2006 Tuscany - Seven Bottles

Our last monthly tasting were hosted by Håkan C. Seven decanters hit the table and the guessing game began.
Tasted double blind.

2006 Chianti Classico Riserva Il Poggio, Monsanto
A still young, fresh, seedy nose with notes of red cherries, gravel and herbs. Very, very good. A fine, linear note. Racy.
The taste is tight and fresh with notes of lingonberries, red cherries, dusty earth and dry rosemary. A very fine acidity. Still young, will need another 3-5 years.
90p   (tasted 2017/02)

2006 Chianti Classico Riserva Rancia, Felsina
Again, very young and fresh, with notes of ripening blueberries, red cherries, rosehips and dusty earth. A fine warmth. Very, very good.
The taste is seedy and fine with notes of ripe cherries, warm tiles, cigarette ash and herbs. A medium long, distinct finish. Will need 5+ years.
90p   (tasted 2017/02)

2006 Cepparello, Isole e Olena
A dry, seedy nose with notes of red cherries, violets, leather and a fine perfumed note. A fine warmth. Youngish. Very good.
The taste is seedy and tight with notes of fried herbs, cooked cherries, liquorice and earth. A long, somewhat sturdy finish.
87p   (tasted 2017/02)

2006 Fontalloro, Felsina
A young, fruity nose with notes of blueberries, ripe black cherries, tobacco and a touch of cocoa. Deep and fine. Very, very good.
The taste is tight, dry and fine with notes of warm earth, ripe cherries, bakelite and liquorice. A touch ascetic but very good. Long.
89p   (tasted 2017/02)

2006 Nemo, Monsanto
This 100% Cabernet Sauvignon shows a open, warm and a touch volatil nose with notes of ripe blueberries, moist earth, tobacco and a warm barnyard. A bit loose around the edges.
The taste is warm and open with notes of ripe black currants, tobacco and scorched earth. A good structure but a bit on the warm side.
84p   (tasted 2017/02)

2006 Camartina, Querciabella
A tight, concentrated nose with notes of ripe blueberries, dark cherries and chocolate wafers. Very deep and fine. 70 % Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Sangiovese, first vintage 1981.
The taste is structured and ripe with notes of sweet cherries, cigarette ash, gravel and herbs. A long, seedy finish with a very fine acidity. Really good. Give this 3+ years.
92p   (tasted 2017/02)

2006 Dofana, Carpineta
An odd grape mix - 50% Sangiovese and 50% Petit Verdot - makes up a truly wonderful wine. Only 5000 bottles made each year. The nose is deep and profound with lovely notes of sun warm rocks, ripe blueberries, sandel wood  and ripe flowers. Very, very fine.
The taste is fresh and focused with a lightness and elegance and additional notes of blueberries, flowers, smoke and herbs. Very long and beautiful. A high acidity. Great wine.
94p   (tasted 2017/02)

Friday Dinner Barolo - 1993 Barolo Vigneti Brunate, Francesco Borgogno

Succulent fillets of veal, fried cauliflowers with bacon and a red wine sauce made out of Barolo left overs, made up this Friday dinner.
What to open?
How about another bottle from the underrated vintage of 1993? Since nobody else (well almost) is interested in this vintage, I keep snapping these bottles up for virtually nothing. I paid 20 Euro for this one...

1993 Barolo Vigneti Brunate, Francesco Borgogno
The nose is deep, mature and meaty with notes of dried up cherry jam, dried mushrooms, bonfire, violets and asphalt. Rich and fine. A very fine dried up sweetness. Some animal scents. Very good.
The taste is tight, dry and mature with notes of dried black currants, rosehips, violets and dry liquorice. Long, sandy and fine. A fine warmth. Very, very good. A fully mature Barolo, and drinking fine tonight.
88p   (tasted 2017/02)

2013 Paré, Canavese

2013 Paré, Canavese
This Nebbiolo from Carema shows a light, fragrant nose with notes of sour cherries, cool tobacco, rose petals and a hint of soap. Some sweet lingonberries. Light and nice.
The taste is initially easy going and light with notes of ripening red cherries, dry gravel and dried flowers. The acidity is high and makes the ending a tad dry. Not that harmonious. The nose is better.
82p   (tasted 2017/02)

2013 California Cabernet - Part Two

Some more 2013 Cabernet´s tasted, in Florida and at home.

