Uncork Life! Blog

I am impressed by the quality of information on th...

2011-06-23T14:34:46.100-04:00

I am impressed by the quality of information on this website. There are a lot of good resources here. I am sure I will visit this place again soon.

well written post Brian! best! Bob

2011-06-22T15:36:16.380-04:00

well written post Brian!

best!
Bob

Hear! Hear! Anything that helps PA get rid of the ...

2011-06-06T21:15:25.187-04:00

Hear! Hear! Anything that helps PA get rid of the PLCB as it stands is a good thing.

You can find out more about the film "Pelican...

2011-05-24T12:16:25.447-04:00

You can find out more about the film "Pelican's Watch" at http://lagff.org

@The Sediment Blog -- that's not the same wine...

2011-05-06T20:22:01.603-04:00

@The Sediment Blog -- that's not the same wine; the Sasso al Poggio is a Supertuscan -- Sangiovese but also Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon.

I participate in wine tasting many times.Sometimes...

2011-04-19T01:59:45.741-04:00

I participate in wine tasting many times.Sometimes tasting barrel samples is quite different from experiencing the real thing; an entirely different mindset and metric is brought to the task than it is for tasting the finished product.

Good information, Brian. I'll make it a point...

2011-04-18T10:41:02.090-04:00

Good information, Brian. I'll make it a point to
try a few of them. I'll check out your report for suggestions.

Touche Brian! I think we have reached d'accor...

2011-04-07T19:37:37.730-04:00

Touche Brian! I think we have reached d'accord here. and your bottom line "Not drinking a bottle of great wine seems an awful waste" is inarguable. My only quibble is, change 'drinking' to "Sharing". I know you imply it, because that's what we really do with the best wines.

Being in Bordeaux this week, while I have had a milkshake after tasting 57 St Emilions in an afternoon, I have yet to see the ever elusive Petrus-and-coke cocktail, despite the many chinese importers present! That of course is a joke because those who have been to China laugh at this western-created rumor to disparage the now legendary collectors filling their cellars in Asia.

The 2010's are big, thunderous wines, many brilliant, and also, many where the winemaker failed the difficult assignment of demonstrating restraint in the face of beauty... there are some over-extracted, and some very dry lick-the-barrel finishes, particularly on Merlot-dominant wines that came in close to 15%. Am on the Left Bank for two more days finishing up.

And having tasted Lafite, I swear if I could pay $1500 a bottle, that would be one to choose. After the retailer runs out of Lafleur, of course!

Interesting link, Brian. We've had occasion t...

2011-03-29T11:45:01.511-04:00

Interesting link, Brian. We've had occasion to taste some of those producers, but none of those particular vintages! Hopefully a few the modern day vintages will become legend in their own time. But can I take issue with the premise of your opening? If I don't, my entire career in business marketing is invalidated! (Hey maybe that's a good thing).

If wine was just for the "one purpose of consumption", then would Mouton put so much effort into that artist's label above for collection and display? Would Lafite etch a Chinese number 8 onto the bottle, and watch the value soar? If it were just for consumption would fine wine be priced at $300, $500, $1000 a bottle? (Never mind Cognac sold in Baccarat cut crystal for $10k+). While it will get consumed one day, don't mistake the idea that today's PRODUCERS of a $1000 bottle of wine have it primarily for consumption any more than Ferrari is for commuting.

And all of those wines listed are now well into the Ferrari price level, worthy of display for the rarity and value they possess.

In fact, the reason some fine wines sell for what they do is because the offer something more than mere consumption. The 2008 Lafites are now worth 10x more to the Chinese than they are to me. It's a $2000 bottle in Hong Kong! The businessman who can give the gift of Lafite in China honors his guests, and also demonstrates his own power (or his prescience if he bought them at $200). Perhaps the recipient needs to see such a display to forge the relationship. And the relationship might be worth millions. Who knows, but if it was because of the wine rather than the label, then Lafite wouldn't be priced to the moon. That would be a good experiment... go to China, plonk down a bottle of Yellow Tail and say, "Let's make a deal!"

Don't begrudge the aspirational collector who displays wines any more than the collector who displays art, watches, guns, books, big game, or whatever they're into. They'll get round to opening it at some point. But meanwhile, if it is rare and precious and special to them, why not?

