Burgundy night. A 2019 burgundy (the red) that is drinking really, really well right now. The white is damn good too.

Paired with escargot risotto.

never had a white Marsannay...

We had a 1971 Fontanafredda Barolo. It had nice fruit up front and the earthiness of an old wine on the back end. It wasn't mind blowing, but it was fun to drink.

It seems that of these really old Barolos and many are the same. Had a '64 recently though, that was actually good as opposed to just "fun" or "interesting". Amazing, still had tannins and some fruit. Thanks to aggiejumper who seems to come up with so much of this great stuff!

cecil77 said:

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It seems that of these really old Barolos and many are the same. Had a '64 recently though, that was actually good as opposed to just "fun" or "interesting". Amazing, still had tannins and some fruit. Thanks to aggiejumper who seems to come up with so much of this great stuff!

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nice Marchise from 1964! very cool

Those are some bad ass Barolos. I'm drinking a Bonny Doon Picpoul Blanc and a pretty tasty cheap (<$20) Bordeaux.

We also had a 67 Fontanafredda a few weeks ago. Not as lively at the Marchesi but holding in there pretty well.

Need to rename this thread to the "old wine" thread

Been really into Chardonnay lately. Having a 2018 Barnett Sangiacomo tonight (vineyard in Carneros).

What do y'all like in terms of domestic Chardonnay? Cali, Oregon? Styles or subregions of note?

Also, I hear every now and then about Chardonnay out of Italy. Anyone ever try any of this? To me, if I'm going Italian and it's not a Super Tuscan blend, I am not sure I would go for many International varieties from there.

We're at a buddy's house out west this weekend and he broke these out. The Cloudview is actually one of mine that I left here years ago and it got pushed to the back of his cellar. I had just one taste and it wasn't bad for the $30 or so I spent on it way back in 2008. The Maybach was good but it wasn't the best Maybach I've had. So instead of finishing it, I gave my glass to my wife and had a Pliny.

Chipotlemonger said:

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Been really into Chardonnay lately. Having a 2018 Barnett Sangiacomo tonight (vineyard in Carneros).

What do y'all like in terms of domestic Chardonnay? Cali, Oregon? Styles or subregions of note?

Also, I hear every now and then about Chardonnay out of Italy. Anyone ever try any of this? To me, if I'm going Italian and it's not a Super Tuscan blend, I am not sure I would go for many International varieties from there.

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If you're looking in Napa and Sonoma, Carneros and Sonoma Coast tend to be less buttery, and higher in acid, which I prefer. I've had some HdV wines (a partnership between the Hyde family and DRC) that are excellent wines at non-DRC prices. I really like Oregon Chardonnay, and I think they do Chardonnay better than their Pinot Noir, and I like their pinots. The issue is finding someone who's been making it there for a while, as a lot of the Chardonnay in Oregon is fairly young (they started ripping out Pinot Gris and planting Chardonnay about 10-15 year ago). I've had some great Chards from Bethel Heights (they have vines that were planted in the early 70s), Domaine Droughin and their sister property Roserock, and I like the Chardonnays from Evening Land, made by Mr. Acid Man Rajat Parr. I also had a VGW (Very Good White, that's what they call it) from 00 Wines that was very nice.

I've tried the Gaja Chardonnay, but I didn't buy it, and I wouldn't pay $250 for it, so for Italy, I'd stay away unless you really know what to look for.

Yes I agree on Oregon Chardonnay, love some of the stuff I've had from there! Even without ever drinking Chardonnay from Italy, I have the same thought process. Why bother hunting it down when there is so much more from the country and its much easier to price out/hunt French or US, or even Southern Hemisphere Chardonnay.

Chipotlemonger said:

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Been really into Chardonnay lately. Having a 2018 Barnett Sangiacomo tonight (vineyard in Carneros).

What do y'all like in terms of domestic Chardonnay? Cali, Oregon? Styles or subregions of note?

Also, I hear every now and then about Chardonnay out of Italy. Anyone ever try any of this? To me, if I'm going Italian and it's not a Super Tuscan blend, I am not sure I would go for many International varieties from there.

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Really depends on your flavor profile preference for chard, I think.

As mentioned, Sonoma Coast will generally be a leaner style. Most of those growers are really looking to pick early (generality). I buy wines from Ceritas who makes chardonnay from this area and also Santa Cruz Mtns. Carneros is a very good growing region and there are some quality Napa chards, generally bigger in style.

If you want a bit bigger and richer expression, I like the chard from SBC. Hang time in this area is really long so the fruit is ripe and full and cold enough at night to control the sugars and keep the acid.



