The “regular” 2020 Riesling Scharzhofberger Kabinett (bearing A.P. #3) leads with quince and peach accented by mint, cress, ginger and lemon, setting up an overall impression of coolness, but also of brightness, with stimulating cut and pungency analogous to that of the corresponding Braune Kupp. In the background is a greenhouse-like amalgam of flowers and foliage. The phenolic concentration here belies a vintage with relatively generous yields even as the efficacious acidity and levity defy preconceptions concerning a year marked by summer heat and drought. The multifaceted finish, transparent to wet stone underpinnings, is tongue-tinglingly vibrant. Here is a Riesling Kabinett to really grab and hold your attention even as it delivers consummate refreshment and a bit of thought-provoking intrigue to accompany its entertainment value. (David Schildknecht, Vinous, May 2022)
— 2 years ago
Juicy, herbal-almost-greenhouse / red fruit / tannins rounded out from some bottle age — 7 years ago
This breaks the scale in a ratio of purity to price. Opens with an early, damp morning in a greenhouse, followed by a bucket full of freshly chopped strawberry and cherry. The rhythm of cured meat, leather, and anise rides a steady beat of bright acidity that finishes on a crescendo of ample structure. A simply brilliant pairing with seafood gumbo. — 7 years ago
Planted entirely to Sagrantino, “Cerrete” is a very special vineyard in Montefalco as it occupies the highest point in the DOC where it’s drier and cooler than Pagliaro. Typically, this is Bea’s most dense, most savage expression of Sagrantino di Montefalco. I can confirm that is the case for this wine.
Poured into a decanter about an hour before service; enjoyed over the course of several hours. The 2010 pours a deep garnet color near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with significant staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing and, true to varietal form, overwhelmingly sanguine. Remarkable notes of demi-glacé, tart black cherry, and black plum, blood, the smell of a flower nursery’s greenhouse, and dry underbrush. On the palate, the wine is bone dry with high tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is impossibly long, iron rich and savory.
An absolutely brutal wine and positively stunning. This is awesome if you have the patience to allow it to open up however this will be better towards the end of this decade and drink well through 2045, easy. Bottle No. 0996/6111. — 3 months ago
like a greenhouse in the sunshine with biscuits and tea and honey — 4 years ago
Sick, dramatic nose, wintergreen, herbals you the wazoo, spice, flowers, pink grapefruit, almost a greenhouse effect on the nose, sickness. Some faint Riesling stoniness. Smells like a JR Tolkien scene. Insane inner mouth aromas. So dense, so chewy, so mineral, so dry. Lovely dry extract and purity. But also gentle and so so so mineral. I don’t think there is any fruit. And that’s a good thing. Long, meandering, finish with sick purity, and length. Chewy. So complex. Ethereal. — 5 years ago
Farmers market visit this morning dictated this after finding some decent Heirlooms awaiting my organic garden ones and deserving after cleaning the damn gutters all afternoon. .
Like this Rosé quite a lot. The price for it, not so much. But, worth it once in a while and this one has been laying down a number of years, so… If you haven’t had a good Tempranillo Rosé worth acquiring.
I like it as it is not overtly sweet like many Bandol’s & Californians.
The nose shows; blood orange, not quite ripe tangerine, baked rhubarb, strawberries, red not dark cherries, ripe, yellow peach with skin, hints of watermelon at the rind, limestone marl with orange & red flowers.
The palate shows nice viscosity. Blood orange with peel, not quite ripe tangerine, baked rhubarb, strawberries, red not dark cherries, ripe, yellow peach with skin, hints of watermelon at the rind, touch of pink grapefruit, something in between Cointreau & Grand Marnier, sun tea, very soft chalk & white spice, limestone marl with orange & red flowers, rainfall acidity, nicely knitted, a fair amount of tension for an aged Rosé, excellent balance & structured with a smartly polished, elegant, lush finish that lasts nearly two- minutes.
This 2010 is in high cotton and not slowing down. Another 8-10 years with maybe more. Leans into 95.
Pairing; Organic Heirloom tomatoes grown in a greenhouse topped w/ di Stefano Burrata, Spanish Ricon Subbetica Olive Oil, Tondo Balsamic Vinegar (the best period), organic fresh basil, Companion Simple Sourdough Crustini’s. — 4 months ago
Nose has lightly grilled lemon, wet limestone, oxidized green apple peel, minor oak char and vanilla creme.
Palate has day-old lemon zest, yellow apple pulp, dried white florals, slight lanolin and dry earth. Mild acidity, just doing wonderful tonight.
Our last bottle of 2016 😢. Paired great with large slabs of Steelhead trout on the grill, toasted orzo with garden herbs and a wonderful salad of microgreens with early lettuces from a local farmer. Our greens likely to be ready in a couple more weeks. 🤤 I really need a full on greenhouse, a cold frame isn't enough! — 4 years ago
Super fun terroir Greenhouse profile. Added spice, leather, cedar after opening up. LOVELY!!! — 7 years ago
Jay Kline
A tiny, south facing and protected parcel of 80 year old vines, “Champ de Cour” typically shows its quality even when young and this bottle was no exception.
Double-decanted two hours prior to service; enjoyed over the course of three hours. The 2020 “Champ de Cour” pours a deep ruby/purple with medium+ viscosity and light staining of the tears. The nose evokes fresh cut roses in the greenhouse (yes, a touch funky), strawberry (with the leaves), the purple Fun Dip, granite earth, green herbs, and decomposing wood. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+ and grippy. Fresh, ripe and rustic. I love these wines from Thibault. As I eluded to earlier, I find these drink much better than the VV young. The VV needs about 7 years to really start strutting. Drink this now with some patience and through 2030. Thanks Andy! — 2 months ago