Comments for Just Grapes

Comment on Giacomo Conterno Cascina Francia Barolo 1990 by Shea

Shea — Wed, 09 May 2012 04:58:12 +0000

Frank, I’m glad the post resonated with you – it is all too easy for us to go into these sorts of experiences with a limited perspective and thinking only of being ‘blown away’. But you are right that the only way to get something out of the experience you have to be honest, humble and open minded. Cheers!

Comment on Giacomo Conterno Cascina Francia Barolo 1990 by Frank

Frank — Tue, 08 May 2012 22:59:18 +0000

Amazing wine! I’m always humbled and grateful whenever I am fortunate enough to drink an old wine that clearly “still got it” after all those years. Your post really resonated with me. A great bottle is so much more than just a trophy. To truly enjoy it, one has to be honest, humble, and open-minded. If you are successful, a great bottle can be a glimpse at perfection, a portal to unfading memories, a rare moment for self-reflection, and so much more. This is why my hunt for the next great bottle will never end.

Keep us the amazing work Shea!

Comment on Giacomo Conterno Cascina Francia Barolo 1990 by Shea

Shea — Tue, 08 May 2012 22:21:23 +0000

Thanks Frank. The wine was decanted for about 3 hours just after opening, and then re-bottled. It was half consumed and then left in the bottle (with the cork in the top) at room temperature overnight. There were no signs of oxidation the next day (probably because of the tannins).

Comment on Giacomo Conterno Cascina Francia Barolo 1990 by Frank

Frank — Tue, 08 May 2012 22:18:17 +0000

Wonderful post. By the way, when you say “let it open over night”, did you do that in a decanter or was that done in the original bottle. I sometimes read people let their wines breathe over night, but was not sure exactly how they did it.

Comment on Spotlight on Nebbiolo: Mauro Veglio “Castelletto” Barolo 2000 by Annie Lau

Annie Lau — Mon, 07 May 2012 16:15:02 +0000

Thanks for the great review! 2007 Castelletto should be arriving over the next couple weeks.

Comment on Hospice du Rhone 20th Anniversary: Of Conflict, Contrasts and Community by Weston

Weston — Sun, 06 May 2012 01:48:43 +0000

Oh Christophe Baron yeah I could see that.

Comment on Kongsgaard v. Delille Estate: Two Aged Whites from the United States by Shea

Shea — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 16:59:16 +0000

Greg, thanks for the comment. You’ve sold me on trying several more of kongsgaard’s chards. I’m curious why you think his cellar technique might impact ageability. Does it have to do with the stability of the wine or something else?

Comment on Kongsgaard v. Delille Estate: Two Aged Whites from the United States by Greg Lill

Greg Lill — Tue, 20 Mar 2012 17:44:18 +0000

How interesting that you have our wine, DeLille Cellars Chaluer Estate Blanc with one of my favorite Chardonnays from California, Kongsgaard. I do have both wines in my cellars so I will have to try them as well. John Kongsgaard is obviously a great wine maker. I visted him years ago when he was making the wine at Luna at the start of the Silverado trail. At that time he called his winemaking technique as “Death and Reserection”, that he would get the Chardonnay on the lees and stir for a few weeks and then leave the wines alone for several months and “reserect” the wine later. This can be a risky way to barrel age Chardonnay and that may account for some of the variation I have expiereinced as well on aging his Chardonnays. One thing I can say is that when you get one that is good it is REALLY good!! He is still one of my favorite producers of California Chardonnay and I continue to stay on his mailing list every year.

Comment on Spotlight on Portuguese Dry Wine: Quinta do Crasto Vinha da Ponte 2003 by Shea

Shea — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 04:35:49 +0000

I would suggest using wine searcher to find a retailer.

Comment on Spotlight on Portuguese Dry Wine: Quinta do Crasto Vinha da Ponte 2003 by Bill Schlauch

Bill Schlauch — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 01:57:45 +0000

How can I purchase a bottle or two of the Quinta Do Crasto 2003?