2015 Clos Windsbul Gewürztraminer, Domaine Zind-Humbrecht

2015 Clos Windsbul Gewürztraminer, Domaine Zind-Humbrecht

A very fine wine, but...

The nose is deep, compact and multi layered with gorgeous notes of lychee, autumn yellow apples, hay, nuts and detergents. Very complex.

The taste is rich and concentrated with notes of ripe flowers, lemon pie, warm gravel and hay. The finish goes on an on. 

But... what is it? What to pair it with? The nose indicate a semi sweet wine, the intial taste is semi dry and the end finish is dry. A wine for contemplation. But I guess more than one will be surprised when opening a bottle, expecting to find a dry food wine.

94p   (tasted 2024/05)

Masterclass With Adam Tolmach

Adam Tolmach, the founder of the Ojai estate was in Stockholm. As usual he talked about his wines with humour and seriousness, it is always a treat to listen to him. Thanks to Divine for the invite!

Flight I

2023 Estate White

Adam experiments with hybrid grapes with UC Davis, planted in 2017. Two of them, Ambulo and Caminante makes up this wine. The nose is cool and gravelly with discreet notes of black currant leaves and dried passionfruit.

The taste is stony and dry with the same black currant leaves as on the nose. A tad foursquare in the finish.

86p   (tasted 2024/05)

2023 McGinley Sauvignon Blanc

A nice depth with notes of grass, summer gravel and assorted yellow fruits. Very, very good.

The taste is tight and crisp with notes of white currants, grass and gooseberries. A very fine acidity.

90p   (tasted 2024/05)

2022 Kick On Dry Riesling

Adam informed that there was some botrytis this year but the wine is fermented out completely dry. A very interesting nose with notes of dried apricots, gasoline, ripe lemons and gravel. Very fine.

The taste is high and pure with luscious fruit, very fine lemon fruit and a long, lingering finish. Great.

93p   (tasted 2024/05)

2016 McGinley Sauvignon Blanc

A cool, restrained nose with notes of asparagus, dry grass and lemon peel. Very, very good.

The taste is dry and structured with notes of lemon peel, grass and gravel. Linear and fine.

88p   (tasted 2024/05)

Flight II

2021 Puerta del Mar SE Chardonnay

A low keyed, refined nose with notes of lemon cream, matchbox and warm summer road dust. Very fine.

The taste is fresh and racy with notes of lemon candy, cap gun smoke and grass. Handome acidity.

93p   (tasted 2024/05)

2021 Rancho Ontivers Chardonnay

A very restrained and a bit ungaunly nose with notes of, if you swirl the glass heartily, iron, lemon peel and dry grass.

The taste is more expressive with a fine lemon fruit and a fine acidity. Long and lean. This will need time. 

89p   (tasted 2024/05)

2017 Puerta del Mar SE Chardonnay

The 7 year old Puerta del Mars steals the Chardonnay show, with a deep, elegant nose with notes of cookie dough, lemon cream and yellow flowers. Very fine.

The taste is layered and somewhat mature with notes of lemon fudge, steel and a fine smoky note. Lovely.

94p   (tasted 2024/05)

2016 Bien Nacido Chardonnay

A deep, smoky nose with notes of dried up vanilla ice cream, asphalt and fir smoke. Very, very good.

The taste is tight and still on the young side of things with notes of lemon cake, freshly cut grass and fudge. Rich and fine.

91p   (tasted 2024/05)

Flight III

2022 Santa Barbara Pinot Noir

The grapes comes from three different sites. The nose is fine and earthy with notes of chrushed raspberries, asphalt and herbs. 

The taste is cool and elegant with notes of ripening raspberries, licorice and forest floor. A light, fine acidity.

89p   (tasted 2024/05)

2021 Kessler Haak Pinot Noir

A deep, meaty Pinot nose with fine earthy scents and additional notes of overripe strawberries, smoke and herbs.

The taste is nicely concentrated with notes of ripe raspberries, fried herbs and tobacco. Very, very good. 

91p   (tasted 2024/05)

2022 Fe Ciega Discipulo Pinot Noir

There is a darker character, in style that of a fine Barbera, with notes of ripe raspberries, smoke, fried herbs and a moist forest floor. Lovely.

The taste is structured and fine with depth, intensity and sweet, red fruit. Very handsome. 

94p   (tasted 2024/05)

2012 Fe Ciega Pinot Noir

This 12 year old Fe Ciega displays a deep, open nose with notes of dried meat, dried raspberries, mushrooms and mocha. Very fine.

