2016 Produttori del Barbaresco Montestefano Riserva

 This bottle confirms the @"Philippe Richer" rule of thumb that outstanding PdB crus are often best enjoyed 20 years after vintage date. Save a few of these for 2036 and beyond👍🍷

Paired with some garlic-ky fingerling potatoes and kona peaberry cappuccino.  
I have some of this bottle left over for tomorrow's dinner plans. 

2018 Keller von der Fels

 

An underwhelming vintage sums it up.

2006 Mastroberadino Taurasi Radici Riserva

 Sadly, I bought a half case years ago that was quite possibly exposed to non-standard temps of some sort for wine transport. 

For many years, this 2006 Riserva was the essence of a Burgundian style Taurasi Aglianico .... I hope to find some again... 



The evening is not a total loss with Pharoah from 1975 in Paris playing..

Pharoah Sanders – tenor saxophone, vocals

Danny Mixon – piano and organ

Calvin Hill – bass

Greg Bandy – drums

2016 Felsina Fontalloro

 Delicious. Early peak? Easily cellar-able another ten years..the best vintage of Fontalloro I've had (my experience only goes back to 2004 vintage). Incredible fruit supported by still forward but structurally elegant tannins. I enjoy the relaxed stance of Fontalloro compared to the more structured Rancia. But appreciate them equally in terms of understanding Felsina Sangiovese offerings. 

Paired with cheese + Serrano pepper biscuits (buttered,  one of them clesrly drenched) and grapes.

2015 Paul Jaboulet Aîné Crozes-Hermitage Domaine de Thalabert

 Popped and poured. Definitely young. 

First impression, too polished for my taste, even though the use of new oak is modest. 
Opened up only slightly after a few hours. 

My favorite Crozes-Hermitage is Chapoutier Les Varonnières which is sourced from old vines on a hillside as shown in this video:  https://youtu.be/9xL_HOmzD1w?is=uVZnGTlVv2GHC1JH

2016 Castello Colle Massari Poggio Lombrone Montecucco Sangiovese Riserva

 

Very young showing with a blast of fruit and tannin. Needs another 10 years. I vacuum sealed it and stored in the wine fridge for about three weeks, checking on it occasionally.  Finally, it started to mellow and reveal its delicious potential. 

2022 Domaine Huet Vouray Le Mont Moelleux

 

Way too young... significant wine with lots of potential ... bury it..

2023 Deiss Engelgarten and 2023 Deiss Rotenberg

 Based on these two wines, I think the 2023 vintage for Deiss is pretty top notch.

The 2023 Deiss Engelgarten is a field blend of Riesling, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir and Muscat from alluvial gravels mixed with clay and marl in Bergheim. It drinks young now, obviously, but does open up providing a glimpse of a beautifully balanced citrus tropical palate with the fruit positively vibrating. A stunning wine, IMO, that will very much benefit from aging.  Paired with fried pickles, and mango bango fried shrimp..I think a maple Manhattan snuck into the early line up, too. 
I think this may be the best Deiss Engelgarten I've ever had. Just a stunningly crisp audacious palate that smooths out over a couple of hours...really a pleasurable bottle of wine, but then I am partial to Deiss wines.

The 2023 Deiss Rotenberg is a field blend of Pinot Gris and Riesling grown on south facing , red-tinged Jurassic limestone. This is an earthier wine than the bright Engelgarten but as impressive nonetheless. Drank this after dinner at home paired gouda and asiago cheeses and some water crackers.

It was a great learning experience drinking these two heroic wines.... so powerful yet lithe... these wines should be on everyone's buy list....