2013 Cabernet Sauvignon, Louis M Martini  (Napa Valley)
The Alexander Valley from Louis M Martini got a rave review from Decanter but I couldn´t find it, so I had to settle with the Napa version. Poor me. :-)
The nose that flows out from the glass is a classic upfront, sweet Cabernet version, with notes of ripe black currants, graphite, chocolate and coffee. Very good in a in-your-face kind of way.
The taste however, is more restrained and focused, with notes of black currants, blueberries, warm gravel, cold coffe and a fine perfumed note. A fine long finish with sandy tannins. Very, very good.
89p   (tasted 2017/02)

2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve, Shannon Ridge  (Lake County)
A deep, cool nose with some light meaty aromas and additional notes of ripe red and black currants, damsons, ink and iron. Complex and fine. Some warm violets after a while. Really good. Very balanced.
The taste is tight and intense with notes of ripe blueberries, violets, iron and a very fine sandy note. Very long and seedy. A very own character, and a really good one. Sandelwood. This I like. Would love to a case of this to follow over the next decade. A bargain for 31 dollar.
93p   (tasted 2017/02)

2013 Cabernet Sauvignon, Rodney Strong  (Alexander Valley)
This got a strong review in the Decanter article, and I can only agree. I haven´t associated Rodney Strong with quality on a higher level, but this bottle showed me that they can produce really good stuff.
The nose is dark and broading with fine notes of ripe blueberries, ash, roasted coffee and violets. Very deep and fine. Evolves nicely over the evening.
The taste is rich and tight with notes of black currants, violets, ink and a touch of bonfire. Very long, very structured and very fine. Give this 5+ years and it will be even better.
91p   (tasted 2017/02)

2013 Magnificat, Franciscan Estate  (Napa Valley)
This 73% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot, 2%Malbec and 1% Cabernet Franc blend sports a big, black, open nose with notes of plums, black currants, beet root juice, sugared coffee and a hint of cinnamon. Deep, multi layered and complex. Very, very fine.
The taste is strong and steady with notes of ripe black fruit, graphite, black coffee and hot rocks. A long, concentrated finish with polished tannins. Lots of potential here. Again, would love to have more of this.
92p   (tasted 2017/02)

1987 Abbazia di Propezzano

Bought for a song from a reliable source in Italy. But what is it? The farm is 20 ha and has a long history, inside the Colline Teramane DOCG zone. The back label says that it is made out of Montepulciano and Sangiovese, but not the division between the two.

1987 Abbazia di Propezzano
A big, warm and spicy nose greets you when you put the nose in the glass, with additional notes of dried raspberries, violets, dusty earth and dried up mulled wine. Mature, round and good.
The taste is dry, mature and rich with notes of dried red cherries, dusty earth, herbs and some bonfire notes. Long and warm. Mature and drinking well. Very good.
86p   (tasted 2017/01)

Friday Dinner Barolo - 2004 Barolo, Patrizi

Friday again. Barolo again!

2004 Barolo, Patrizi
Popped and poured. At first, a somewhat dusty nose, but with it air it evolves nicely into a dark, tight, deep nose with notes of dried cherries, raspberry chocolate, rosehips, undergrowth and a hint of maturity. Very good.
The taste is tight, seedy and warm with notes of cooked cherries with a hint of star anise, raspberry liquorice, dry chocolate and rosehips. A long, warm finish with some old fashioned rugged tannins. Drinking fine today with meatballs, pasta and a rich tomato sauce. Will hold well for another 6+ years.
88p   (tasted 2017/02)

2013 California Cabernet - Part One

Two weeks ago, on our way to Florida, I picked up the lastest issue of Decanter (February 2017). Inside it was a panel tasting of 2013 California Cabernets - 191 wines tasted.
Christian Moueix was qouted, describing 2013 as "the vintage of a lifetime".
I got interested...