The taste is still focused and concentrated with notes of dried strawberries, moist earth, tobacco and a fine balsamic note. 

93p   (tasted 2024/05)

Flight IV

2022 Estate Red

Another hybrid grape is Paseante Noir. The nose is cool and Dolcetto styled with notes of blueberries, ink and violets.

The taste is tight with stern tannins, a dry finish and notes of damsons, violets and earth.

87p   (tasted 2024/05)

2022 Santa Barbara Syrah

A high, pure nose with notes of blackberries, smoke, violets and herbs. Lovely fruit. Very deep.

The taste is structured and refined with notes of ripe blueberries, fir wood, asphalt and black pepper. Very long. Will be released on the monopoly in August.

93p   (tasted 2024/05)

2021 Roll Ranch Syrah

The first vintage of Roll Ranch was 1995. The 2021 version offers up a spicy, peppery nose with notes of violets, tires, asphalt and blackberries. Very fine.

The taste is pure and ripe with notes of damsons, violets, tobacco and spices. Very, very long. Really fine.

95p   (tasted 2024/05)

2012 Roll Ranch Syrah

A deep, meaty nose with some mature traits and notes of blackberries, fir wood, gasoline and a touch of mint.

The taste is nicely structured with notes of peppered meat, herbs, tiles and dried blueberries. Long, warm and fine.

92p   (tasted 2024/05)

2021 Langhe Nebbiolo, Rivetto

2021 Langhe Nebbiolo, Rivetto

A dark, earthy nose with notes of strawberries cooked in balsamic vinegar, asphalt, fir smoke and forest floor. High and interesting.

The taste is upfront and a bit burly but the fruit is sweet and fine, there are some silky tannins and the finish is long and juicy, in all a very good LN.

89p   (tasted 2024/05)

2017 Dolcetto d´Alba Santo Stefano di Perno, Giuseppe Mascarello

2017 Dolcetto d´Alba Santo Stefano di Perno, Giuseppe Mascarello

Last tasted two years ago - Barolista: 2017 Dolcetto d´Alba Vigna Santo Stefano di Perno, Giuseppe Mascarello - this gem has got even better.

The nose is deep and hedonistic with gorgeous notes of cranberries, sweet/sour cherries, violets and detergents, in a very complex way.

The taste is racy and refined with notes of violets, cranberries, iron and licorice. High and fine. Silky tannins. Lovely.

94p   (tasted 2024/05)

A Barolo Boys Get Together With 15 Bottles Of Barolo

The Barolo Boys got together a couple of weeks ago with some hang arounds, who sat in awe over the Barolo Boys immense knowledge and noble characters... 

Flight I

1982 Barolo Cannubi, Serio & Battista Borgogno

A deep, mature nose with notes of plums, cold coffee, violets and moist earth. Very, very good.

The taste is mature and dry with very fine red dried fruits, Langhe earth and fir wood. Long.

90p   (tasted 2024/04)

1982 Barolo Vigna La Delizia, Fontanafredda

A very deep, sweet nose with notes of dried mushrooms, coffee powder, mocha and dried cherries. 

The taste is round and generous with a fine warmth, dried strawberries, sugared coffee and a long, fresh finish.

92p   (tasted 2024/04)

1982 Barolo Riserva La Serra, Gianni Voerzio

A warm, muffled nose with notes of undergrowth, dried plums, old chocolate and earth. 

The taste is rich and warm with notes of dried cherries, violets and sugared coffee. 

88p   (tasted 2024/04)

Flight II

2005 Barolo Margheria, Luigi Pira

A tight, focused nose with notes of hard cherry candy, violets, minerals and dried black flowers. Very fine.

The taste is concentrated and fine with still perky tannins and fine black fruit. Very long. 6+ years.

92p   (tasted 2024/04)

2005 Barolo Dagromis, Gaja

A very deep nose with notes of ripe black cherries, expensive leather, a hockey puck and coffe. Lovely.

The taste is seedy and structured with notes of violets, tobacco, fir wood and ripe cherries. Tight tannins. Very long. 8+ years.

93p   (tasted 2024/04)

2005 Barolo Sori Ginestra, Conterno Fantino

A forest filled nose with additional notes of violets, licorice and asphalt. Some fir wood notes in the background.

The taste is inky and concentrated with notes of bakelite, violets and hard cherry candy. Tough tannins. 8+ years.

90p   (tasted 2024/04)

Flight III

2001 Barolo Pressenda, Marziano Abbona

A very deep, somewhat mature nose with notes of dried strawberries, Langhe earth, licorice and dried flowers. Very, very good.

