Popped this after a recent discussion with @Ian Macdonald comparing notes on St. Urbans-Hof. A needed check in of the 2016 vintage in the Mosel as well. A daily drinking pick-up from my last trip to Bottle Barn (Santa Rosa, CA).
8.5% abv
A.P. = 3 529 290 14 17 — 4 years ago
A few wines from last week’s 4th Friday event!
The sheer opulence of this is astounding. Obviously young, this was actually my first Realm BTK courtesy of @Keith Fisher . When thinking back to the last stunning 2016 BTK I had (MacDonald), where the MacDonald is more dusty, slightly more herbal and full of tightly coiled BTK power, this was an embarrassment of rich dark fruits, baking spices and sporting a creme de cassis like profile. Classic To Kalon power, with so much to unpack. Thank you, Keith! — 3 years ago
Named Anastasis for its “resurrection” in the cellar after fermentation issues. From low-yielding Sauv Blanc vines near Rutherford that were pulled after the 2013 vintage. Sherry notes, with some apple, nut and yellow jujube character. If you go in thinking Jura, you will enjoy this more than if you go in thinking California. Interesting wine. Only about 14 cases, hand bottled by @Graeme MacDonald and @Johanna Jensen according to Abe’s notes. Interesting that I will have consumed about 4% of total production by the time I finish my bottles. — 4 years ago
A delicious gift from James MacDonald — 5 years ago
Heck of a hosting by @Weston Eidson last night for the City Club wine group. All wines were tasted blind.
When tasting next to the MacDonald, it was incredible how much more ripe fruit was present here. I mean, straight up oozing blackberries and blueberries. I pondered if there could even be Malbec in this based on how inky and juicy it was at the core. I went back and forth between calling this Australian Cabernet or Howell Mountain Zinfandel. There was Andes mint and fig with a rich finish. I had the ‘16 during my visit earlier this year and found it to have a touch more savory notes. — 3 years ago
Tannins grapefruit. More subttle fruit flavors. Boyle loved it — 3 years ago
Lots of fun. @Ian Macdonald opened a stunner and then proceeded to take all my money on the poker table. This wine carries all the richness my wallet once had. — 5 years ago
Rob Brobst III
Oakville proper. Bang next to Macdonald..... — 2 years ago