle of sparkling wine, sabered it, and it spilled all over the place; it was glorious). Why do I mention all of this now? Well, tasting this glorious Brooks Sparkling Riesling, I realize that even though I do not make a ton of money writing about wine, I am in a much happier place. I also get the opportunity to taste some truly fantastic wines and meet some incredible people. Near the top of that list has to be Janie Brooks Heuck, the managing director at the winery, who took over after her younger brother passed away from a heart attack just a few days before harvest in (see: The Glass of Wine I Just Could Not Drink). This fantastic sparkling Riesling brings back all of those memories and more and while the tasting notes are similar to previous notes, tonight, it means quite a bit more.
91+ really restrained sparkler! Lemon notes on the palate , acid line still holding up. In a really interesting spot right now in terms of what it is giving up on the palate . Still years to go
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The Fourth Annual World’s Largest Blind Tasting of American Sparkling Wine; 12/20/2021-12/23/2021: Retail $55. 100% Riesling. "Extended Tirage 44 Months." Yeah. I know what this is. The purpose behind a blind tasting is just that--to be "blind" as to what is in the glass. But. When you know there are exactly *two* Rieslings in the lineup and you come across one with that distinct petrol aspect, well.... Holy crap. That nose. Rich, fruity (Meyer lemon, kumquat), mineral, layered. Holy crap. Bright, fruity, but also a bit austere on the palate (OK, I was searching for a negative). My god, this is killer stuff.
Very bubbly, a little over carbonated for our taste - we swirled it a few times. Lots of mineral, some light pear, and a little smoke. Quite dry finish. Pleasant, but a little pricey for what it is.
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12/18/2023 - The Drunken Cyclist Likes this wine: 94 Points
Retail $55. 100% Riesling. "Hate" is a word that I try very hard not to use. It is an extremely strong word and should be reserved for only extreme circumstances. There is far too much hate in this world and adding to it, even if by merely mentioning the word, should be avoided. Having said that, several years ago, I hated my job mostly because my boss was horrible at her job and I suffered as a result. Why do I bring that up? Well, my wife and I had several long discussions and we made the decision that I should just quit. I did not have another job lined up and it was a bit of a financial hit to us at the time, but I was miserable and leaving the toxicity was really the only choice. So I did. I put in my two weeks and started to focus on my wine writing (my last day at the job, I brought in a bottle of sparkling wine, sabered it, and it spilled all over the place; it was glorious). Why do I mention all of this now? Well, tasting this glorious Brooks Sparkling Riesling, I realize that even though I do not make a ton of money writing about wine, I am in a much happier place. I also get the opportunity to taste some truly fantastic wines and meet some incredible people. Near the top of that list has to be Janie Brooks Heuck, the managing director at the winery, who took over after her younger brother passed away from a heart attack just a few days before harvest in (see: The Glass of Wine I Just Could Not Drink). This fantastic sparkling Riesling brings back all of those memories and more and while the tasting notes are similar to previous notes, tonight, it means quite a bit more.
www.thedrunkencyclist.com
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12/21/2022 - The Drunken Cyclist Likes this wine: 93 Points
The Fifth Annual Largest Blind Tasting of American Sparkling Wine: Retail $55. 100% Riesling. Straw to yellow in color. Peach and pear a go-go on the nose with a hint of petrol. Great fruit and wonderful balance, the finish is killer. Very nice. 93 Points.
www.thedrunkencyclist.com
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5/13/2022 - Muledog71 Likes this wine: 91 Points
91+ really restrained sparkler! Lemon notes on the palate , acid line still holding up. In a really interesting spot right now in terms of what it is giving up on the palate . Still years to go
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12/22/2021 - The Drunken Cyclist Likes this wine: 94 Points
The Fourth Annual World’s Largest Blind Tasting of American Sparkling Wine; 12/20/2021-12/23/2021: Retail $55. 100% Riesling. "Extended Tirage 44 Months." Yeah. I know what this is. The purpose behind a blind tasting is just that--to be "blind" as to what is in the glass. But. When you know there are exactly *two* Rieslings in the lineup and you come across one with that distinct petrol aspect, well.... Holy crap. That nose. Rich, fruity (Meyer lemon, kumquat), mineral, layered. Holy crap. Bright, fruity, but also a bit austere on the palate (OK, I was searching for a negative). My god, this is killer stuff.
www.thedrunkencyclist.com
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9/7/2021 - edog22 wrote: 87 Points
Very bubbly, a little over carbonated for our taste - we swirled it a few times. Lots of mineral, some light pear, and a little smoke. Quite dry finish. Pleasant, but a little pricey for what it is.
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