The taste is elegant and rather low keyed with semi mature fruit, silky tannins and a long, warm finish.

91p   (tasted 2024/04)

2001 Barolo Cannubi, E. Pira

A gorgeous, multi layered nose with notes of dried cherries, rosehips, asphalt and fine tobacco. Very deep.

The taste is structured yet sappy and lush with notes of dried up cherry jam, forest floor, red beets and leather. The finish goes on and on. Great wine.

95p   (tasted 2024/04)

2001 Barolo Bricco Boschis, Cavallotto

An almost perfect nose with intensity, balance and depth. Fine notes of ripe cherries, stale coca-cola, forest floor, dried flowers and fir wood. 

The taste follows the nose flawlessly, ethereal notes of cherry licorice, asphalt, forest floor and coffee. Just stunning.

97p   (tasted 2024/04)

Flight IV

2005 Barolo Mosconi, Conterno Fantino

A young, structured nose with notes of rosehips, mahogany, hard cherry candy and hot gravel. Deep and fine.

The taste is concentrated and rich with lots of cherry fruit, broad tannins and a long finish. Needs 7+ years.

92p   (tasted 2024/04)

2014 Barolo V. Lazzairasco, Guido Porro

A finely tuned, juicy nose with notes of ripening red currants, minerals and forest floor. Light in a positive sense.

The taste is medium bodied and fresh with notes of dried strawberries, gravel and rosehips. Very, very good in a drink-me-now kind of way.

89p   (tasted 2024/04)

2015 Barolo, Margherita Otto

A tight, focused nose with notes of sour/sweet cherries, tobacco, forest floor and Langhe earth. Very young and restrained.

The taste is cool and tight with locked up fruit, some ungainly tannins and a long, distinct finish. Needs plenty of time.

89p   (tasted 2024/04)

2004 Barolo Le Coste, Giacomo Grimaldi

A forest filled nose with notes of mushrooms, moist earth, tobacco and dried cherries. Very, very good.

The taste is round and nicely mature with notes of licorice, cherries and damp forest floor. A long, silky finish.

91p   (tasted 2024/04)

2010 Barolo Villero, Brovia

Somethings wrong here, high and volatile with a fiery, foursquare finish.

Not rated   (tasted 2024/04)

2019 Barolo Castelletto, Raineri

The hang arounds offered up this as a final wine. The nose is pure and high with notes of ripening red cherries, roses, minerals and leather. Very fine.

The taste is young and refined with a gorgeous red currants/cherry fruit, sand, coffee and fir wood. Luscious and lively. 

92p   (tasted 2024/04)

2017 Dogliani, Cascina Corte

2017 Dogliani, Cascina Corte

A fine, open nose with notes of blueberries, damsons, herbs and iron. A fine scent of dry licorice. Very good.

The taste is tight and fresh with notes of bakelite, blueberries and salmiak. A dry, fine finish. Drink now and the coming 7+ years.

87p   (tasted 2024/05)

2002 Crozes-Hermitage, Guigal

2002 Crozes-Hermitage, Guigal

A light, earthy, still fresh nose with notes of violets, dry sausage and dried raspberries. Very good.

The taste is medium bodied and peppery with notes of herbs, violets and dried meat. Holding up fine in the glass.

87p   (tasted 2024/05)

2018 Barolo Pernanno, Cascina Bongiovanni

2018 Barolo Pernanno, Cascina Bongiovanni

The Pernanno MGA is 15,98 ha big and is planted almost exclusively with Nebbiolo. The first vintage with Pernanno on the label was a 1991 Francesco Sobrero.

The nose is open and earthy with notes of raspberries, coffee, tobacco and a wonderful Lange earth scent.

The taste is young and silky with cool tannins and notes of cranberries, rosehips, tobacco and violets. Very fine. 6+ years.

Notes from my visit to the estate - Barolista: A Couple Of Days In Piedmont - Visit To Cascina Bongiovanni

93p   (tasted 2024/05)

2004 Barolo Vigna Giachini, Fratelli Revello

2004 Barolo Vigna Giachini, Fratelli Revello

A very nicely matured, deep nose with notes of mocha, licorice, bonfire smoke, black cherries and forest floor. A very fine sweetness to the fruit.

The taste is round and generous with lovely black dried fruit, tobacco, dried flowers and smoke. Bottles like this should be drunk within 8 years. Bought at the estate in 2008 when the brothers run the estate together, no there is two estates - Fratelli Revello and Carlo Revello - both makes a Giachini.