And I know you Brian Freedman, you old softie! I saw the look on your face and heard the catch in your voice when you stepped into the vineyards at Cheval Blanc for the first time, a look only recently eclipsed by the priceless look on your face holding your new baby, lol. The pic of you walking in the Yquem vineyards is your FB profile pic. Why not display one from Chaddsford, your local?

Hmmm - perhaps more in the territory of the "...

2011-03-15T16:39:21.658-04:00

Hmmm - perhaps more in the territory of the "casual consumers"? Our own verdict (for what it's worth) is here: http://sedimentblog.blogspot.com/2010/09/familae-piccini-chianti-riserva-2007.html

Hi Vigo, We don't send our wines to Parker, a...

2011-03-07T09:00:16.249-05:00

Hi Vigo,

We don't send our wines to Parker, and the Jordans take a long-term view on pricing. We continue to be proud of the fact that we make a $100 bottle of wine for $50.

Cheers,
Lisa
http://blog.jordanwinery.com

Shake it!!!

2011-02-21T16:42:44.538-05:00

Shake it!!!

Interesting!

2011-01-23T18:58:41.313-05:00

Interesting!

Know the Jordan Cabs well. Had a longtime friend, ...

2011-01-03T00:56:58.768-05:00

Know the Jordan Cabs well.
Had a longtime friend, chef restauranteur
who named his Son after Jordan.

Sunday Jan 2nd.
Watched MondoVino over the holiday.
Hoping that Jordan is not like Ornellaia,
which they admit is "globalized."
Ludovico Antinori admits that the smoothing of
the edges, and character of wine has undermined the true adventure, that was wine.

Note: when Parker gave Ornellaia "Best Wine in the World," it went up 200%.

Say a prayer for Jordan. Going to drink it now.

Thank you!

2010-12-13T11:08:40.920-05:00

Thank you!

Hey Brian! Thanks for the article and the link. In...

2010-12-10T19:35:22.537-05:00

Hey Brian! Thanks for the article and the link. Interesting stuff. I purchased 2 bottles of Israeli wines the other day as I plan for my "Exotics" class at Pinot in January: Gamla Cabernet 2006 from Galilee and a Shiraz/Cabernet blend from Noah Winery in the Judean Hills. I tried the Noah last night and was moderately impressed with the balance of fruit and structure and it's complexity (lots of secondary flavors going on). of course, anything with the name "Noah" has got to be good, right?

Brian, We missed you on Wednesday at the Californ...

2010-12-10T19:12:59.395-05:00

Brian, We missed you on Wednesday at the California wine tasting. But was told your wife had gone into labor, but didn't have any word of the birth. How exciting it must have been for you both!!! Much happiness and good health to you all. Can't wait to see pictures of your new darling. Mary Ann & Al (designated driver) Julg

Great Bordeaux is always in our hearts. It's ...

2010-12-07T04:16:11.940-05:00

Great Bordeaux is always in our hearts.

It's just out of our price range.

Great Bordeaux is never out of our hearts. Only ou...

2010-12-06T11:10:00.834-05:00

Great Bordeaux is never out of our hearts. Only out of our price range.

Thanks for the lesson. :)

2010-12-06T10:40:44.178-05:00

Thanks for the lesson. :)

Love the Mt Veeder

2010-12-04T18:33:10.169-05:00

Love the Mt Veeder

Just picked up a bottle of this. I'm a huge A...

2010-11-03T16:38:15.676-04:00

Just picked up a bottle of this. I'm a huge Alsatian fan (visited Colmar this last Spring). Your review seems right-on for the well-made Gewurztraminer's I've had before. Looking forward to cracking this one open with Raclette or fondue.

Mendoza region is the leading producer of Malbec i...

2010-10-16T08:41:14.372-04:00

Mendoza region is the leading producer of Malbec in Argentina - can't wait to read your notes about it.

Brian: Your description of the nose of the wine a...

2010-10-13T17:13:03.058-04:00

Brian: Your description of the nose of the wine and the flavours are among the best I've read. You are so detailed and elaborate. You should write recipes!

Barista Pinotage WOW - most promising Pinotage I h...

2010-09-22T17:01:50.561-04:00

Barista Pinotage WOW - most promising Pinotage I have ever tasted. This wine is absolutely delicious!!