Bravo! Crack one now if you have some and give it a decant. Vineyards are in the Rayas neighborhood.
Friday, December 28, 2018
2016 Chateau de Vaudieu Chateauneuf-du-Pape
This may be the most delicious vintage of their basic CdP that I've had. Mostly Grenache with some Syrah. Finely delineated red fruit, with suave tannins and food friendly acidity. Sous bois / garrigue accents lurking ....
Bravo! Crack one now if you have some and give it a decant. Vineyards are in the Rayas neighborhood.
Bravo! Crack one now if you have some and give it a decant. Vineyards are in the Rayas neighborhood.
Tuesday, December 25, 2018
2005 Chapoutier St. Joseph Les Granits, 2013 Le Pianelle Bramaterra, 2015 Lavantureux Chablis Fourchaume
2005 Chapoutier Les Granits (from magnum) is at peak, exhibiting burnished tannins with a sweet edge, and framing lush black fruit.. really quite voluptuous for a northern Rhone...but lacks the incisive minerality that I like in syrah from this region...
2013 Le Pianelle is kicking into gear... nicely approachable... l like this wine.
2015 Lavantureux Fourchaume is an enjoyable interpretation of this venerable cru, but lacks the bracing structure that I look for in great Chablis
..
Friday, December 21, 2018
2010 Cedric Bouchard Roses de Jeanne Blanc de Noir Cote de Bechalin
My first experience with Cedric Bouchard wine. While satisfying, I was somewhat underwhelmed. It may have been a less than pristine bottle, or perhaps because it was juxtaposed with a thrilling 2013 Bereche Rilly-La-Montagne.
It lacked the definition that I look for in the palate.... seemed a bit flat. Not much nose to speak of either.
The vintage and disgorgement date on the label are almost impossible to read. Not sure what's up with that.
I have a 2012 Presle that I'll try out over the holidays...
It lacked the definition that I look for in the palate.... seemed a bit flat. Not much nose to speak of either.
The vintage and disgorgement date on the label are almost impossible to read. Not sure what's up with that.
I have a 2012 Presle that I'll try out over the holidays...
Sunday, December 16, 2018
1999 Elio Altare Barolo Brunate
14.5% abv. Decanted and aerated for 4 hours and then poured back into clean bottle. Left to aerate in bottle for another 2 hours.
Trying to recreate some of the magic atmosphere that we experienced in La Morra this past October :)
Easily one of the best wines I've enjoyed this year. Fascinating transformation over the course of the evening, with classic inner perfume manifesting itself slowly and then really blossoming late in the evening. The slightly disturbing bit of heat on the finish subsided, and gave way to a more balanced mouthfeel.... mellow tannins, retaining a beautiful structure for the red cherry palate. More fruit and balsam than tar....with a hint of sweetness on the finish. Truffle-y, sous bois thing going on with the nose.
Elegant, harmonious, memorable. Damn, what a wine! It would be wonderful to taste this again in 10 years... only going to get better....
Paired with pasta covered with Alba truffles followed by grilled bone-in veal chops.
Trying to recreate some of the magic atmosphere that we experienced in La Morra this past October :)
Easily one of the best wines I've enjoyed this year. Fascinating transformation over the course of the evening, with classic inner perfume manifesting itself slowly and then really blossoming late in the evening. The slightly disturbing bit of heat on the finish subsided, and gave way to a more balanced mouthfeel.... mellow tannins, retaining a beautiful structure for the red cherry palate. More fruit and balsam than tar....with a hint of sweetness on the finish. Truffle-y, sous bois thing going on with the nose.
Elegant, harmonious, memorable. Damn, what a wine! It would be wonderful to taste this again in 10 years... only going to get better....
Paired with pasta covered with Alba truffles followed by grilled bone-in veal chops.
Sunday, December 9, 2018
2013 Bérêche et Fils Rilly-La-Montagne 1er Cru
Bérêche has become one of my favorite Producers with their fresh, elegant, minerally style. This Rilly-La-Montagne cuvee is absolutely delicious. I will be seeking out more.
Pop and pour. Enjoyed over the course of an evening. Don't be afraid to decant this to let it open up.
The 30 plus year old vines contribute to a truly savory reflection of pinot noir (100%). Fermented in oak and aged under cork.
Finely chiseled minerally palate. Riveting tension between fruit, acidity and mouthwatering salinity. Biscuit and delicate spicy floral nose.
A beautiful wine that will only get better with age.
Deg. January 2017
Dosage 3 g/l
Saturday, December 8, 2018
An Evening of Alto Adige
Great video on Alto Adige region
https://youtu.be/EpHuG92YKmE
2015 Cantina Terlano Pinot Bianco Vorberg Riserva 14% abv
What can I say about this great wine that hasn't already been said... wow!
Let this open up since it is still a youngster.
Sort of difficult to accurately describe, but the complexity even at this early stage is impressive.
One of the most seductive examples of mouthfeel in any white wine. The front end is minerally and light, with stony white fruit dancing on your palate and just a slight kiss of sweetness.
Then there is this amazingly balanced mid-palate viscosity that comes into play... all the while exuding the deftness of Fred Astaire gliding across the ballroom floor, with a finish that makes you dive in for another sip.
To me, this wine has some traits in common with a great Chenin Blanc.
Vorberg is sourced from very steep, high altitude vineyards above the town of Terlano. Bravo Rudi Kofler and team !
2010 Nusserhof (Heinrich Mayr) Südtirol Lagrein Riserva13%abv
Sourced from a southward facing vineyard , which is situated on the banks of the Isarco River within the township of Bolzano. This land has been farmed by Heinrich Mayr's family for nearly a century.
