Stolpman Wine Tasting

Sunday, September 19, 2010

Wine House in Los Angeles hosted a Stolpman wine tasting today. A friend drove and we parked on the upper level where the restaurant was. Of course no elevator so I had to hike down the flight of stairs to get to the wine shop. We had over an hour to kill so down we went. That of course meant I had to go back up the flight of stairs which was a slow process. I still have a lot of pain.

Three flights of wine were scheduled. Tom & Peter Stolpman along with Caufield from the Wine House poured a 2009 Rose of Sangiovese. Like the other vintages this was a very nice slightly dry rose. A nice start to an afternoon. To bad the chairs weren't comfortable.

The first flight was a library flight. Tom remarked to me that I was probably the only one in the room besides him that had tasted all these wines. I have bought Stolpman wines since 1998 when Tom & Marilyn just started bottling.

1998 Cabernet Franc Reserve $62 at its peak right now
1998 Sangiovese Reserve $58
1999 Syrah $54
2000 Rhone Ridge Cuvee $48
2001 Syrah $52

Next flight was called Exclusive Flight. 3 I had not heard of before nor tasted until today.

2008 Single Barrel L'Avion $58 24 cases made - a white rhone grape blend
2008 La Croce $66 225 cases made - blend of syrah & sangiovese
2008 Hilltops Syrah $48 400+ cases made
2008 Hilltops High Density Syrah $ 58, 200 cases made
2008 Rubens' Block Syrah $98 22 cases made with half going to the owners and winemakers and only 11 cases available to the public.

Last flight was called Pinnacle.
2001 Angeli (syrah) $94
2002 Angeli $78
2003 LaCroce $72
2003 Angeli $74
2004 Angeli $84
2004 Angeli "36 months Oak Aged" $98

I have all but the "oak aged" which was just released. A great tasting and it was nice to revisit the old wines. Bought a few to lay down.