Franken Berry

Message Board Post Public Message

• catlady says:

  1/3/2024 9:35:00 AM - Franken Berry, thanks for your insight on Venge family reserve. We had the Silencieux one night and family reserve the following. We love the Venge wines overall. I was just comparing the $50 something price to $130 plus. I wish my palate were more discerning. Maybe I need more practice!! Happy New Year and Cheers. We're off to wine country for a month in Feb this year. We stay in Healdsburg. Any hidden gems we should try?

• wjs says:

  12/14/2023 9:38:00 AM - I'd like to discuss your corked bottle -- will@riversmarie.com

• Cyclist says:

  6/15/2023 2:02:00 PM - That would be fun! Rye BYOB is great!

• Franken Berry says:

  6/6/2023 2:20:00 PM - Sean - I would definitely be up for the July date, thanks for asking. Enjoy Colorado, we will probably be out there in September

• sean7711 says:

  6/6/2023 12:14:00 PM - Hi Franken, thanks for the note on the message board. I agree it would be nice to meet and drink some wine together. Unfortunately, I am in Colorado during that south jersey wine event. I talked with Luke at Cornell (who is participating in the event) and he mentioned he would be back in the Philly area July 20/21 time frame. I am looking into setting up a small event in the city with him, so let me know if you'd like to meet up. Cheers

• Mark1npt says:

  2/18/2023 3:32:00 PM - FB, I agree with loading up on '19s, I've been doing just that. '21 growing season was a bit like '13 but the berries were also a bit like '15, smaller with more concentrated flavors. '17 and '20 are near complete total losers for me. '22 is shaping up to be a bad one given the late rains and temp changes that affected harvest all throughout the valley. Those who could afford to wait til after the rains, to let their crops ripen should do well. The problem is, most of the optimal picking needed to be done right as the rains were hitting. Only those who had late maturing fruit were really safe to pick after the rains. All the others who waited are going to have over ripe, high alc fruit, which means they'll have to 'water back', which is basically watering down their wine and then they'll have to manually add back in acids or tannins or coloring or flavoring to make the wine look and taste right.

• Mark1npt says:

  2/17/2023 2:47:00 PM - FB....just food for thought. LPB likes the '21s, not so much the '22s so be careful with future purchases. She just published a retrospective on '20 also, and it wasn't good, with very few exceptions. But we already knew that.

• Mark1npt says:

  1/2/2023 3:29:00 PM - FB.....yes.....some are closed Sundays, some Mondays and/or Tuesdays. Trips in May are very busy and very popular. You MUST start contacting them now to get your choice of days/times. If you need an in for B Cellars, let me know......

• Mark1npt says:

  11/9/2022 9:50:00 AM - FB, that STCrows pricing was just plain stupid. I can't imagine they sold much of anything. It's a nice wine at 100-125, not much worth above that point. It's why I've stopped buying Myriad Three Twins (same vineyard) but used to be $85/bottle. Way more than that now.

• sean7711 says:

  8/21/2022 7:52:00 AM - Franken, we stayed at the Surf Club right on the beach. Overall, a solid place I'd recommend. The drive from Philly isn't fun, but once you get there we had a great time and the dining was excellent. We did Roberta's, Harvest, Hideaway, and Sel Rrose.

• Be.Lee says:

  8/8/2022 12:34:00 PM - Indeed it seems that new management for BV has converted Cult from a label to a product line. White cult? lol For old lovers of BV it sucks, but I can understand why mgmt want to use it beyond a label.

• Mark1npt says:

  7/29/2022 4:42:00 AM - Yes, it is wayyy too expensive. I thought I'd be able to keep up with new wines in retirement, but it is putting quite a dent in the bottom line!

• Mark1npt says:

  7/28/2022 8:35:00 PM - I usually have the page set to....'Community Notes on My Wines' not the 'I'm a Fan of The Taster' side! I can't keep up with all the stuff people are drinking, so I tend to zero in on what wines I share with others on here.

• Mark1npt says:

  7/28/2022 7:28:00 PM - Lol....didn't realize we weren't 'fans' til just now!

