My final bottle of this wine from the ESJ library sale, and it’s a fitting end. Filling in for a 1997 ESJ Rocks & Gravel that was DOA (my bad, I had one in 2017 that was hanging on for dear life), this started out slow but continued to grow from the first glass before dinner, to the last glass after dinner. Ultimately it showed a leathery core, essence of red fruit, and a touch of spice on the finish. Anyone who has a bottle should seriously consider drinking it sooner rather than later, while there still a full complement of flavors. I suspect the fruit is going to exit the stage soon.
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Had the leftovers on night 2. I suspect this was probably fresher and more vibrant on night 1. Here, was a little volatile on the nose, baking spices and dried tertiary fruit. Palate holds together but little additional depth on the finish. Seemed to be on the ripe side, and likely on the downward slope. Still, have to say it has held together nicely.
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I served this wine as a blind. Initially, tablemates leaned toward S.Rhone grenache, 99-02 but one astute taster noted the sun-kissed fruit and correctly suggested Paso.
On day one you had more spice, red cherry, mulled fruit, and now, 24h later with 1/3 bottle in the fridge, tannins soften further to reveal a fully mature wine. Not knowing the bottle, I would guess an old Charvin or something like that. It does have some roasted fruit, but very classic tertiary developed notes of polished leather and golden chewing tobacco.
How a simple paso GSM at $20/bottle behaves like this 19 years later is really remarkable.
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Ten years ago this wine was magical. Tonight the wine remains magical. It’s mature, with the developed aspects overtaking the fruit, but the fruit is still present, just in a supporting role. Smoke, meat, leather and iron take the lead now, as the wine inhabits the realm of the savory. It’s barely medium bodied, and so very easy to drink. It will cure whatever ails you.
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I purchased this as part of a library release from the winery, and it was in perfect condition. Just a few minutes to warm up from cellar temp was all it needed to show red fruit, leather, cedar, herb and earth in a swirling, captivating package.
Just amazing wine that is drinking very well, but still has ages to go. I would not even call it fully mature, but I have no issues drinking it now because it is so lip-smacking good!
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12/20/2021 - Rieslingfan wrote:
My final bottle of this wine from the ESJ library sale, and it’s a fitting end. Filling in for a 1997 ESJ Rocks & Gravel that was DOA (my bad, I had one in 2017 that was hanging on for dear life), this started out slow but continued to grow from the first glass before dinner, to the last glass after dinner. Ultimately it showed a leathery core, essence of red fruit, and a touch of spice on the finish. Anyone who has a bottle should seriously consider drinking it sooner rather than later, while there still a full complement of flavors. I suspect the fruit is going to exit the stage soon.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/19/2020 - Nutty08 wrote:
Had the leftovers on night 2. I suspect this was probably fresher and more vibrant on night 1. Here, was a little volatile on the nose, baking spices and dried tertiary fruit. Palate holds together but little additional depth on the finish. Seemed to be on the ripe side, and likely on the downward slope. Still, have to say it has held together nicely.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/19/2020 - jviz wrote: 91 Points
I served this wine as a blind. Initially, tablemates leaned toward S.Rhone grenache, 99-02 but one astute taster noted the sun-kissed fruit and correctly suggested Paso.
On day one you had more spice, red cherry, mulled fruit, and now, 24h later with 1/3 bottle in the fridge, tannins soften further to reveal a fully mature wine. Not knowing the bottle, I would guess an old Charvin or something like that. It does have some roasted fruit, but very classic tertiary developed notes of polished leather and golden chewing tobacco.
How a simple paso GSM at $20/bottle behaves like this 19 years later is really remarkable.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/19/2020 - Rieslingfan wrote:
Ten years ago this wine was magical. Tonight the wine remains magical. It’s mature, with the developed aspects overtaking the fruit, but the fruit is still present, just in a supporting role. Smoke, meat, leather and iron take the lead now, as the wine inhabits the realm of the savory. It’s barely medium bodied, and so very easy to drink. It will cure whatever ails you.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
5/25/2017 - Rieslingfan wrote:
I purchased this as part of a library release from the winery, and it was in perfect condition. Just a few minutes to warm up from cellar temp was all it needed to show red fruit, leather, cedar, herb and earth in a swirling, captivating package.
Just amazing wine that is drinking very well, but still has ages to go. I would not even call it fully mature, but I have no issues drinking it now because it is so lip-smacking good!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment