2006 Giovanni Sordo Barolo Perno Castiglione Falletto Riserva

 14% abv

Raised in Slavonian oak botti
Southeastern vineyard orientation at 325m above sea level.
Irresistible deep black cherry palate with accents of earth, sottobosco and goudron. Lengthy finish that explodes with lip smackingly delicious, finely burnished tannins. With extended aeration,  an alluring nose of violets develops.
Wonderful now with air, peaking in another 3 to 5 years.
First time I've come across this producer. This is an excellent Riserva Barolo.

2018 Giuseppe Quintarelli Bianco Secco Cá Del Merlo

 12.5% abv

Garganega, Trebbiano Toscano, Sauvignon Bianco, Chardonnay, Saorin

30 year old vines on limestone and basalt

What is it about the white wines of Northern Italy that make them so satisfying?

This is a jewel of a wine... wafts of honeysuckle on the nose... tropical palate with a subtle viscosity on the finish.

Cá del Merlo translates to House of the Blackbird, I think.

Great cigar and Bourbon

 One of life's little pleasures... a nice Habana Bolivar and Bourbon !

2007 Mas de Boislauzon Chateauneuf-du-Pape

 Tasty. Coming into its own now with full black fruit complemented by garrigue, spice and a solid underpinning of minerality. Deft combination of mostly Grenache with some Mourvedre. This has at least another 5 to 7 years of prime drinking window.  Around 13% abv. Not particularly elegant,  but precise... no heat... food friendly. Interesting bits of tertiary development at this stage.

2010 Domaine Pierre Usseglio CdP Cuvée de mon Aïeul

 Crystalline elegance in a glass. Rich grenache (I thought a dollop of Mourvedre, but it's all Grenache) with an endless finish. Pure and seductive. Wow!

Similar quality of super - refined fruit and texture as found in the 2010 Booker Ripper,  which is a fantastic bottle of Grenache.  

I think there is some whole cluster at work here with the depth of flavor.

Drink one now to taste this stuff and hold the rest for future glory.