For last event on the last day of the Wine Bloggers Conference, I had the pleasure of going to Michel Schlumberger in Dry Creek. If you've never been to Dry Creek Valley and visited any of the wineries there, it's definitely worth going the next time you're in California wine country. The scenery is amazing and the wineries - home to Dry Creek Vineyards, Michel Schlumberger, Nalle, Quivira, Ridge, and many more - are making some of the best wines in California.
For today, I'll be talking about Michel Schlumberger (Twitter @M_Schlumberger).
I'll be honest, I had not heard about Michel Schlumberger before I went there for a vineyard walk, but it is now on my list of favorite places in California wine country. Seems I wasn't alone, as even Judd Wallenbrock, the President / GM felt the same way..."Judd Wallenbrock, a 29+ year veteran of the wine industry, arrived at Michel-Schlumberger dumbfounded by the sheer beauty of the Estate & stunned by the wine quality. “Why have I never heard of this place?” he asked, and set about his mission of establishing Michel-Schlumberger as the industry’s premier destination for those seeking a truly unique wine experience."
First off, Dry Creek Valley, for those of you who haven't been is absolutely stunning. Tucked away northwest of Healdsburg, the scenery is beyond words, particularly in the summer when the grape vines are lush with leaves and young grapes.
But, once you get to Michel Schlumberger, it takes Dry Creek Valley to another level. A beautiful California mission-style main building creates the landmark, as the lush vineyards move quickly up the hillside behind. The tasting room is spread throughout, both inside and outside, creating a very warm, in-touch-with-nature setting, one in which it's just as easy to take in the aroma of the wines as it is to feel the breeze coming in through the open doors.
Sadly, I had a bit of a different experience at Michel Schlumberger than my peers as I had to leave early and was unable to join them on the vineyard walk. My plan was to sort through some of my notes from the weekend and start writing my blog posts. But, our gracious host at Michel Schlumberger (Judd Wallenbrock) would have nothing of it. He was fine with me squatting on the property, but insisted that I have some wine while I wait. And, never one to be a bad guest, I, of course, politely obliged.
Michel Schlumberger is known for small lot Bordeaux varietals and, in my opinion, they are making some of the most unique wines in northern California.
Michel Schlumberger 2008 Pinot Blanc
What is it with me and white wines lately? Seems my favorite wine of the weekend was a white, - the Matthiasson Napa Valley White Wine - and here we are again, with another great white from Michel Schlumberger.
Before I tell you any more, I need to be fair and let you know that when I looked up Michel Schlumberger wines on Wine Spectator there wasn't one of their wines rating more than 87, dating all the way back to a 1994 Cabernet Sauvignon. And, the 2006 version of the Pinot Blanc only attained an 80 rating. So, it is with all due respect to the Wine Spectator and its tasting team that I say that's just plain hooey (this, of course, being a widely recognized and highly technical wine tasting term - don't feel bad if you haven't heard of it before). Clearly my palate is very different on this one, because this is the second best white I tasted all weekend.
It's clearly a French-style wine, not a sweet or oakey California white - one of the cleanest, most refreshing and simple white wines that has had the pleasure of meeting my palate...as the person pouring said "drinks like water, doesn't it?" That's partially true, but only in regards to the ease with which it goes down. But, there is some complexity here, as nuanced as it is. Good subtle fruit and touch of mineral and metal, almost a zinc-like quality, that does add some interesting qualities to the wine.
What you should do: BUY IT. No question in my mind that this wine has to be tried. It may not be to everyone's liking, especially those that prefer stronger, more buttery and oakey whites, but it's simple enough, with just enough complexity to keep it interesting. And, at $21 a bottle (at the winery), that's a price that's worth experimenting with.
My rating: 89 (will be interesting to see if WS rates the 2008 or not, but, hey, I just found another great white wine, so what do I care?)
Michel Schlumberger 2006 Le Fou Pinot Noir
Le Fou, translated into English, means "the insane one," which, of course, peaked my interest almost immediately. If someone has the guts to call their wine "the insane one," I'm more than willing to go along for the ride.
Don't think it necessarily lives up to the name, unless there is a back story that I don't know about, but, regardless, this is a great Pinot Noir. Very well balanced, both on the nose and in the mouth, with floral undertones and a sweet nectar taste. The acidity is spot on and, like the Pinot Blanc, this Pinot Noir brings with it a mineral, metallic feel, much like zinc, that I have yet to see in other wines in Napa. For me, this is what made the wines I tasted feel truly unique.
This is not an in-your-face, spicy, robust Pinot Noir. It is much more subtle than that, but is still rich and packed with good fruit, mineral and floral notes.
What you should do: BUY IT. I mean it. I'm going to pick up a few bottles to have on hand and they will sit proudly next to the Sea Smokes, Kosta Brownes and Paul Hobbs in my cellar (not the same type of Pinot, to be sure, but can definitely stand on its own as similar quality).
My rating: 90 (not rated by WS)
Have you tried Michel Schlumberger? Would love to hear what you think.
For today, I'll be talking about Michel Schlumberger (Twitter @M_Schlumberger).
