The 2009 Joanin Becot has been uncorked and other ramblings.

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Wed Mar 18, 2015 9:53 pm

I liked this wine when it was first released, then a later bottle was a tad awkward.
I'll decant this puppy and let it sit a bit and see how it shows tonight.
The bouquet greets my nose joyously as I pour into the decanter....

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Wed Mar 18, 2015 9:55 pm

He Who Shall Remain Nameless liked this wine, I think he gave it a 91 or thereabouts.

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Wed Mar 18, 2015 9:56 pm

Can't beat the price, I'll tell you, it can be bought in the mid-$20s range.

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Wed Mar 18, 2015 10:01 pm

I don't know what the weather has been like where each of you are located but I'll tell you, it continues to be colder than a witch's tit up here in Maine.
God damn has this been a ball knocker of a winter.

Really looking forward to France '15.
I haven't had a vacation in over 5 years. Nothing more than 3 or 4 days away at a time.
Timmy, Alex, Ian, and Bill have been doing a tremendous job in organizing.
If Timmy says there are three spaces left I highly recommend that you look into going, they've put together a pretty epic program.
I can't disclose it yet but Timmy will announce it in due course, they're tying up a few loose ends.

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Wed Mar 18, 2015 10:04 pm

April will be "Post Your Tasting Notes Month," I want everyone to post a tasting note, however short, or however pedestrian the wine, of every wine that you drink in the month of April.

May will feature the historic visit of Bordeaux Wine Enthusiasts to Bordeaux.

So it is written. So it shall be done.

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Wed Mar 18, 2015 10:08 pm

We had another historic event this past week, my first ever conversation, by telephone, with Jeff Leve.
Nice guy, don't be fooled by the acerbic on-line persona.
He's off in Bordeaux right now for three weeks, visiting like 65 estates or some such thing.
Life is rough.

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Wed Mar 18, 2015 10:16 pm

So that's it, huh?
He Who Shall Remain Nameless is all done?
Or is He just all done doing his comprehensive Bordeaux notes?
Jeff Leve told me He's gonna be doing something on the 2005 vintage.
I didn't really notice any big goodbye or anything in the Advocate, but then again, I haven't been doing much more than skimming it in recent years...

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Wed Mar 18, 2015 10:24 pm

It is 75% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc, and it is "made with love."

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Wed Mar 18, 2015 10:26 pm

The label has the name "Juliette Becot" on the label:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5fqwRuhnrDk

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Wed Mar 18, 2015 10:43 pm

As for the Joanin Becot, it seems hot -- volatile(?) -- at the outset.

pomilion · Post by **pomilion** » Wed Mar 18, 2015 10:52 pm

JimHow wrote:So that's it, huh?
He Who Shall Remain Nameless is all done?
Or is He just all done doing his comprehensive Bordeaux notes?
Jeff Leve told me He's gonna be doing something on the 2005 vintage.
I didn't really notice any big goodbye or anything in the Advocate, but then again, I haven't been doing much more than skimming it in recent years...

Neil Martin is taking over general bordeaux coverage, including en primeur, starting immediately.

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Wed Mar 18, 2015 11:15 pm

What if anything do you think that will mean for Bordeaux Pom?

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Wed Mar 18, 2015 11:21 pm

I watched the original "Alien" last night with the young Sigourney Weaver.
What a cast, didn't know that Harry Dean Stanton was in it, about 5 years before starring in my favorite movie of all time.

Having watched the movie for the first time since probably release, you know something I give it... FIVE STARS.
Great story, great acting, film making. A ground breaking film that stands the test of time.

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Wed Mar 18, 2015 11:24 pm

I also enjoyed "Gone Girl" the other night, I thought it was a lot of fun from beginning to end.

What is your favorite movie of all time?
What movies have you seen recently that you've enjoyed?

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Wed Mar 18, 2015 11:29 pm

The wine is smoothing out somewhat but it is still very 2009, high in alcohol, sharp, somewhat tempestuous.

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Wed Mar 18, 2015 11:31 pm

Question:

Will wines like this do a) better or b) now that Neil Martin is taking over?

I think I need to set up a poll....

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Thu Mar 19, 2015 12:59 am

This a decent but unexciting wine.
Nothing profound here.
Nothing we couldn't find in California.
An 88 point wine.
Parkerized.
Sour cherries, original Skittles.
Unexciting, I won't buy any more.
Neal! Neal Martin!
Save us from these types of Bordeauxs!

