I frequently measure our wines against the world’s highest rated and rarest of bottles. Always within the same vintage, or close. We blind many more times than not and I can tell you the results are striking. I won’t mention any names but recently I opened both a Pinot and Chardonnay from the same producer that scored 98 and 96 points. This wine was made by a highly regarded wine maker and we opened these wines next to mine from the same vintage. I took the liberty of having my co-winemaker, and added to the mix three other people who are on different levels of wine knowledge. One extremely knowledgeable, one in the middle, and one starting out. Since you don’t need to guess, the tasting was not close and in fact the pinot from my competitor was barely drinkable. Barely drinkable for a 98 point wine. Something is wrong in wineville my friends. The ships running without a keel in a circle heading nowhere.

Some of this is from the writer himself who believes if the winemaker is famous the wine has to be good, some of this is from the wine directors who think the same. The wines are not varietal correct in many cases but these folks just don’t know any better. It’s a simple truth that if your told from an early age that black is white and white is black you will believe it, no other point of reference. If your told that a wine that is 13.5% on the label you believe it. But after tasting a while you can bet I’m leery of a label that says 13.5% and finishes hot. I can tell you there are wines that boast 14% and are really 16%. The reason I bring this up again is the wine is no longer Varietal correct, at least not in the case of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. And if a young Sommelier has tasted only high Alc. wines for a long time that’s what he or she thinks is correct. It’s just the way things are! I don’t like being cheated, and if I’m told something it should stand to reason it’s reasonably correct. So 98 should be good, 13.5% should be close, and Gucci should be Gucci?

Look I’m not saying our wine we blinded in this scenario should receive a 98 but I am saying the 98 point wine was terrible and it’s a scam. It is not possible for one critic to judge blind all wines every year next to one another. But I believe a panel of tasters should score all wines blind send in their scores and use the net weighted score. They should never compare notes with each other, and not ever be sent the same wine as another judge at the same time. They should be sent in non labeled bottles and judged then scored as sample numbers. The wine then receives its average score and then revealed. Also by the way it should be tested for Alcohol, V.A., Sugar, Bret., T/A and Ph. also Sulfur.

Being transparent can only help the misinformed, weed out the misleader’s, and help the misfortunate. It will put the brilliant young up and coming wine maker on an equal playing field. It will give our consumers confidence and push the whole industry into better wines on every level. Oh and we might educate the misfortunate who have been told these untruths for so long and bring them to an awakening.

Here’s to the base pads all being 90 feet away and playing the same game,

G

I travelled to Asia for business and to sell our wine. It is true; China is an up and coming super power that wants for everything Western. However, it is also equally important to know they are a fledgling in wine knowledge but are catching on very quickly. The opposite is true when talking of Korea (that would be South Korea for those Googling). The Korean people have moved through the Cabernet Only Crown to Pinot, and are Burgundy lovers also. They enjoy a wide range of wines and are very knowledgeable and open. Their people are as pleasant, as any I’ve come to know, and although reserved in their approach to life, they enjoy themselves when the opportunity is appropriate. I have never had a distributor that was more professional, from the sales people, public relation people and my partner, Ms. Kim our interpreter. My dear friend Dr. Kim made me aware of this great market and its people and I will forever be grateful for his influence at our inception and his introduction into this new land and market. To say I was treated with celebrity status would be an understatement; it is more accurate to say I was treated with GREAT respect. A key word in this culture that hold’s more meaning than most others.

I would like you to imagine, if you can, just for a moment, what it’s like to be within artillery range from the North. In fact, there are so many long-range guns trained on Seoul from the North, the estimates are the city would be rubble before they could be taken out. This is because they are hidden in the mountains within caverns and near impossible to get to. When asked about such things, the people say they are aware but choose to conduct their lives without fear. The people of Korea are resilient and determined. They will not allow themselves to be governed by fear. They are a free society of amazing people. Korean life is full of culture, innovation and peace, with old world values that serve them well. A must visit for those so inclined. ??

Happy New Year to all, and look for some big announcements next year. We are just getting warmed up!

Greg Linn
www.greglinnwines.com
www.unfilteredwinereport.com

2008 Greg Linn Wines Sauvignon Blanc White Hills Vineyard – 92 Points RP
The 2008 Sauvignon Blanc White Hills Vineyard is a classic Sauvignon with more stoniness and minerality than most California examples. Crisp honeydew melon, lemon grass, and fig notes emerge from this medium-bodied, impressively concentrated white. It should continue to drink well for another 2-3 years.