Re; Italy chards, I have heard there are great and affordable chards grown in Piedmont, but I've never had one. I don't think production is very high and not much comes to the states. I have had some chard from Alto Adigo which was tasty. But as you said, I like a lot of the indigenous Italian whites and usually order those.

If I'm drinking a white from Piedmont, it's Arneis.

HTownAg98 said:

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If I'm drinking a white from Piedmont, it's Arneis.

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man, I've had some stinkers recently. I don't like them flabby, and that seems to be want populates a lot of Houston lists. I prefer them more floral and delicate. so been drinking trebbiano and etna bianco wines for my italian whites... plus some blends from northern part..

Decided to pop open a 2017 Realm Bard. Much more finesse than previous vintages I've tried, but still delicious. Kind of regret backing off from buying this one the last couple of years.

After visiting the Hospice du Beaune today, I found a shop and made some purchases. The Chateau de Rully was bought at a visit to their estate.

that looks awesome! How is weather?

It's been very nice. Highs in the mid-80s. Sunday in Lyon was hot as ****. We got to experience Le Mistral in Tain-L'Hermitage today. Extremely windy. We're in Viviers now, and it's supposed to be 93 tomorrow.

HTownAg98 said:

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It's been very nice. Highs in the mid-80s. Sunday in Lyon was hot as ****. We got to experience Le Mistral in Tain-L'Hermitage today. Extremely windy. We're in Viviers now, and it's supposed to be 93 tomorrow.

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I"m assuming that's unusually warm? (the over 90 days)

It was in the high 80s in Lyon and Tain-L'Hermitage, which is about normal for this time of year. Typically it's in the low 90s in the south. If our cruise would have been last week, it would have been miserable. Still not as miserable as Texas. Plus, the wine is cheaper here too.

Some friends from Barcelona came in last night. We were supposed to drink Priorats they packed up for us but United lost their luggage. All of it, clothes, wines, makeup, etc.

So instead we enjoyed a 2013 Realm Houyi and a 2013 Myriad Dr. Crane Elysian. While they weren't happy about losing the luggage, they did enjoy drinking some Napa cabs for a change of pace.

I'm not too hopeful my luggage is going to make it back either, so I haven't bought a lot of expensive bottles on this trip. I did put some AirTags on my luggage, so hopefully it can be found quickly if Lufthansa manages to lose it.

HTownAg98 said:

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I'm not too hopeful my luggage is going to make it back either, so I haven't bought a lot of expensive bottles on this trip. I did put some AirTags on my luggage, so hopefully it can be found quickly if Lufthansa manages to lose it.

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so some friends of ours just got back from Ireland and they had all kinds of baggag issues, too

What is the deal, just short staffing at euro airports?

All this lost luggage talk has me less than optimistic that my stuff is going to make it to Paris and back when we go in September.

On that note, any recs for wineries or tasting rooms in Colmar and Beaune?

bularry said:

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HTownAg98 said:

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I'm not too hopeful my luggage is going to make it back either, so I haven't bought a lot of expensive bottles on this trip. I did put some AirTags on my luggage, so hopefully it can be found quickly if Lufthansa manages to lose it.

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so some friends of ours just got back from Ireland and they had all kinds of baggag issues, too

What is the deal, just short staffing at euro airports?

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It's that and travel that is exceeding pre-pandemic levels in some areas. We were in baggage claim in Montreal looking for our bags before realizing they'd been checked through to Lyon. There were stacks of luggage just piled everywhere. Fortunately, ours all made it back, even with very short connections. The AirTags worked great, we could track our luggage through the airport. They're a good piece of insurance, as you'll know where your bags are, and the airline won't. Makes it much easier for them to get a lost bag to you.

ETA: does anyone know what US Customs will allow you to bring back duty-free for wine? I thought it was up to a liter, but we told the immigration agent we had seven bottles and they just waved us through.

It varies a bit by state, but generally if you have more than one liter per person they'll ask you questions to gauge whether it is for personal use or if you are a reseller. My wife and I brought a case back from Argentina and got questioned, but the guy waved us through once we convinced him we were going to drink it.

We spent the last week diving in Bonaire with some friends and brought a few wines to share. Not a bad trip…

(Not pictured: 2015 William & Mary and 2018 Faethem Grenache Rose)

2013:









And a mag of Pott for dinner tonight.

how was the '10 magnum? was it open or still pretty tight?

This particular wine is a little softer than his other wines so it was in a nice place. We've drunk that wine earlier than his other vineyards and it shows well so that's why I chose this one versus the Rutherford Arsenals we have in magnum format. I still gave it a couple hours of air but that taste upon popping the cork suggested it would have been fine without it.