"The Force" is what we seek in wine. The invisible power that connects all things. The thread that links time, weather, the soil, place, land, the people, and ultimately your consciousness and soul. It is that "something more" that we experience when we encounter truly great wines-- to experience this phenomenon in plain light.
Recently, I have had a lot of wines that were
way LOW on The Force... Several were almost
discouraging. And Not all were fruit-concentrate junk-- A few were older bottles that should have been elegant,mature, sophisticated experiences- but they had simply missed their window, and ended-up more like trying to play Yahtzee with a
corpse.
That being said, I recently opened a few bottles that weren't 100%, but that gave me what I wanted- Room to look, questions to ask, and just a wee
glimmer of the force.
WINE I:
Straw Yellow- HEADY White flowers, a little burnt match, and baking spice. Medium bodied, Indian rose water, acids, and so dry it is almost dehydrating. A long dry finish with a streak of minerals and a touch of bitterness.
For a CA dry Gewurz- I'm impressed. It has a pretty nose that is deep, but not a freaker. It almost borders on too dry, but it does show that Gewurz has some West Coast potential. I wouldn't say the "The Force" is overwhelming here, but it does make me look deeper into the glass.
(Rowdy's Venison Curry Spoon with Greek Yogurt and Couscous)WINE II:
Some days you just need to scream WTF?
But in a good way.
Rowdy had some Venison in the house that he decided to whoop-up into curried goodness. Wildly great stuff. Definitely worth taking out Bambi's mother for.
I washed down the venison with--
2006 Trenel Fleurie Clos des Morieres(France, Burgundy, Beaujolais, Fleurie) Gamay variety. Approx $27 at Barrelman. Nationally on Snooth. Robert Chadderdon Selections.Red. Like real red, not cherry, purple, or black. An intense nose of African violet- green, a little cherry, and lots of white pepper. Tart on the palate- almost like cranberry juice, more pepper, earth, light bodied, great acid, medium tannins, and a long, tightly wound finish.
This needs air (I decanted 90min), but it is ballsy juice. Almost like a bantamweight fighter. Light bodied, but not filtered, and so capable of holding its own with food. Just enough body, pepper, and food craving acidity.
Again, though not 100% there (yet), this juice when paired with the food was strong with The Force. A righteous, curious pairing, that just kept on keeping on.
----------------
Call it what you will, but the possibility of great wines is in more than bringing joy- It brings thought and a chance to the amazing interconnectedness of the positive vibrations at play in the universe.
Recent Comments