Since I was about to spend over a week in Florida, I opted for tasting some 2013´s, so when raiding the wine shops I only looked for that vintage (I always gotta have some sort of project...).

These are the first I came up with, more to follow.

2013 Cabernet Sauvignon, Charles Krug  (Napa Valley)
The first 2013 shows of a big, warm, open nose with notes of ripe black currants sprinkled with black pepper, tobacco, plums and iron. Rich and rewarding. Very, very good in a upfront way.
The taste is deep, warm and spicy with notes of plums, black currants, graphite and asphalt. A long, warm finish with sandy tannins. Should develop nicely over the coming 2-4 years.
90p   (tasted 2017/02)

2013 Cabernet Sauvignon, Markham Vineyards  (Napa Valley)
A stunner from the first pour until the last drop. The nose soars up from the glass with lovely aromas of spicy black currants, lead pencil shavings, sun warm rocks and a perfumed note with a floral overtone. Refined and beautifuly crafted.
The taste is young, cool and concentrated with notes of perfectly ripe black currants, warm tiles, graphite and dries flowers. The finish is long, intense and balanced with lots of fine tannins behind the sweet fruit. This I would love to have plenty of.
95p   (tasted 2017/02)

2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Heritage Vineyards, Encore  (Lodi)
This was recommended by the owner of a wine shop - "the one I sell the most of and is of great value". I should have known better... Ok, the value part I get, it cost 10 dollars, and for that you get an upfront, warm (almost hot) wine with lots of plums and bonfire on the nose and a sluggish taste with notes of burnt rubber, meat and cooked black fruit. Not as bad as it sounds, with some grilled meat it worked alright.
83p   (tasted 2017/02)

2013 Atlas Peak Block 80 Cabernet Sauvignon Special Reserve, Vineyard Block Estate  (Napa Valley)
This wine with its long name sports a deep, resilient nose with lots of sweet black currants and additional notes of charcoal, dark chocolate and violets. Very fine. Some fried herbs after a while. Really deep. Just lovely.
The taste is pure and intense with ripe blueberries and black currants alongside notes of graphite, asphalt, new leather and hot earth. Very long and finely polished. Lots of potential here. Give it 3-5 years.
94p   (tasted 2017/02)

2014 Signature, Susana Balbo

2014 Signature, Susana Balbo
This 95% Malbec, 5% Petit Verdot blend offers up a warm. spicy nose with notes of ripe blueberries, violets, bonfire and some diesel oil scents. A fine warmth. A touch of bakelite. Very good.
The taste is young and tight with notes of damson, blueberries, violets and scorched earth. A long, warm finish with soft tannins and a fine acidity. Very, very good. Give it 3-4 years. A tasting sample from Valid Wines.
90p   (tasted 2017/01)

Just Bought

This gem arrived today. Tasted almost three years ago, and hopefully as good now as then.

Then & Now - 1974 & 2008 Barolo Vigna La Rosa, Fontanafredda

These two Barolo´s - 34 years apart - were drunk with a mushroom and truffle risotto the other day. Not bad I can tell you!