I'll be honest, I had not heard about Michel Schlumberger before I went there for a vineyard walk, but it is now on my list of favorite places in California wine country. Seems I wasn't alone, as even Judd Wallenbrock, the President / GM felt the same way..."Judd Wallenbrock, a 29+ year veteran of the wine industry, arrived at Michel-Schlumberger dumbfounded by the sheer beauty of the Estate & stunned by the wine quality. “Why have I never heard of this place?” he asked, and set about his mission of establishing Michel-Schlumberger as the industry’s premier destination for those seeking a truly unique wine experience."First off, Dry Creek Valley, for those of you who haven't been is absolutely stunning. Tucked away northwest of Healdsburg, the scenery is beyond words, particularly in the summer when the grape vines are lush with leaves and young grapes.
But, once you get to Michel Schlumberger, it takes Dry Creek Valley to another level. A beautiful California mission-style main building creates the landmark, as the lush vineyards move quickly up the hillside behind. The tasting room is spread throughout, both inside and outside, creating a very warm, in-touch-with-nature setting, one in which it's just as easy to take in the aroma of the wines as it is to feel the breeze coming in through the open doors.
Sadly, I had a bit of a different experience at Michel Schlumberger than my peers as I had to leave early and was unable to join them on the vineyard walk. My plan was to sort through some of my notes from the weekend and start writing my blog posts. But, our gracious host at Michel Schlumberger (Judd Wallenbrock) would have nothing of it. He was fine with me squatting on the property, but insisted that I have some wine while I wait. And, never one to be a bad guest, I, of course, politely obliged.
Michel Schlumberger is known for small lot Bordeaux varietals and, in my opinion, they are making some of the most unique wines in northern California.
Michel Schlumberger 2008 Pinot Blanc
What is it with me and white wines lately? Seems my favorite wine of the weekend was a white, - the Matthiasson Napa Valley White Wine - and here we are again, with another great white from Michel Schlumberger.
Before I tell you any more, I need to be fair and let you know that when I looked up Michel Schlumberger wines on Wine Spectator there wasn't one of their wines rating more than 87, dating all the way back to a 1994 Cabernet Sauvignon. And, the 2006 version of the Pinot Blanc only attained an 80 rating. So, it is with all due respect to the Wine Spectator and its tasting team that I say that's just plain hooey (this, of course, being a widely recognized and highly technical wine tasting term - don't feel bad if you haven't heard of it before). Clearly my palate is very different on this one, because this is the second best white I tasted all weekend.
It's clearly a French-style wine, not a sweet or oakey California white - one of the cleanest, most refreshing and simple white wines that has had the pleasure of meeting my palate...as the person pouring said "drinks like water, doesn't it?" That's partially true, but only in regards to the ease with which it goes down. But, there is some complexity here, as nuanced as it is. Good subtle fruit and touch of mineral and metal, almost a zinc-like quality, that does add some interesting qualities to the wine.
What you should do: BUY IT. No question in my mind that this wine has to be tried. It may not be to everyone's liking, especially those that prefer stronger, more buttery and oakey whites, but it's simple enough, with just enough complexity to keep it interesting. And, at $21 a bottle (at the winery), that's a price that's worth experimenting with.
My rating: 89 (will be interesting to see if WS rates the 2008 or not, but, hey, I just found another great white wine, so what do I care?)
Michel Schlumberger 2006 Le Fou Pinot Noir
Le Fou, translated into English, means "the insane one," which, of course, peaked my interest almost immediately. If someone has the guts to call their wine "the insane one," I'm more than willing to go along for the ride.
Don't think it necessarily lives up to the name, unless there is a back story that I don't know about, but, regardless, this is a great Pinot Noir. Very well balanced, both on the nose and in the mouth, with floral undertones and a sweet nectar taste. The acidity is spot on and, like the Pinot Blanc, this Pinot Noir brings with it a mineral, metallic feel, much like zinc, that I have yet to see in other wines in Napa. For me, this is what made the wines I tasted feel truly unique.
This is not an in-your-face, spicy, robust Pinot Noir. It is much more subtle than that, but is still rich and packed with good fruit, mineral and floral notes.
What you should do: BUY IT. I mean it. I'm going to pick up a few bottles to have on hand and they will sit proudly next to the Sea Smokes, Kosta Brownes and Paul Hobbs in my cellar (not the same type of Pinot, to be sure, but can definitely stand on its own as similar quality).
My rating: 90 (not rated by WS)
Have you tried Michel Schlumberger? Would love to hear what you think.
Gadget
just a thought, but if I understand WS practices correctly, it is not that they did not rate the wine, but that it has not yet been tasted. And the reason it hasn't been tasted is likely that samples have not been sent.
that's probably a better way of saying it. interesting to see such low scores on spectator. if you have a subscription, check it out.
I love Michel Schlumberger. I've been a club member for going on three years and try to make a point to visit on every trip. Not only is the wine fab, but the people are just great. The Pinot Blanc always tops my list of top white wines. I just reviewed the 08 the other day, which also links to my reviews of the 06 and 07. http://wannabewino.com/2009/07/16/a-repeat-winner/ The WS taster is clearly smoking something to have given the 06 an 80. Wow.
it's amazing to me the scores that ws gave these guys. i thought their wines were some of the best of the weekend. and will definitely buy some and go visit again when i'm in dry creek. great winery, amazing wines and really gracious folks - cannot beat that.