2007 Greg Linn Wines Chardonnay Grangerville Vineyard – 94+ Points RP
Also 100% barrel-fermented, the 2007 Chardonnay Grangerville Vineyard reveals a light medium gold color along with aromas of nectarines, white peaches, crushed rocks, creme brulee, and honeyed lemon. Fresh, full-bodied, rich, and structured, with little oak in evidence, I would not be surprised to see this Chardonnay age for a decade or more.

2007 Greg Linn Wines Pinot Noir Hudson Vineyard – 90+ Points RP
The 2007 Pinot Noir Hudson Vineyard (from a site further north in Carneros, is 100% destemmed. This wine has undeniable elegance, crisp sweet and sour cherry, red currant, pomegranate, and spring flower notes, medium body, and silky tannins. Drink it over the next 5-6 years.

2007 Greg Linn Wines Pinot Noir le Bon Climat Vineyard – 93+ Points RP
The stunning 2007 Pinot Noir Le Bon Climat Vineyard was fermented with 100% whole clusters. Its dark plum/ruby color is accompanied by a sweet bouquet of damp earth, forest floor, fresh porcini mushrooms, black currants, sweet cherries, and spice. Deep, full-bodied, rich, and long, this wine is still tightly coiled, but it should unfold over the next 10+ years.

2007 Greg Linn Wines Pinot Noir Rimrock Vineyard – 95+ Points RP
Only 1,080 bottles were produced of the 2007 Pinot Noir Rimrock Vineyard (100% whole cluster fermentation was utilized). It exhibits copious aromas of tobacco leaf, red cherries, fresh mushrooms, and black currants. The earthy character, full-bodied mouthfeel, stunning concentration, and fresh acids result in a wine that requires several more years of bottle age. It should age effortlessly for 10-15 years.

2007 Greg Linn Wines Pinot Noir Grangerville Vineyard – 90+ Points RP
Greg Linn’s love affair with acidity appears to have gone over the top with the 2007 Pinot Noir Grangerville Vineyard from the Santa Maria hills. Fashioned from 100% whole clusters, it displays a dense ruby/purple color. The proprietor believes this may be the greatest wine he has ever produced, and perhaps it will prove to be that in ten years’ time. At present, the acids are higher than most. It is a pure wine with plenty of interesting aromas, but it is virtually impossible to penetrate. I think it should turn out to be outstanding. Those who like pure native acids in their Pinot Noirs will undoubtedly rate is higher than I did.

2006 Greg Line Ambullneo Vineyards Rim Rock Vineyard Syrah – 94 Points RP
The prodigious 2006 Syrah Rim Rock is pedal-to-the-medal Syrah with great balance in addition to great power and precision. From limestone soils, this wine offers up notes of black raspberry, black currant, blackberry, licorice, and graphite. The wine is dense, full-bodied, yet combines power with a sense of elegance and equilibrium. Very layered in the mouth, with silky, sweet tannins, but a sense of structure and delineation, this is a beauty that can be approached now or cellared for 10 or more years.

2007 Greg Linn Wines Ambullneo Vineyards Chardonnay Big Paw – 93 Points RP
The 2007 Chardonnay Big Paw from Ambullneo Vineyards is Linn’s attempt to produce a full-bodied, Chablis-styled Chardonnay with no oak aging. Aged 16 months in stainless steel tanks, with full malolactic fermentation (indigenous as well), this beauty offers up aromas of lemon and lime zest intermixed with honeyed nectarines, orange rind, white currant, quince, and crushed rocks. This light straw-colored Chardonnay has a greenish hue (which I consider to be a good sign), excellent acidity, and a full-bodied, intense style. It should drink nicely for 3-4 years, possibly longer.

2007 Greg Linn Wines Ambullneo Vineyards Chardonnay Fang Blanc – 94 Points RP
Although the 2007 Ambullneo Vineyards Chardonnay Fang Blanc (100% barrel-fermented) is tightly coiled at present, there is no doubting its terrific potential. Tart acids underlie this light straw-colored wine that offers up notes of honeyed pears, tropical fruits, nectarines, and white peaches. Full-bodied, fresh, and crunchy, it is a total delight to smell and taste. Enjoy it over the next 5-7 years.