1974 Barolo Vigna La Rosa, Fontanafredda
As with these (almost) mature wines, they need time to open up. When opened it had a funky, damp nose, but with two hours in a decanter, it blossomed in to a beautiful mature Barolo.
The nose is deep, round and sweet with menthol spiked red cherries and additional notes of damp forest floor, cigarette ash, mushrooms and violets. Very complex and fine. Five hours after decanting it is bursting with ripe cherry fruit. Lovely.
The taste is round, rich and dry with notes of hard cherry candy, dried flowers, rosehips, tobacco and damp earth. Very long and mouth coating. It ends a tad on the dry side but with the risotto it played a fine harmony. In a great mature state. Nine years ago I thought of it as not yet mature. This bottle is, or, it will keep for another 5+ years, but I don´t think it will get better. It spreads a lot of joy on this evening.
92p   (tasted 2017/02)

2008 Barolo Vigna La Rosa, Fontanafredda
What a youngster! But a really promising one. This one needs a lot of time to open up. Decanted at the same time as the 74, and when I write this five hours have passed, and now it has start to sing.
The nose is high and pure with notes of ripe red currants, raspberry liquorice, bakelite and roses. Very fine. It has a fine depth. Some cool tobacco scents. Needs more time.
The taste is like eating hard cherry candy over and over again. Then there is some sturdy tannins that show themselves in the long finish. Lots of chrushed rocks. This will turn out fine, just give it, at least, 10 years.
91p   (tasted 2017/02)

Which of the two labels do you think is the most beautiful? Being a necrophiliac, I of course love the label of the 74. Not so much love for the 08. And when checking out Fontanafredda´s web page, they have changed the label on La Rosa about five times since the 74 was produced. Talk about consistency...

A Half Bottle Of Bordeaux - 2010 Château La Garde

A half bottle is, well, a half bottle... But if you have a couple of glasses of Champagne before, you could do with a half bottle. If it doesn´t happen to often...

2010 Château La Garde
This 7 year old Pessac-Léognan offers up a big, open nose with notes of dusty, yet ripe black currants, asphalt, sweet flowers and dark fudge. A creamy fruit. I like it. A fine ripeness. There is a hint of vanilla in the background. Still young.
The taste is tight and more backward than the nose leads you to believe, with notes of ripe red and black currants, graphite, wet tiles and forest floor. A fine, grainy finish with some perky tannins. Very, very good.
88p   (tasted 2017/01)

Three Bottles Of Madeira & One Port

These were tasted at our last monthly tasting group get together in December 2016. Thanks Håkan for the line up!
All tasted double blind.

Bual 15 Years Old, Henriques & Henriques
A deep, fairly sweet, mature nose with notes of furniture polish, dry nuts, liquorice and band aid. A bit cheesy from time to time. Good though. A fine depth.
The taste is big and warm with notes of figs in liquor, fried nuts, old chocolate and tar. The finish is a tad fiery. Good but lacks some balance.
85p   (tasted 2016/12)

2000 Boal, Henriques & Henriques
This Single Harvest Boal (note the difference between the spelling of the 15 year and this - Bual and Boal) sports a tight, focused nose with notes of dried orange peel, wet ash, old leather gloves and some interesting dog fur scents. Very complex and fine. Deep.
The taste is big and intense with notes of salmiak, candied orange peel, figs and sugared tea. A very, very long finish with a fine acidity. Very, very good.
89p   (tasted 2016/12)

Terrantez 20 Years Old, Henriques & Henriques
A intense, deep, handsome nose with notes of pickled ginger, ash, candied orange peel, band aid and salt liquorice. Very complex and fine. High and pure. Some Indian spices after a while. Really fine.
The taste is concentrated, tight and pure with notes of dry figs, fried nuts, band aid and orange peels. The finish goes on for minutes with a searing, lovely acidity. Great wine. A must buy.
94p   (tasted 2016/12)

1979 Colheita Port, Kopke
A mature, tight, almost compact nose with notes of figs, raspberry liquorice, hazelnut cream and chocolate. A fine sweetness. Very, very good.
The taste is big, concentrated and warm with notes of stale nuts, liquorice, glue and chocolate covered blueberries. A very long, warm finish. A fine structure. Really good.
90p   (tasted 2016/12)