Decanted and aerated for several hours...
Bright piquant blackberry with hints of mocha and coffee with supporting acidity. Reticent nose.
Tannins have smoothed out quite a bit over the past couple of years, and the wine has taken on a more elegant character.
Not a lot of complexity, but the bright berry flavor , especially toward the end of the evening, was really delicious.
https://youtu.be/EpHuG92YKmE
2015 Cantina Terlano Pinot Bianco Vorberg Riserva 14% abv
What can I say about this great wine that hasn't already been said... wow!
Let this open up since it is still a youngster.
Sort of difficult to accurately describe, but the complexity even at this early stage is impressive.
One of the most seductive examples of mouthfeel in any white wine. The front end is minerally and light, with stony white fruit dancing on your palate and just a slight kiss of sweetness.
Then there is this amazingly balanced mid-palate viscosity that comes into play... all the while exuding the deftness of Fred Astaire gliding across the ballroom floor, with a finish that makes you dive in for another sip.
To me, this wine has some traits in common with a great Chenin Blanc.
Vorberg is sourced from very steep, high altitude vineyards above the town of Terlano. Bravo Rudi Kofler and team !
2010 Nusserhof (Heinrich Mayr) Südtirol Lagrein Riserva13%abv
Sourced from a southward facing vineyard , which is situated on the banks of the Isarco River within the township of Bolzano. This land has been farmed by Heinrich Mayr's family for nearly a century.
Decanted and aerated for several hours...
Bright piquant blackberry with hints of mocha and coffee with supporting acidity. Reticent nose.
Tannins have smoothed out quite a bit over the past couple of years, and the wine has taken on a more elegant character.
Not a lot of complexity, but the bright berry flavor , especially toward the end of the evening, was really delicious.
Sunday, December 2, 2018
2005 Domenico Clerico Barolo Pajana, 2004 Paolo Scavino Barolo Carobric, 2008 Produttori del Barbaresco Ovello Riserva
2005 Domenico Clerico Barolo Pajana
First time I've had a Pajana that I can remember. It is a south-facing vineyard in the Ginestra cru.
Opened and aerated in bottle for several hours, then decanted. Fascinating to follow its evolution over the course of around 7 hours.
The first few hours, it echoed my past experiences with younger Clerico wines: iron fist in a velvet glove. Beautiful upfront fruit framed with an elegant tannic structure. With air, the firm tannins softened somewhat, and instead of shutting down, the wine began to open up.
Delicious black fruit with tar, iron and tobacco accents. Toward the end of the evening, an inner sweetness began to reveal itself, providing a glimpse of a very bright future. Would love to taste this again in 5 years and then again in 10 years.
This ended up being the favorite wine of the evening. The elegant structure rivets your attention and complements food so well.
Here are two wonderful articles on Domenico Clerico and his wines:
https://www.vinous.com/articles/a-conversation-with-domenico-clerico-may-2007
https://www.vinous.com/articles/remembering-domenico-clerico-jul-2017
2004 Paolo Scavino Barolo Carobric
The classic nature of the 2004 vintage is on full display here. This is a blend from Cannubi, Rocche di Castiglione and Bric del Fiasc vineyards. It's in the zone now and very enjoyable. Plush texture, alluring nose and tasty fruit with tar, tobacco and sous bois. Very satisfying on its own merits, but lacking the structure to make things truly interesting.
2008 Produttori del Barbaresco Ovello Riserva
Very forward and surprisingly soft structure. Irresistible black fruit, sous bois, truffle and mellow spice. This is delightfully savory, but somewhat lacking in traditional framework and typicity. Drink within the next 5 years.
Paired these wines with ...
Spicy sausage and swiss chard pizza
Pancetta, mushroom and egg pizza
First time I've had a Pajana that I can remember. It is a south-facing vineyard in the Ginestra cru.
Opened and aerated in bottle for several hours, then decanted. Fascinating to follow its evolution over the course of around 7 hours.
The first few hours, it echoed my past experiences with younger Clerico wines: iron fist in a velvet glove. Beautiful upfront fruit framed with an elegant tannic structure. With air, the firm tannins softened somewhat, and instead of shutting down, the wine began to open up.
Delicious black fruit with tar, iron and tobacco accents. Toward the end of the evening, an inner sweetness began to reveal itself, providing a glimpse of a very bright future. Would love to taste this again in 5 years and then again in 10 years.
This ended up being the favorite wine of the evening. The elegant structure rivets your attention and complements food so well.
Here are two wonderful articles on Domenico Clerico and his wines:
https://www.vinous.com/articles/a-conversation-with-domenico-clerico-may-2007
https://www.vinous.com/articles/remembering-domenico-clerico-jul-2017
2004 Paolo Scavino Barolo Carobric
The classic nature of the 2004 vintage is on full display here. This is a blend from Cannubi, Rocche di Castiglione and Bric del Fiasc vineyards. It's in the zone now and very enjoyable. Plush texture, alluring nose and tasty fruit with tar, tobacco and sous bois. Very satisfying on its own merits, but lacking the structure to make things truly interesting.
2008 Produttori del Barbaresco Ovello Riserva
Very forward and surprisingly soft structure. Irresistible black fruit, sous bois, truffle and mellow spice. This is delightfully savory, but somewhat lacking in traditional framework and typicity. Drink within the next 5 years.
Paired these wines with ...
Spicy sausage and swiss chard pizza
Pancetta, mushroom and egg pizza