• Mark1npt says:

  7/14/2022 10:44:00 AM - ps.....about the only Sonoma pinots we drink are the Sojourn which are quite healthy, strong, fruity pinots. They are not watered down wines! They usually benefit from an hour of air but are nice from the pnp. My fear with any pinot is that the longer it's exposed to air the weaker it will become. I could be wrong! They may turn around and get even deeper? Fruitier? Or would they fade out? I don't know, as I haven't experimented with them at all.

• Mark1npt says:

  7/14/2022 10:40:00 AM - FB, ''my micro ox technique'' is not done purposely....it's the biggest unwanted effect from the coravin when a cork doesn't fully re-seal itself. The success of the coravin is based solely on which size needle you utilize and the viability of the cork itself. Most corks do not seem to re-seal themselves fully. Regarding pinot.....we don't drink much of it. Maybe 2 bottles/month? We tend to always finish those bottles so they are rarely if ever coravined. I would think as you do, that if they did micro ox, they would come off as quite a bit weaker when re-visited later that week or the next. They generally don't need the hours and hours of airtime to evolve that our big cabs do, which is why the cabs benefit from the micro ox, the most.

• Mark1npt says:

  6/17/2022 5:13:00 AM - FB...hit me up here (Mark1pt@aol.com) and I'll email you a list of auction houses that I use......Mark

• Mark1npt says:

  6/16/2022 5:20:00 PM - FB.......regarding the pricing of Arietta H Block.....I've had vintages going back from '00 to '14. I've paid as little as $55 and as high as $94 for bottles before. The youngest I have are '14s and I paid $85 for them. Almost all my bottles have been bought from auction houses, sometimes 2-3 in a lot but often times 6 bottles in a single lot. I've never had a bad bottle, just a couple of bottles that may score 1-2 points less than others, that I attribute to normal bottle variation or aging. I don't ever see newer bottles come into the auction sites as I suspect people are holding them to age/drink later. I'd like to get some '16s but I'd have a hard time drinking them that young or paying that much for something that in a few more years will start showing up cheaper in auctions. Contrary to popular thinking, things don't always cost more from auction houses, especially if the auctions are run in a legit manner and not propped up by shill bidding.....Hope this helps! Mark

• sean7711 says:

  6/13/2022 10:12:00 AM - Franken, good question. I think a 6 pack is a good way to start with them. Anything I've tried from them I've enjoyed. The last few years, I've typically just bought 3 of the CS and 3 of the intrigue, but I have been meaning to branch out and try out of a few of the other BDX blends they offer. I'd be interested in your thoughts on those if you do order the mixed 6 pack!

• Mark1npt says:

  4/17/2022 6:48:00 PM - Hey FB....hope you had a nice Easter! The '16s were such a special vintage! Released in '18 they drank exceptionally well for about 18 months, halfway thru '19 before they started shutting down. By early '20 it was hard to drink a '16! They stayed shut down for about 12-16 months before starting to open up again little by little. They are not shut down today......they just need air to blossom! Many of the '16s are needing 2-6 hours of air to get to where you and I like them. Not really a 'shutdown' phase more like a 'maturation' phase, I think?

• Mark1npt says:

  1/23/2022 6:51:00 AM - FB, I vowed to not buy any '20s at all....but was seriously thinking of giving in and buying a few Sojourn until I read Galloni's article the other day on how pinots were hit especially tough in '20. He actually said he thought the chards were not hit as hard but I have had a '20 Rombauer twice now and it is not good. So I am skipping everything '20 out of Cali except for maybe a few Turley zins grown down in Paso. I expect to see all the '20s discounted heavily over the next year so maybe wait it out and buy later if you are that brave!

• Be.Lee says:

  12/2/2021 11:29:00 AM - I am done buying BV especially for vintage beyond 2016. It's unclear what these wines are, in comparison to prior years. the fact that they had 2 different cult under sample label has really turned me off. Cardano just built a tasting room, so i may join Ed's new venture.

