Community Tasting Note

• csimm wrote:

  December 15, 2017 - Barrel samples (Cabernet Sauvignon):
  
  2017 Myriad Empyrean GIII
  2017 Myriad Three Twins
  2017 Myriad Round Pond
  2017 Scarlett
  
  Huge noses on all of them, especially the Scarlett and GIII. All wines were obviously teeming with wild, energetic flavors. Lots of fruit; deep, opaque crimson purple colors in the glass; excellent viscosity; huge mouthfeel.
  
  Clearly a lot to sort out, but well on their ways to their respective successes in the coming years. And most importantly, absolutely no detectable smoke taint whatsoever on the lots picked during/post wildfires.

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8 Comments

• Yack Man commented:

  12/17/17, 5:00 PM - Nice preview of Mikes 2017 vintages and even better your mention of no detectable smoke taint on the lots picked during/post wildfires. It will be interesting to experience Mike's Round Pond venture.

• csimm commented:

  12/17/17, 5:08 PM - It was definitely a sigh of relief regarding the smoke taint. I suppose that it can sometimes rear its head later on in bottle (sometimes with a vengeance), but I'm optimistic with Mike's wines! As you know, he won't compromise if it were to be an issue.
  
  I'm excited to try the Round Pond and Steltzner once in bottle. The '16 Steltzner barrel sample was very promising!

• Badmonkey commented:

  12/18/17, 9:39 AM - csimm, as usual nice notes. I was also a little concerned about the 2017 vintage in light of the fires but your notes ease my concerns some. Although I remember barrel tasting the 2013 really early with Mike and there weren't a whole lot of distinguishing traits that early - it was more or less just about the fruit. Interesting that the two new Myriad vineyards are Round Pond and Steltzner. I had a Steltzner stags leap cab a couple years ago and I wasn't overly impressed - although I'm sure Mike will make the best of that vineyard. Take care.

• csimm commented:

  12/18/17, 9:57 AM - Hi Badmonkey. Yes, the 2017s are obviously way too early to assess with any certainty how they will end up in bottle. I didn't rate them, but wanted to at least offer a few words on what appears to be quality fruit (good flavor, color, viscosity, body, etc). Acid seems good as well.
  
  As mentioned, the 2016 Steltzner barrel sample was very interesting. I'll be looking forward to trying that once it is bottle to see how it ultimately shapes up. I too have had wine from that site in the past and don't recall it being too memorable. Of course, I would hope to think the treatment Mike is giving this wine will be different/better? than the wines coming out of the Steltzner Vineyards label.

• Badmonkey commented:

  12/18/17, 10:07 AM - Don't get me wrong - I love your assessment of the 2017 barrel tastings. Better than what I did with the 2013 vintage back then because I tried to rate them which was silly. Thanks again and Happy Holidays.

• csimm commented:

  12/18/17, 10:43 AM - I've also tried to "rate" juice that is clearly not even showing a clear trajectory as to where it is going. Even rating wine in general (numerically speaking) is so subjective it becomes a crapshoot half of the time. There are always "misses" that my palate doesn't seem to align with in terms of others' opinions. Of course, it's still helpful to read others' narratives on what their experiences were of certain wines at certain times. Anyway, here's hoping the 2017 vintage continues with the string of good vintages over the last 5 years.

• #1Winelover commented:

  12/20/17, 2:17 PM - Thanks for your detailed notes and sharing the new vineyard sources from Myriad. I asked Leah in an email and she wouldn't divulge the source which seemed weird especially when they published the new Quivet source!
  
  I can't wait for the new vineyards and am especially curious about Stelzner. Agreed - Mike should make solid wine from the vineyard and he should also know if the vineyard has the potential to live up to excellent vintages.
  
  As for smoke taint, I have heard that several wineries and vintners are worried. Some of my friends from Australia who have had to deal with taint say that you can test it all you want but in reality, you have to wait for the finished product -- and re-test it then. I also heard that ~ 70% of the grapes had been picked and were already resting!

• csimm commented:

  12/21/17, 7:37 AM - I think 2016 will be a very good vintage for Myriad (and other high end Cab producers). 2017 will be interesting in trying to navigate through what wines might be affected by smoke taint. You're right that it can surface after production/in bottle. I'm no scientist but I know wineries are diligently trying to get as much back from the labs as possible to figure out next steps. If nothing else, there is a heightened concern from consumers about 2017. At the very least, I hope wineries do two things: 1. Dump fruit/wine that they believe has a high likelihood of having detectible smoke taint, and 2. Refund anyone who buys pre-purchased allocated bottles in futures that later are determined to have smoke taint. I'll still buy blind if I know the winery will refund me if I later pop a bottle and it is affected. We shall see.

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