92p   (tasted 2024/05)

Tasting Some Wines From Rose & Arrow

A couple of days ago I got the opportunity, through Fine Wine Service - www.finewineservice.se - to taste some bottles from Rose & Arrow, a estate located in Oregon, focusing on Pinot Noir, although they make a Chardonnay since 2020. A relatively new venture, their first vintage was 2016.

Info here - https://rosearrowestate.com/

We got to taste the wines below and experience the difference between the 2021 and 2020 vintage and listen to winemaker Felipe Ramirez.

2021 Chardonnay

The Chardonnay grapes comes from Eola Amity Hills. The wine spends 17 months of its lees, of which 11 are in barrels. No battonage. 

The nose is young, smoky and gorgeous, with notes of lemon cream, flint and yellow flowers. Very handsome.

The taste is high and seedy with lots of chrushed rocks, lovely lemon fruit, a pearcing acidity and a minute long finish. Great wine. 

95p   (tasted 2024/05)

2020 Chardonnay

The 2020, the first vintage of the Chardonnay, is denser and a tad warmer on the nose, with notes of lemon fudge, bonfire smoke and yellow apples. A very fine perfumed scent.

The taste is tight and chalky with notes of candied lemon peel, chrushed rocks and a touch of apricots. Very long.

93p   (tasted 2024/05)

2011 Red Label Village

This is the first vintage of this blend from different plots in Williamette Valley. The nose is light and low keyed with notes of earth, smoke in a distance and red currants. Nice.

The taste is fresh and fine with cool, spicy red fruit, crisp tannins and medium long finish. Very good but, like some high end Burgundy producers Bourgogne Rouge, not worth the tariff.

89p   (tasted 2024/05)

2021 Riverline Pinot Noir

A elegant, red fruited nose with notes of ripening raspberries, herbs, earth and dry licorice. Very, very good.

The taste is young and focused with notes of raspberries, iron and spices. Withdrawn. Long and fine. 

91p   (tasted 2024/05)

2020 Riverline Pinot Noir

The 2020 version of Riverline shows of a deep, meaty nose with notes of smoke, bay leaves, tobacco and raspberry licorice. Open and invating, but with lots more to display with some bottle age.

The taste is rich and focused with notes of spicy raspberries, Christmas spices and damp earth. Long and lingering.

93p   (tasted 2024/05)

Photo from finewineservice

2021 Hopewell Hills Pinot Noir

A finely tuned, refined nose with notes of ripe red currants, black tea and root vegetables. Very fine.

The taste is cool and restrained with notes of iron, red currants, assorted herbs and forest floor. Needs time, will evolve beautifully.

93p   (tasted 2024/05)

2020 Hopewell Hills Pinot Noir

Ooh boy! The nose is decadent yet refined with gorgeous notes of ripe raspberries, tobacco, smoke and cooked root vegetables. Lovely.

The taste is more tight than the nose leads you to believe. Brilliant fruit, a solid structure, handsome tannins and a minute long finish.

95p   (tasted 2024/05)

2021 Gathered Stones Pinot Noir

The two Gathered Stones are world class wines. The 2021 opens up with a refined, layered nose with notes of wild strawberries, fresh herbs, forest floor and incense. Stunning.

The taste is rich and multi layered with notes of raspberries, smoke, tobacco and spices. Goes on and on and on.

95p   (tasted 2024/05)

2020 Gathered Stones Pinot Noir

Just breathtaking. The nose is to die for - deep, hedonistic and sensual with notes of perfectly ripe raspberries, licorice, a forest on a autumn walk after a light rain and incense, like the benches in an old church.

The taste is just brilliant with fruit, tannins and acidity in perfect harmony. This just needs another 6-10 years. Like drinking silk, but with an attitude. 

97p   (tasted 2024/05)

2008 Barolo La Moza, Terre da Vino

2008 Barolo La Moza, Terre da Vino

A earthy, low keyed nose with notes of dry licorice, tobacco and anonymous red fruit. Good.

The taste is dry ans earthy with notes of red currants, leather and dried flowers. Better on the palate.

84p   (tasted 2024/04)

2013 Barolo Roggeri, Alessandria Crissante

2013 Barolo Roggeri, Alessandria Crissante

A dark, fine nose with notes of dried strawberries, forest floor, coffee and spices. Very fine.

The taste is young and forward with notes of cherries, rosehips, tar and coffee. A very fine finish. 7+ years.

Notes from my visit to Crissante - https://barolista.blogspot.com/2022/10/a-couple-of-days-in-piedmont-visit-to_28.html

92p   (tasted 2024/05)