• Badmonkey says:

  11/8/2021 1:28:00 PM - My cellar listing on CT is probably outdated and I need to clean it up - I'm not very good at removing wines as they are consumed. I was in Napa with a group of friends probably around 10 years ago and we had a tasting with Kyle Janzen. He was a great host and we had a great tasting - the 2012 & 2013 cabs plus plus barrel tastings of two other vintages. Anyways, I continue to exchange emails with Kyle from time to time. He told me to pick-up some of the regular 2017 Janzen bottling because a significant amount of the juice came from the vineyards that make-up their single vineyard Janzen cabs plus a fair amount from the George's III vineyard. In all, higher quality fruit than previous vintages. I really enjoyed it shortly after the release but it appears to be in somewhat of an awkward stage now and needs some time - enjoyable on day three and four but the first couple days a little tart/tannic. I actually bought the 2017 Janzen cab from Woods Wholesale Wine. The Janzen Cloudy's cab is one of my favorites when I can find it for around $100 in the secondary market. Woods recently had the 2015 vintage for $99 and I bought a bunch. I haven't bought their 2018 single vineyard cabs yet but need to start looking. It does appear that we share a strategy. I try to find wines in the $50 to $80 range that I would rate 93/94, wines in the $90 to $130 range 94 plus rating, and $140 to $190 upper 90s. I try not to go any higher - too many quality wines at around $100 to justify paying that much for a bottle in my opinion. I love the 2018 Lewis cab at around $90 - one of the few 18s that I've found approachable at this stage. Overall, Mike Smith is my favorite winemaker in that $100 below range. Thanks again for the heads-up on the Peirson Meyer cab - sounds like it could be a nice addition to that strategy. Take care.

• Franken Berry says:

  11/5/2021 1:56:00 PM - My 3 pack of 2019 Fait Main Missouri Hopper just arrived - so I'm off to a good start! poppin a 2016 Quivet Las Piedras with dinner, to help make some room in the cellar

• Mark1npt says:

  11/5/2021 12:21:00 PM - FB, that was completely my intention too......until a couple of '18 offers came in this past week and I caved, ordering a 3 pack of each, but from here on out, everything I buy will be a '19. Like you, I have plenty of '16s, and '18s now and still a few '13s as well, not to mention about 20 years worth of BDXs, which of course must be had with food! I have really cut back on volume, buying in 3's now instead of 6's and 12's!

• Mark1npt says:

  10/14/2021 5:36:00 PM - Lol, FB.....I'm so sorry! Was not my intention....FWIW, I have been a big fan of the Three Twins vineyard (Myriad) but have sworn off buying any more of his wines. I have only had one bottle of my '16 Crows and gave it a 95. I've only had one bottle of my '18 FaitM MHopper and also gave it a 95. These are two of my fav vineyards in Napa. Maybe you can buy an '18 of one this year and the '19 of the other next year???

• Mark1npt says:

  10/13/2021 5:31:00 PM - FB......because of my slightly enlarged liver, I'm finding I'm drinking much less than in past years. Usually skipping a day or two in between bottles now. Never did that in the past 10 years! Plenty of things keeping me busy....I still have a part time seasonal business I run but my 40 year Physical Therapy career is pretty much over.......still buying a lot of different wines but way fewer bottles!

• Mark1npt says:

  10/13/2021 5:33:00 AM - Morning FB!.....yes, I did succumb to temptation and get one 3 pack of the Crows. I like the Three Twins vineyard fruit that it comes off of. I already had a 3 pack of '18 A. Price, in the cellar. Since I'm pretty much retired now, income and buying have slowed considerably. I should have plenty of wine to last us the next 20 years. I'll be buying a few '19s over the next year but then hardly anything after that. The cellar is full and my wallet no longer is! Cheers, pal!

• Mark1npt says:

  8/24/2021 12:53:00 PM - Hey FB......I love Stagecoach fruit but was not drinking B Cellars 8 years ago when they last made it. Having said that I did order 3 bottles to be shipped in the Fall when it's cooler, to try. With my 20% member discount it came down to about $124/bottle and I've thrown more money than that away before on wine.....so here goes!

