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The Bernard Roth Archives

The Los Olivos Wine & Spirits Emporium presents notes of Bernard Roth who always has something to say, particularly about wine and food.

We happy that Bernard, who has sampled so many wines, has shared his notes with us. We do have, or have had for sale a few of the wines Bernard writes about, and we include a link to our stock page whenever it is a producer we carry (but since the stock page is kept up-to-date and the wines are sold, don't expect any but the newest of wines to show up in our stock!). Mostly though, since we specialize in County of Santa Barbara Wine and Central Coast Wine, we don't carry a lot of the wines Bernard writes about. But we think it is important that you be able to have an idea what they're like in case you are planning to buy some somewhere, or have them in your own collection. Enjoy.

Here are Bernard's notes from June 15, 1998:

Dinner at Seth's

Had a few nice wines at dinner last night. I didn't take TNs, but here are my impressions. Dinner was potluck at my friend Seth's, whose parents were visiting and are themselves avid wine collectors.
 
95 Turley Black Sears Zin (remainder from bottle opened previous night, kept under nitrogen)--More opulent, sweeter than my previous experiences with this wine. Rounder and less linearly structured. Still a delightful wine. Superb!

90 J.M. Boillot Volnay 1er Cru (Pittures, I think)--Very tasty, aromatic, open. Forward fruit, softening tannins, close to reaching it peak. Excellent.

92 Foxen Tinaquaic Reserve (50/50 blend CS/Cab Franc)--Very Bordeaux-like nose. Peak of drinkability now. Tannins are just enough to hold wine together.  Beautiful fruit, fine finish. From Santa Barbara's best Cab producer.  Exceptional.

94 Dom. Clavel Copa Santa--Closed up nose. Decent syrah fruit, slightly rustic profile. Bit lacking in complexity, but very good food wine. Tannins are in check and acidity is just enough to support the meal. Good.

96 Coriole Old Vines Grenache Lalla Rookh (Opened 2 days earlier, stored in a half-bottle)--See my original notes on Rhone Board. By now, the wine has softened, but the fruit is still very lush, very concentrated. A Wow wine. Outstanding.

95 Ojai Benjamin Lorenzo Pinot Noir--See my post on the PN board. This wine is undergoing secondary fermentation in the bottle. Defective.

90 de Fargues Sauternes (also kept under nitrogen from previous night)-- Proper Sauternes, if a bit lacking in complexity. Not particularly forward with Botrytis, but fine acidity, medium weight sugar, not syrupy. Really could use a couple decades to allow the caramel and secondary flavors to emerge and enhance its complexity. Fine now, much better down the road.

93 Arrowfield Late Harvest Riesling (Aussie)--More botrytisy than above.  More syrupy. Flavors are more of the peach and apricot; the de Fargues is more citrus peel, spices, nuts and mandarin. Less complex in mid-palate but ample acidity to hold its finish. Very good to excellent.   

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