2007 Greg Linn Wines Ambullneo Vineyards Pinot Noir Bulldog – 93 Points RP
Ambullneo Vineyards’ 2007 Pinot Noir Bulldog (named after his affection for both the English and American Bulldog breeds) is a serious winner meant for connoisseurs. Made from at least seven different Pinot Noir clones, and including 75% whole stems in the vinification, it boasts a dense ruby/purple color as well as a tight but promising nose of white chocolate, black cherries, raspberries, and forest floor. Full-bodied with bracing acidity, moderate alcohol (13.4%), and an exceptionally long finish, this cuvee will benefit from another 1-2 years in the bottle, and should last for a decade thereafter.

2006 Ambullneo Vineyards Syrah Howling – 92 Points RP
There is nothing oafish about the 2006 Howling Syrah, a wine that screams blackberry and exotic flowers, with a full-bodied, fleshy, multi-layered personality. Fat and densely purple, it displays a big, sweet kiss of blackberry and cassis with that hint of 2% Viognier present in the background. The luscious texture and seductive style make for a Syrah to drink over the next 7-8 years.

2007 Greg Linn Wines Zito Chardonnay – 90 Points RP
The 2007 Zito Chardonnay reveals plenty of fresh, poached pear, crisp lemon zest, and nectarine characteristics in a medium to full-bodied, fresh, lively style with no evidence of wood. It should drink well for 2-4 years.

2007 Greg Linn Wines Zito Pinot Noir – 89+ Points RP
The least expensive Pinot Noir is the 2007 Zito Pinot Noir. Its dark ruby/plum color is followed by a sweet kiss of cranberries, pomegranates, and ripe currants presented in a seductive, lush (by Greg Linn’s standards) style with decent acidity and a plush, richly fruity mouthfeel. It should drink nicely for 4-6 years.

S

As we got to talking I found out he was born on the east coast, a Philly Boy, and we hit it off from the start. I was 32 years old buying Bordeaux and California Cabernet – not bad, hey? Yes, making some good decisions allowed me the luxury and so I was trying to corner the market on these highly allocated items. Sounds funny since I drink about two bottles of cabernet a year now. But back then I was loose and fancy free. So this gentleman named William reached under the counter and I walked out with what I thought was akin to finding a buried treasure, three bottles each. William and his wife Sheila became great friends of Jana and I so much so that he is the Godfather of one of my children. Life is funny but it was Bill who invited me to a wine dinner at an old restaurant called Rembrandt’s. I met another great friend that year, Bernie Gordon, but that’s for another blog. So, at this dinner while drinking some Cabernet, Bill asked me if I had ever tasted a D.R.C.? I said ,”Nope. But those are nice letters. What does it mean?” Bill went on to explain Domain de la Romanee Conti from Burgundy!

This was a changing moment in my life because I no longer cared about the 1985 Cabernets I had bought and the 1985 and 1986 Bordeaux futures. I wanted to know more about Pinot Noir and Burgundy. Soon after I started to sell what I had bought and replaced it with Burgundy thinking they all must be great. How wrong I was. No one made more mistakes than me when it came to Burgundy. In fact I have poured more swill down the drain then I would like to remember! In those early days there were times I hauled off and punched Bill in the arm for costing me so much. But in the end I have to thank him because that first Burgundy will always be with me and has driven me to making great wine. A life changing experience so to speak! Bill has moved from California to Arizona where he fought off cancer and started raising their daughter McKenna. They moved to Florida and he lived part time in Virginia where he went through school and earned a Master’s Degree. He works for the government now and has moved, where else, 4.2 miles from my home, right where he belongs. Now we get together often and reminisce a little. We are waiting for McKenna to get her license in the next couple months so we have a designated driver full time. Life goes on and he is my best friend! William and I have been on some crazy adventures, asked to leave McMinville on one road trip. Yes, there are many stories and empty bottles behind us and I hope a long road to hoe! There are still a few Cubans and a bunch of establishments we still need to finish and visit and no doubt will be asked to leave.

I was once told by my father that when you die you are lucky to count on one hand the total of your friends. It is a fact that the word is over used! A true friend is there when you’re up and when you’re down, that you can call at any time of night or day and they will answer!

He’s there for your family when you’re sick. And when you pass on he’ll be there for them long after you’re gone. That’s my friend Bill. And to him I thank for enlightening me in the ways of Red and White Burgundy and the magic of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, for the honesty and integrity he has always carried himself with and for his devotion to his family and friends and always being there. I only hope you have a friend like Bill in your life and if you do, don’t let him drift away! Besides you never know when you’re going to need to punch someone. Come to think of it, Bill is about due!

To friendship, a magic all it’s own, and wine leading me to that friendship,

Greg!