• sean7711 says:

  6/24/2021 6:52:00 AM - Franken Berry - good to hear from a fellow Philly area CTer. I am flying blind on my 2019s and relying on past quality I know from the vineyard and Carter brand. I tasted the 2018s in May at Carter (2019s weren't bottled yet) and came away impressed. I think the 2019s will taste better upon release and went big knowing that 2020s may be a wash. At a minimum, suggest you pick up a La Verdad or two, plus an OG. Those ones tend to sell out first. I typically pick up a few more in the fall based on what's left.

• Mark1npt says:

  6/21/2021 1:02:00 PM - FB...you are most welcome....hope you enjoy them......most of my '18s are going to have to sit a while yet. The '19s starting t come out this summer, should be much more approachable, sooner. Cheers!

• Mark1npt says:

  6/13/2021 9:42:00 AM - Hey FB.....I can tell you plenty! I myself have had them all in various vintages and since retirement is calling my name and income will drop some, I will be migrating back to the 'others' with fewer and fewer Becks in coming years. If you want to reach out to peter@bCellars.com and let him know you are an acqaintance on here you can easily join one of their clubs. 2x 6 bottles per year and you can mix/match what you want. You don't have to buy Becks but EVERYTHING you buy is 20% off retail, which is tremendous qpr for wines like this. Having said that.....Ehrlich is the clear winner year in and year out for me among the 'lesser' cabs which is funny because some years it outscores some of the Becks! It's my understanding the Oakville cab, which I also buy (generally very good) sits adjacent to the Ehrlich vineyard. Their new wine "Bridgline' which I've only had for one vintage is new and from select blocks of the 'Oakville' vineyard if I'm not mistaken but Peter can fill you in on that better than me. Another fav of mine year in and year out is their 'Star' vineyard. Very good. I am not that enamored with their 'Rutherford' cab. I buy very few of them it seems compared to the others. At $125-130 retail and $100-104 my cost they all make great qpr.....I have not bought much of the St. Helena as it doesn't seem all that different from many St. Helena cabs I aready get. I buy more Ehrlich, Star and Oakville by far. Hope this helps! Mark

• Be.Lee says:

  3/28/2021 4:14:00 PM - Current owners of BV and Seven Apart are not the same. Based on what I know, Seven Apart indeed bought the brand and everything that came with it, including the vineyard. They kept the vineyard and is producing SA wines from that vineyard. BV is now owned by different group and allthough they source their fruit from atlas peak, it isn't the same as before.

• Be.Lee says:

  3/25/2021 4:47:00 PM - I have. Oscar brought one for comparison when we were doing Ed's new venture tasting. 2018 was solid, but not spectacular. Oscar hinted that they still source fruit from atlas peak but not the same vineyard as before (for obvious reason). Costco was selling it even cheaper (my friend found BV 18 Cult @costco So Cal for 30 a bottle), so not sure how i feel about buying something at "half" discount. Is it really a discount?

• Mark1npt says:

  3/4/2021 6:59:00 PM - FB, yes I have and just made my buy, too. I was first introduced to them with the '08 franc....and I have some '16s. To me, they are more purist...no manipulation of the wines. More old world cab franc!

• Franken Berry says:

  6/19/2020 4:58:00 AM - thanks for the info. I have communicated with Ed, who feels that the 2017 wines should have been declassified. I picked up some of the Cult and passed on the Estate. I have already placed my order with Cardano for his 2018s

• Be.Lee says:

  6/14/2020 5:03:00 PM - Hey Franken. It's not BV having a sale, but previous management group dumping leftover 2017 stocks before rebranding as seven apart. Ed still played a role in crafting 2017 version (he has since started Cardanos estate winery). So if you like 2016 or even 2015, you will like cult (which i see as 50% off) and estate. I didn't really think 2017 romeo or juliet was any special to warrant 100 dollar price tag, but if you can find it for say 40, that's a must, of course.