Susan & I tried last night:
1. Jean-Baptiste Adam GWT LesNatures AC: Alsace (VinBiologique; FR-BIO-01; www.JB-Adam.Fr; www.TheSortingTable.com) Ammerschwihr 2013: Pale yellow color; fairly strong GWT/lychee/spicy bit nutmeg fairly clean/fruity rather pleasant/simple nose; off-dry/slightly sweet bit tart pleasant GWT/lychee/spicy/nutmeg light earthy clean/simple/fruity flavor; med.long off-dry low-key/GWT/lychee/subtle slightly tart/tangy pleasant/simple finish; clean for an organic(?)/biodynamic(?) Alsatian GWT but rather pleasant/simple/undistinguished GWT & way overpriced; the 2$Chuck of Alsace; one small step above Hugel Gentile. $28.00 (SFW&S)
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2. VentanaVnyd PinotNoir VentanaVnyd/Monterey Reserve (Decant/Unfltrd; EB; 12.5%) Soledad 1980: Med.light rather browning color; very strong toasty/Fr.oak/smokey/charred rather herbal/green chile/smokey rather earthy/dusty/Loire-style Pinot complex very interesting nose; some tart very strong poencilly/smokey/Fr.oak/charred/burnt rather herbal/bit vegetal metallic/tangy complex flavor w/ light/bit drying tannins; very long strong charred/burnt/Fr.oak/tobaccoy/ash tray/toasted rather herbal/bit vegetal/earthy/metallic finish w/ light/drying tannins; clearly on the tired side of maturity but still some quite interesting things therein and still some life; an old-timey Monterey Pinot like DickPeterson/MontereyVnyd or EdFriedrichs/CharlesLeFranc; way over expectations. $15.00
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The ole BloodyPulpit:
1. I've sung the praises of DougMeador/VentanaVnyd in the past for planting the first really cold-climate Syrah vnyd in Calif. During that early era of Ventana, he made some lovely Chard/Pinot/Riesling. He's responsible for "discovering" SauvignonMusque. He made huge contributions (along w/ BillJeckel) on learning how to properly farm grapes in the SalinasVlly. Alas, he's seldom recognized for his significant contributions. LaurieDaniel did a nice interview of Doug:
DougMeadorInterview
I gather he's still alive but no longer making wine.
Tom