Allan Bree and his Jimsomares

THE ROAD TO JIMSOMARE

We began to gather at the Redbird at 6:30 PM, July 2. Bree pulled ten bottle verticals of Ridge Jimsomare Cabernet Sauvignon CP (the old Cabernet Program) and Zinfandel ATP ATP (Advanced Tasting Program) from his collection; some of the participants also donated bottles of the same. What’s more, attendees brought a veritable plethora of other fine selections, and I never came close to tasting half of them.

Executive Chef Kirke Byers hors d’oeuvres and entrees were first class, but I was so busy taking notes, I would have missed most had it not been for The Director preparing me a care plate. In fact, I didn’t get to interact with the guests nearly as much as I would have liked, but then, I was working. I was going to take notes on all twenty of the Jimsomares, come hell or high water.

Yeah, it was a tough job, but somebody had to do it… }:^)>

THE APERITIFS

1998 Rochioli Russian River Valley Sauvignon Blanc; 13.5 % alc.: I noted less cat spray in this medium straw than in last years model, but a few days later at the winery, there was a lot more. Go figure. There was big spicy pear with a spritz of citrus on the nose and palate` with good acidity. 9-Ball noted distinctive grapefruit while Madame mentioned "pine", and both were right on in that assessment. Like many of its Loire cousins, there was a hint of detergent on the long finish of this world class Sauvignon. We brought four of these home.

1983 S. Anderson Napa Blanc de Blanc from magnum; 12.9 % alc.: This medium straw to pale gold bubbly is not only remarkably well preserved for its age, it’s damned good! Toasty/yeasty/nutty aromatics follow through on the tongue with rich, bold, delicious flavors, good acidity and tons o’ bubbles. Wish I could have lingered long over this…

1994 Weingut Brundlmayer Zobinger Heiligenstein Alte Reben (Riesling; Austria); 12.5 % Alc.: SFJoe always brings great Austrian whites with him to these affairs, and tonight was no exception; he contributed three. This pale straw is smooth and refreshing, with pretty floral/apple/mineral/bees wax characteristics.

1994 Weingut Brundlmayer Gruner Veltliner Ried Loiser Berg; 12.5 % alc.: Another pale to medium straw, with a wee hint of petrol over Granny Smith green apple/mineral flavors and aromas. I found the flavors to be rich and tasty, but Joe said this was a little funky. I’ll take his word for it; he’s had it before. His friend Sharon said this was reminiscent of a "wet bunny." A definite nominee for "Best Tasting Note Descriptor of the Year…"

1994 Josef Jamek Riesling Smaragd Zwerithaler Joching Wachau; 13.5 %: This medium straw shows dry wet stone/green apple character that Joe called rustic, adding "but I like it! Not the highest expression of the varietal, though" Well, I liked it too, and I’d buy some of these, if they were available in Day-twah.

THE JIMSOMARE ZINFANDELS   | THE JIMSOMARE CABERNETS

EVENING WRAP-UP  |  TOP OF PAGE