Nicklasss · Post by **Nicklasss** » Thu Mar 19, 2015 1:25 am

I don't watch a lot of movie sur, but my favorite movie is Young Guns.

So that Joanin Becot, from 2009, and that "highlight" AOC from Côtes de Castillon, only got a 88 from Jim? So Jim, you're impacted by M. parker retirement?

Nic

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Thu Mar 19, 2015 1:27 am

You know, Jean-Nicolas, I'm suddenly feeling free!

Free of He Who Shall Remain Nameless....

It is a new day in Bordeaux!

Free at last!

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Thu Mar 19, 2015 2:12 am

I love this video of Alfred Tesseron.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Szg8NwycduQ

We spent a memorable evening in NYC with him, how long ago was it now, I can't even remember, about 6 years ago maybe?

I hope we get to see him again when we are in France!

robert goulet · Post by **robert goulet** » Fri Mar 20, 2015 9:00 am

Favorite movie all time

(1995)Dead Man starring Johnny Depp directed by Jim Jarmusch

Blanquito · Post by **Blanquito** » Sat Mar 21, 2015 11:27 pm

robert goulet wrote:Favorite movie all time

(1995)Dead Man starring Johnny Depp directed by Jim Jarmusch

Agreed, a fantastic movie. Gary Farmer is incredible in this...

Jim, is Repo Man your favorite movie?!

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Sat Mar 21, 2015 11:48 pm

Paris Texas!

Claret · Post by **Claret** » Sun Mar 22, 2015 12:21 am

Repo Man, fun movie with a great soundtrack.

stefan · Post by **stefan** » Sun Mar 22, 2015 3:34 am

Paris, Texas is also one of my favorites, Jim. Kit Carson*, who died last year, was a groomsman in my elder brother's wedding and I was a friend of one of his younger brothers.

But my favorite movie is the Wizard of Oz. I now watch it with my older granddaughter and look forward to when my younger grandkids are old enough to view it.

Another one I would mention is A Boy and His Dog. Harlan Ellison, who wrote the story, demanded that his name be removed from the credits, but I thought the movie captured some of Ellison's sick humor. Others remember the movie for its young star, whose name I forget.

Lucie and I finally saw The Theory of Everything tonight. Not quite as boring as Birdman, but it could and should have been so much better. Were movies this past year really so bad that these were two of the best?

*Sam Shepard wrote Paris, Texas, but Carson adapted the screenplay. His son, Hunter, played Nastassa Kinski's son in the movie.

Blanquito · Post by **Blanquito** » Sun Mar 22, 2015 3:02 pm

JimHow wrote:Paris Texas!

Ah, same year as Repo Man. 1984 was clearly a strong vintage for Harry Dean Stanton.

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Sun Mar 22, 2015 3:06 pm

Yes Paris, Texas won Palme d'Or at Cannes that year.

Claret · Post by **Claret** » Sun Mar 22, 2015 4:20 pm

I seldom watch new movies but enjoyed Whiplash. Blood on the drumkit.

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Sun Mar 22, 2015 4:23 pm

Gone Girl was a fun watch the other night.
Nothing great but entertaining nonetheless.

AKR · Post by **AKR** » Thu Apr 02, 2015 4:12 pm

Max has mags of the 05 available for $45

DavidG · Post by **DavidG** » Thu Apr 02, 2015 4:45 pm

Who is Max? Max Marinucci at Wine Connection?

Blanquito · Post by **Blanquito** » Thu Apr 02, 2015 4:59 pm

JimHow wrote:So that's it, huh?
He Who Shall Remain Nameless is all done?
Or is He just all done doing his comprehensive Bordeaux notes?
Jeff Leve told me He's gonna be doing something on the 2005 vintage.
I didn't really notice any big goodbye or anything in the Advocate, but then again, I haven't been doing much more than skimming it in recent years...

Hard to believe it is the 10-year anniversary of the 2005 vintage, but still the vast majority 2005s are not worth tasting/drinking right now. Even inexpensive, Right Bank, petit chateau are hard work. I tried a Fonbel 2005 from half bottle and it was all mute tannins.

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Thu Apr 02, 2015 5:11 pm

Sounds like I should hold off on my 2005 cases of Duhart Milon, Carbonnieux, La Tour Carnet, d'Issan, Brane Cantenac, and Grand Mayne.

