Monday, August 11, 2008

Geeking out (again) at Terroir SF





It was a celebratory evening last Wednesday night, as my friend Paul was in town and decided to have an assortment of friends - mainly wine business types - meet at Terroir. This makes sense as Paul has been a vocal advocate of naturally made wines for at least the past several years (longer, perhaps?) Though a bit under the weather, Paul clearly was in his element, staring slack jawed at the selection of wines from the Jura, remarking excitedly about what a ridiculous list the three man crew at Terroir have assembled, and clearly happy to catch up with old friends and share some great bottles. Which, of course is what it's all about. And, as anyone who reads wine blogs should well know, it's also all about trying to remember these various bottles and inform the masses on what one thinks is good (and not). So, in rough order of consumption, here are some quick (and I do mean quick) TN's.






Gros Jean Cremant de Jura 2001 - super earthy and funky, not very fresh nor charming.



Luc Massy Dezaley Chemin de Fer Chasselas Grand Cru 2001- a repeat from a few weeks ago. Found it more delicate, pretty and floral this time around



2000 Movia Puro - Disgorged by yours truly. Tart bitter cherry, maybe a bit lambic like? 50% Pinot Nero, 50% Ribolla. Cool wine, my first puro experience.



2006 Chidaine Rose sparkler - Sweet, one-dimensional and not as good as my favorite bugey cerdons. My disdain for sparkling Chidaines continues....



Bruno Michel Blanc de Blancs 1er Cru - Fun, bright, somewhat simple BdB.



2004 Thierry Puzelat 'in KO we trust' Cot - pure cot deliciousness. Floral, dark fruited, intense, fresh.



2005 Courtois 'Racine'- Fairly bright, high toned berries with some SSF (that's 'sans soufre funk,' see here for a related post)



2005 Freres Grosjean Fumin (Valle d'aosta) - Dark, penetrating, not fresh and alpine until the finish. Slowly grew on me.



2000 Montborgeau Cuvee Speciale L'etoile - nutty, bright, great intensity, nuance and depth. WOTN!



2006 Dard et Ribot Crozes-Hermitage - sweet, smoky, savory.

Back from Calistoga and Sonoma



Sorry I took an unannounced vacation for a few days, there. Had some tasty food at Ubuntu, amazing cocktails at Cyrus, a dead bottle of '71 BV George de Latour and occasionally good food at Barn Diva. As far as winery visits, my family and I stuck with a few Napa classics - Storybook Mountain Vineyards and Schramsberg - and tasted through some solid wines at Unti in the Dry Creek Valley. Back this week with a rundown of some geek wines from another night at Terroir, perhaps a more detailed post on one or two elements from last weekend, and definitely another chapter from Spain: Rioja.

Have a terrific week...and thanks for reading.