Les Tastevins du Lac is dedicated to camaraderie in pursuit of joie de vino! This blog serves as an informal forum on wine, food and travel.... Cheers! Steve Adams





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Sunday, September 18, 2016

2004 E. Pira (Chiara Boschis) Cannubi, 2006 Mastroberardino Radici Taurasi Riserva, 2009 G. Manzone Castelletto

Somewhat surprising outcomes with these three wines. 

2004 E. Pira (Chiara Boschis) was delightful upon opening, with an attractive nose, and superbly defined fruit. (4 hours of slow-o). Some presence of oak, but the quality of fruit from the vineyard and the elegant structure of the 2004 vintage is what impressed. However, as the evening progressed with exposure to air, the oak seemed to become more dominant especially in comparison to the other wines.  As a result, the E. Pira Cannubi unexpectedly took 3rd place in the voting for favorites. 

This was my first encounter with the Castelletto cuvee from Manzone, and this '09 bottling showed extremely well from the start. Well balanced, with noble, rich, fruit character, with high-toned bouquet.  Very, very approachable (8 hours of slow-o). Classic style with no overt oak. 

The '06 Mastroberardino Radici Taurasi Riserva was the stunner (6 hours of slow-o). Have had this before, but on this evening all of the right characteristics came together. Very Burgundian in nature. Lithe, elegant fruit coupled with an alluring nose of florals and spice. Finish was the most pleasingly complex, easily making it the favorite wine of the evening. 

Paired with a variety of home-made pizza. The favorite pizza being pesto base, with goat cheese and caramelized onions. .. wow, this was delicious. 

Saturday, September 3, 2016

2009 Lucien Boillot Volnay Les Caillerets

The nose on this wine is very seductive.  It's not tremendously floral, it's just plain sensuous ... hitting all the right olfactory notes for a Burgundy aficionado. 
Palate of refined cherry with mushroom and spice ..... delicious quality of fruit. This appears to be an old vines-sourced cuvee based on notes for previous vintages from @davidschildknecht ... low production as well ... possibly in the 50 case range (?)
Best enjoyed with food.... offsets the youthfulness of the tannins (which are not too hard, but are slightly unyielding on the finish. ... this one is probably at least 5 years away from prime drinking window. ..).  Sort of like drinking a Calera pinot noir too young.