A few from Kermit Lynch (and a visit to Ali Akbar College of Music)
Though I've spent a lot of time in the Bay Area, I oddly never made the trip to Kermit Lynch Wine Merchant in Berkeley.
For those unfamiliar with Kermit Lynch, he is a wine importer in Berkeley that specializes in importing "natural", unfiltered wine from all over France (especially lesser known regions). An ex-hippie, musician, writer, retailer, and importer, Kermit has a cool gig.
I stepped into his retail shop, and let's just say it wasn't what I expected (though I'm not sure what I was expecting)--- Dead quiet. Silent. Noiseless.... No, it wasn't empty, it just felt more like a library or church. Kermit's sales people were helpful, but distant- very distant. When a question was asked, and answered, I felt like they hustled away- patiently waiting for another question, or just something to happen. Professional, but just unsettling to someone used to the charms and chatter of the South.
I grabbed a few bottles, and opened them back in the ATL.
(Halloween is coming!)
2006 Clos Ste. Magdeleine Cassis
(France, Provence, Cassis) White Blend (Marsanne? Ugni Blanc?) Approx $20.
Yellow. Stankin' up the joint with minerals & melon, basil & anise- Flinty.
Medium bodied with tons of minerals, salt, and acidity on the palate. Crazy tangy and a long rocky finish.
Somewhat light and easy drinking, but this was a refreshing bottle. (Day 2, this was far more expressive). I like it.
2006 Chanrion Côte de Brouilly Domaine de la Voute des Crozes
(France, Burgundy, Beaujolais, Côte de Brouilly) Gamay. Approx. $20
Cherry colored. A big aroma of hot dinner rolls, Super-Floral- like gawt-damnged tulips! (and roses), and a little red grape.
Medium bodied, some berry and earth on the palate. Nice acidity, small gripping tannins (like being gently squeezed by hundreds of cupie doll hands!), dirty, slightly bitter finish.
This is pretty tight and simple upon opening (and still pretty young). On day 2, this was open for business.
Though there are not a lot of sellers (and not a lot of buyers) of Cru Beaujolais in ATL, I still think it is one of the best deals out there, and this stuff is ridiculously food friendly.
---------------------
After some time in Berkeley, I headed back to my old stomping ground in San Rafael to poke my head in at the Ali Akbar College of Music. I got to reconnect with some old friends, sit through an advanced tabla class, pay my respects, and take a trip down memory lane.
This is an amazing place.
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A few from Kermit Lynch (and a visit to Ali Akbar College of Music)
Though I've spent a lot of time in the Bay Area, I oddly never made the trip to Kermit Lynch Wine Merchant in Berkeley.
For those unfamiliar with Kermit Lynch, he is a wine importer in Berkeley that specializes in importing "natural", unfiltered wine from all over France (especially lesser known regions). An ex-hippie, musician, writer, retailer, and importer, Kermit has a cool gig.
I stepped into his retail shop, and let's just say it wasn't what I expected (though I'm not sure what I was expecting)--- Dead quiet. Silent. Noiseless.... No, it wasn't empty, it just felt more like a library or church. Kermit's sales people were helpful, but distant- very distant. When a question was asked, and answered, I felt like they hustled away- patiently waiting for another question, or just something to happen. Professional, but just unsettling to someone used to the charms and chatter of the South.
I grabbed a few bottles, and opened them back in the ATL.
(Halloween is coming!)
2006 Clos Ste. Magdeleine Cassis
(France, Provence, Cassis) White Blend (Marsanne? Ugni Blanc?) Approx $20.
Yellow. Stankin' up the joint with minerals & melon, basil & anise- Flinty.
Medium bodied with tons of minerals, salt, and acidity on the palate. Crazy tangy and a long rocky finish.
Somewhat light and easy drinking, but this was a refreshing bottle. (Day 2, this was far more expressive). I like it.
2006 Chanrion Côte de Brouilly Domaine de la Voute des Crozes
(France, Burgundy, Beaujolais, Côte de Brouilly) Gamay. Approx. $20
Cherry colored. A big aroma of hot dinner rolls, Super-Floral- like gawt-damnged tulips! (and roses), and a little red grape.
Medium bodied, some berry and earth on the palate. Nice acidity, small gripping tannins (like being gently squeezed by hundreds of cupie doll hands!), dirty, slightly bitter finish.
This is pretty tight and simple upon opening (and still pretty young). On day 2, this was open for business.
Though there are not a lot of sellers (and not a lot of buyers) of Cru Beaujolais in ATL, I still think it is one of the best deals out there, and this stuff is ridiculously food friendly.
---------------------
After some time in Berkeley, I headed back to my old stomping ground in San Rafael to poke my head in at the Ali Akbar College of Music. I got to reconnect with some old friends, sit through an advanced tabla class, pay my respects, and take a trip down memory lane.