Blanquito · Post by **Blanquito** » Thu Apr 02, 2015 5:19 pm

If I had to drink one of those, I might try a Tour Carnet. Also, the last time I tried the Carbonnieux rouge it was drinkable with nice aromatics (if quite primary).

AKR · Post by **AKR** » Thu Apr 02, 2015 7:29 pm

Blanquito wrote:
JimHow wrote:So that's it, huh?
He Who Shall Remain Nameless is all done?
Or is He just all done doing his comprehensive Bordeaux notes?
Jeff Leve told me He's gonna be doing something on the 2005 vintage.
I didn't really notice any big goodbye or anything in the Advocate, but then again, I haven't been doing much more than skimming it in recent years...
Hard to believe it is the 10-year anniversary of the 2005 vintage, but still the vast majority 2005s are not worth tasting/drinking right now. Even inexpensive, Right Bank, petit chateau are hard work. I tried a Fonbel 2005 from half bottle and it was all mute tannins.

DavidG - yes that Max

Blanquito - I had an 05 Charmail a while ago (never wrote up notes but will when I open another bottle soon) which was fabulous. Not in any hurry to drink my very few 05's but that was a smaller name that stuck out for me.

Blanquito · Post by **Blanquito** » Thu Apr 02, 2015 8:26 pm

AKR wrote:
Blanquito wrote:
JimHow wrote:So that's it, huh?
He Who Shall Remain Nameless is all done?
Or is He just all done doing his comprehensive Bordeaux notes?
Jeff Leve told me He's gonna be doing something on the 2005 vintage.
I didn't really notice any big goodbye or anything in the Advocate, but then again, I haven't been doing much more than skimming it in recent years...
Hard to believe it is the 10-year anniversary of the 2005 vintage, but still the vast majority 2005s are not worth tasting/drinking right now. Even inexpensive, Right Bank, petit chateau are hard work. I tried a Fonbel 2005 from half bottle and it was all mute tannins.
DavidG - yes that Max

Blanquito - I had an 05 Charmail a while ago (never wrote up notes but will when I open another bottle soon) which was fabulous. Not in any hurry to drink my very few 05's but that was a smaller name that stuck out for me.

A quick check says I have 10 bottles of the 2005 Charmail, for which I paid $18/each. As part of April-is-tasting-notes-month, I will open one of these tonight and report back. Thanks for the heads up, Arv.

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Thu Apr 02, 2015 9:43 pm

If I had to drink one of those, I might try a Tour Carnet. Also, the last time I tried the Carbonnieux rouge it was drinkable with nice aromatics (if quite primary).

I've been wondering whether those two wines were in the "drinking well but not going to get better" stage of their evolutions.

robert goulet · Post by **robert goulet** » Thu Apr 02, 2015 11:04 pm

Blanquito wrote:
robert goulet wrote:Favorite movie all time

(1995)Dead Man starring Johnny Depp directed by Jim Jarmusch
Agreed, a fantastic movie. Gary Farmer is incredible in this...

Jim, is Repo Man your favorite movie?!

So true "stupid fucking white man"...Gary farmer stole the show!!!...other movies i luv are elephant man, let the right one in (swedish) The bird people in china(China based/Japanese director) broken wings (isreal) lovers of the article circle (spanish)
The road home (china)

dstgolf · Post by **dstgolf** » Fri Apr 03, 2015 2:41 pm

Blanquito,

I can't really agree with you on the 05s. Had a Dauzac last month the was a beautiful rendition of Margaux with nose that I love and softening tannins. Still primary yes but lovely nevertheless. l'Arrose,Corbin,Belle-Vue, Canon la Gaffalierre, Kirwan, Lagrange, Joanin Becot and St Pierre had back in Jan/February and all were very nice and yes at there early stages but will only get better however I would not hesitate to start sampling the 05s and judge for yourself. The only one that I've had recently was Deronencourts own Domaine de L'A. This was not drinking well and thought that it was a bad bottle so opened a second and again BLEH! Maybe in a bad place but still have 4 more to sample down the road. Have to have at least one disappointment from time to time.

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Fri Apr 03, 2015 2:43 pm

Chateau Dauzac I'm pretty sure was the Decanter 2005 wine of the year.
I remember really liking that 2005 Domaine d'La when it first hit the shelves, haven't had it since then.