Friday, December 5, 2014

The Tasting Room with Tom Leykis: Cult wines and special guest Scott Kannberg

Holiday Episode of the Tasting Room with Tom Leykis.  

Jeff Zimmitti of Rosso Wine Shop and Scott Kannberg of the band Spiral Stairs and Pavement join Tom Leykis on the Tasting Room to drink and discuss cult wines; road stories, touring with a rock band and discovering wine.

We broke out the big guns for the holidaze with Tom! I brought a few "mailing list" wines that I have, an older Kosta Browne Pinot Noir and a recent release Saxum. And Scott brought a Schrader and Vine Hill Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon. All these wines are scarce, top scoring and highly sought after.

Let's try 'em. Why not?

Listen here: tastingroomwithtom
via an online stream, iTunes or TuneIn


Kosta Browne, Saxum, Schrader, Vine Hill Ranch
Some reviews and notes:

2005 Kosta Browne Pinot Noir Kanzler Vineyard
(96 Points: Wine Spectator) "There are restrained aromas here, yet the flavors build gracefully. Juicy, with vivid, layered wild berry, raspberry, cherry and floral scents. Deep, complex and ending with a laser-beam focus. 255 cases made."

**In 2011 the Kosta Browne Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast 2009 was named Wine Spectator wine of the year.

2011 Saxum Red Blend Paderewski Vineyard
(96 Points: Wine Advocate) "Much more sexy and voluptuous, the 2011 Paderewski Vineyard (34% Zinfandel, 31% Mourvedre, 16% Tempranillo, 10% Syrah and 9% Petite Sirah) delivers loads of black and blue fruits, spice, incense, chocolate and pan dripping-like savoriness to go with a full-bodied, decadently styled mouthfeel. Small production."

**In 2010 the Saxum James Berry Paso Robles 2007 was named named Wine Spectator wine of the year.

2009 Schrader Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard
(95 Points: Wine Spectator) "Intense and multifaceted, exhibiting dense, detailed currant, spice, chocolate brownie, crème de cassis and mocha flavors. Focused and persistent, building depth and gaining length. 375 cases made."

**Thomas Rivers Brown-winemaker. Oakville fruit. Major scores including multiple 100 points.

2011 Vine Hill Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley
(94 Points: Wine Advocate) "The 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon is just as impressive as it was when I tasted it six months ago. Tar, smoke, melted road tar and black fruit all come to life in this powerful, brooding wine. For the first time, the Vine Hill Ranch Cabernet includes a dollop of Petit Verdot, which gives the wine a little more backbone and gravitas. Super-impressive."

**Antonio Galloni/Vinous: I can’t say enough about the work the Phillips family has done with the first four vintages of VHR, Vine Hill Ranch.